My Easter reflection this year talked about the message of the resurrection being a word of great hope and expectation for people in difficult circumstances, such as the Hebrews caught between the advancing Egyptian army and the Sea, and the people of Judah exiled in Babylon for seven decades. Despite this message of hope, however, … Continue reading Dealing with Desolation: Some Thoughts on Managing Pandemic Fatigue
[This Easter Sunday, I was asked to preach at a virtual family church service. Today's reflection is a tidied up version of my speaking notes.] Good morning and good afternoon, everyone. It's wonderful to be able to gather together like this — albeit virtually — to celebrate the biggest feast of the Christian year. At … Continue reading God’s New Thing: A Reflection for Easter 2021
And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation (Gen 2.2-3). We … Continue reading The Seventh Day: A Reflection for Holy Saturday 2021
This is how it ends. The joy of the incarnation, the surprising revelations at Jesus' baptism, the years of miraculous healings and heavenly teaching, of standing up to the authorities. The backlash, the intrigue, the betrayal, the conspiracy, the kangaroo court. This is how it ends. Jesus, dead, hanging on a cross. The world stands … Continue reading This Is How It Ends: A Reflection for Good Friday 2021
If you knew your time was up and you had one last opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for your friends and family, what would you do? What would you say? It's an interesting question to be sure, and one that is probably worth some contemplation. Whatever it is you would choose to say, you'd … Continue reading Famous Last Words: A Reflection for Maundy Thursday
Matthew Root 