“I am…the living one.  I was dead, and see, I am alive for ever and ever” (NRSV, Revelation 1:17,18)

Today we catch the reflection of the thrilling joy which burst upon the apostles that Resurrection Day and scattered all their griefs.

Good Friday and Holy Saturday had been almost unbearable.  In helpless agony of mind they had forced themselves to witness the appalling torture which their Lord and Master had endured on Calvary, nailed up upon the Cross of terror and shame, and left there to hang and to die.  And, as if that were not enough, they had their own shameful part in the dreadful business to look back upon: one of themselves had betrayed him, a second had denied him, all had deserted him.