When we first founded the Spiritualists’ Society aka Church in Littleport – we realised that the acronym spelled out gladness – minus an e.
But that was enough for us! So ‘GLADN(e)SS’ was born!
Then we added in the word Christian that looked like it might change that happy sobriquet too! But it then became, appropriately, a silent C!
Appropriate because many of us know the meaningful motto that has hung on many a Christian wall.
It reads;
Christ is the Head of this house.
The unseen guest at every meal.
The silent listener to every conversation.
And as we know, the Holy Spirit is an unseen by us presence, but that we can feel is with and within us at those times when we become consciously aware of the need. Or when we open our hearts in prayer and have prayerful thoughts.
And Christ is the head of our meetings, would be present at the tea and biscuits afterwards, and would be listening to everything that was said while people are gathered together there.
This new season brings sadness and joy in equal measure as we lament the cruel Roman crucifixion of Jesus, but then realise with gladness that he defeated that physical death, in the most powerful demonstration of all time, that dying to this world is not the end.
Crucified on Friday, his body was laid in a tomb; this year it’s commemorated on March 30. On the Sunday it was discovered to be empty!
We celebrate the anniversary of that event on April 1. Easter Sunday
The New Testament. Matthew 28:1-10
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he[a] lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
On behalf of GLADN(e)SS, with our silent C – may this spring season bring you many blessings.