There are two other occasions in the Gospel record when Jesus is spoken of as being “in the midst”.  The first was on Calvary where, as St John tells us, “…they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst” (King James Bible, John 19:18, our emphasis).  Yes, the same Jesus who was raised again from the dead was once in the midst of this world’s suffering and pain, and himself shared it all to the full.

And that experience remained unforgettably part of him after his Resurrection, as he made plain to his Apostles on Easter Day when, as St Luke tells us, he “…himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you…Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself…” (RSV, Luke 24:36,39, our emphasis).