Easter Tuesday

A survey for the Mental Health Foundation has suggested that people are growing more and more anxious. A poll of 2,000 adults found 77% found the world more frightening than in 1999. The charity described a "culture of fear" in which the media and politicians fuelled a sense of unease. But one sociologist has said the campaign could become a "self-fulfilling prophecy" making people even more anxious. The report, In the Face of Fear, found more than a third of people say they get frightened or anxious more often than they used to. One of the reasons for the increased fear was the economic climate but the charity said it believed there were other factors at play. The report said "worst-case-scenario language" sometimes used by politicians, and others around issues such as knife-crime, MRSA, bird-flu and terrorism can also have a detrimental effect on people's wellbeing.

In the gospel, Mary Magadalene is faced with fear. The world is or must be a scary place for her. She has witnessed the most awful thing happening. Her hopes dashed, her heart broken, she stands at the place of death and weeps. She has every right to be scared it seems. And she too is guilty of using ‘worst case scenario language.’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she says, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ How on earth can things get better? All she has in the gardener to confide in. ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ he asks. ‘Who are you looking for?’ Maybe the gardener can help. ‘If you have taken him away,’ she replies, ‘please tell me where you have put him and I will go and remove him.’ And then one word from Jesus as he speaks her name. Then, and only then, does her fear fall away. Then and only then does her anxiety subside. Then and only then does she recognise Jesus.

We do live in a world in which there appears to be so much to be fearful about. Society changes, as it always changes, and very rarely do we think it changes for the better. We worry about so many things. We get anxious about so many factors. We know, from experience, that being a Christian, believing in Jesus, following Jesus, does not mean an easy life, a comfortable life, or a life that is cushioned from the tragedies and turmoil that come our way. Sometimes, in the midst of our fear, when we are close to tears or standing at the place of death, it may be difficult to see Jesus in the mess that we have found ourselves. But he is there, calling our name. His words lift us from the depths of despair and we, like Mary, are messengers, telling others what we have seen and heard.

Readings: Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18