A message of hope at Easter from Doncaster vicar Darren Reid

This is not how it should be. This week above all weeks our doors should be open for the celebration of Easter.

And it’s not just St. Peter’s in Doncaster that is closed, St. Peter’s in Rome is closed too. Every Church in the land of every Christian denomination is closed. Every Temple, Mosque, Synagogue and other places of worship are closed. This is not how it should be.

To any onlooker this might appear bleak and hopeless. And yet, although the doors are closed the Church is still alive. Many of us over the past few weeks have learned new skills. Masses are being celebrated through streaming on the internet. The rosary has been prayed over the phone. Great efforts have been made to reach out to others, and on Easter Sunday many millions will attend Mass via the internet. Alongside this people of all neighbourhoods and backgrounds have been helping and supporting one another. The elderly and weak have had their shopping done for them. Some have been on the phone to ‘call’ on someone who lives alone; and people have been praying. Prayers are being said for those who are in hospital, or in any form of need and for all those who care for them.

The doors may be closed, but people’s hearts are open. People are caring for each other and looking out for their neighbour, and this gives me hope.

At Easter time the world is presented with a message of hope. On Good Friday all appears lost. Good Friday tells us of death on a Cross and a body hastily laid to rest in a tomb. But this was not the end. On Easter Sunday morning before daylight a group of women approached that tomb and the stone at it’s entrance had been rolled away. Christ’s victory had been won.

Father Darren Reid, of St Peter-in-Chains Church

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