After the events of the past week, with Jesus’ arrest, trial, torture, mocking and crucifixion, no-one expected any good news. Often when we see our own press it would appear that only the worst things and the bad news are reported. We hardly expect to see something uplifting. 

This week's news

The best news of the week has to be the election of Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of her party in the first democratic elections in Burma for many years.

After such a long time in which democracy appeared dead and buried, what has happened is indeed a resurrection. It is hardly believable that the authorities have allowed this to happen.

In Britain David Cameron has discarded the idea from the Blair era of ‘not doing God’ and issued an Easter message.
His views are widely quoted elsewhere.
The well known commentator, Andrew Brown reflects on this.

In Britain, how far has the complacency of our own politicians been shaken by the election of George Galloway to Parliament to represent a largely Muslim electorate in a Bradford constituency. How had other politicians failed to respond to their concerns?

Reflection

As we celebrate the first appearance of the risen Christ to Mary Magdalene, we might consider the role of women as well as the male disciples in faith. The place of women will be explored in a forthcoming BBC series.

But then, when today’s New Testament lesson has Peter declare ‘God shows no partiality’ (Acts 10.34), this echoes the working out of the events of the Day of Pentecost when Peter quoted the prophet Joel (Acts 2.17-18) as announcing that

‘Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy...
Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit’.

An insignificant woman is the first witness of the new world which dawns with the resurrection of Jesus. The message is that Christianity is to be an inclusive faith, and David Cameron appears to reflect this in his Easter message.
However, not all Christians are happy with this view.

If the brave woman in Burma, the focus of people’s hopes for so many years, is at last able to take up a representative role by peaceful means and triumph against the might of the military, there is a real sign of hope for all. She has chosen to represent the poor and marginalised of her country in the nation’s parliament. Is the apparent change of heart by the military a response to the Arab Spring which began in Tunisia last year and rapidly spread to other countries with seemingly dictatorial regimes? And what of the people of Syria whose struggle continues? Is Burma a sign of hope for them?

Of course the Arab Spring has meant that seemingly ‘secular’ states have had to come to terms with the religion of their people, and at home Andrew Brown’s reflection on David Cameron points out that ‘governments in Europe will have to come to terms with religious belief’. In Cameron’s case that belief is inclusive. He is quoted as saying ‘In the book of Luke, we are told that Jesus said, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” – advice that when followed makes for a happier, and better society for everyone.’

Prayer

This Easter morning we celebrate the good news for the world.
My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

We give thanks for the resurrection of Jesus, and for the hope his risen life brings to the world...
My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

We pray for the Church of God, that we may recapture the mission of the first apostles to all...
My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

We pray for the nations of the world, and give thanks for the uplifting of the lowly and poor...
My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

We pray for justice for all peoples, and that the hungry may be filled with good things...
My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

We pray for all who suffer, that the cross they bear may at last come to Christ’s victory...
My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

We remember the departed and all who rest in Christ that they may share his resurrection...
My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

Amen.

Questions

See Andrew Brown’s quotation from the sociologist Charles Taylor.

• Is religion disappearing? What is your experience in relation this?
  
• How well do you think religion is responding to ‘the new atheism’?
• ‘An establishment that finds itself destabilised.’ How is this true in Middle Eastern countries, in Burma, in churches in Britain?

Action

How do we present our faith to the communities in which we live? What do we stand for? How does the resurrection of Jesus make the world different, and how can we show this difference?

Young People

Local elections are approaching. Look at what the candidates are saying. Collect and discuss their leaflets. Do you think they have a real vision for your community?

Tom Ambrose watches the press and worships in Cambridge.

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