An Easter message from the Dean of Norwich

The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock, shares a reflection for Easter.

Watch the video message above and read the full text below.

“The first Easter Day took place in a garden, the place where Jesus's body had been laid in the garden tomb.

St John, in his gospel, describes the moment when Mary Magdalene comes early to the garden and finds the stone rolled away from the tomb but the body of Jesus is no longer there.

There's then a beautiful moment of recognition as Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Christ.

John, in his gospel, describes it in these words:'Mary turned round and saw Jesus standing there but she did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to her: "Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?"

Supposing Him to be the gardener, Mary said to Him: "Sir, if you have carried Him away tell me where you have laid Him and I will take Him away."

Jesus said to her: "Mary."

She turned and said to him: "Rabboni!" which means Teacher.'

In her moment of loss and grief and disorientation, the risen Jesus comes to Mary and calls her by name, calls her to turn from death to life.

So, for us this Easter, the risen Jesus also comes to call us by name, comes to call us to turn towards life even amidst all the doubts and troubles that may perplex us and our world at this time.

The risen Jesus who calls Mary and who calls us is the one in whom there is Life and Love that even death itself cannot hold.

This is our Easter hope: our hope in Jesus, our risen Lord.”