Youth Ministry
Resources - Easter SundayYear
A: Easter SundayThe sad
reality is, that for most Australians, this weekend is about having a holiday.
Some of the littlest children who come for religious instruction can tell me about
My Restaurant Rules or Australian Idol and ask me if I like Robbie Williams but
they have not heard any Jesus stories. Yes, they have been baptised but unless
we share our understanding and experience of God with our children then they are
left in a vacuum. Today we hear of the amazement of resurrection. The wonder of
this reality is only matched by the actuality of the Incarnation - that God chose
to become human and be with us. After the last couple of days when we remembered
the Last Supper and the horror of Golgotha, like the disciples, we have experienced
the same tremendous sense of emptiness and loss. Then there is the enormity and
marvel of finding an empty tomb and rolled linen cloths. Unlike Mary Magdalene,
Peter and the insistent Thomas, we do not actually see, or feel or touch the risen
Lord, and yet we believe. I
have been spending some time with a family who have suddenly lost their mother.
In their angst and turmoil, they repeatedly cling to their faith in the resurrection.
What happens to the young people who have not heard of the resurrection? How will
they make sense of the challenges and losses they will face if they have not developed
a relationship with God. If they have not heard of God's forgiveness and love?
If they have not heard the sacred Scriptures? If they have not heard that there
is a place for them in the Church? If they have not heard of eternal peace? By
comparison, secular alternatives are empty and frequently destructive. It
is our belief in the resurrection that brings us to church this weekend. And so
it becomes our responsibility to pass on what we believe. Not just little bits,
as it suits, but the whole story. Not just one Sacrament, but a commitment to
immerse yourself into the community of God's Pilgrim People. Religion is not a
supermarket where you come and buy some parts that are attractive or convenient,
like a microwave meal or a pretty dress for First Communion. You don't show someone
you love, a glimpse of a great treasure without doing your best to procure that
treasure for them. Our faith in God is our greatest treasure and the good news
is that the more we share that treasure, the greater that treasure becomes. Cate
Mapstone
Year C: Easter SundayThe
sad reality is, that for most Australians, this weekend is about having a holiday.
Some of the littlest children who come for religious instruction can tell me about
Australian Idol and ask me if I like Robbie Williams but they have not heard any
Jesus stories. Yes, they have been baptised but unless we share our understanding
and experience of God with our children then they are left in a vacuum. Today
we hear of the amazement of resurrection. The wonder of this reality is only matched
by the actuality of the Incarnation - that God chose to become human and be with
us. After the last couple of days when we remembered the Last Supper and the horror
of Golgotha, like the disciples, we have experienced the same tremendous sense
of emptiness and loss. Then
there is the enormity and marvel of finding an empty tomb and rolled linen cloths.
Unlike Mary Magdalene, Peter and the insistent Thomas, we do not actually see,
or feel or touch the risen Lord, and yet we believe. I have been spending some
time with a family who have suddenly lost their mother. In their angst and turmoil,
they repeatedly cling to their faith in the resurrection. What happens to the
young people who have not heard of the resurrection? How
will they make sense of the challenges and losses they will face if they have
not developed a relationship with God. If they have not heard of God's forgiveness
and love? If they have not heard the sacred Scriptures? If they have not heard
that there is a place for them in the Church? If they have not heard of eternal
peace? By comparison, secular alternatives are empty and frequently destructive.
It is our belief in the resurrection that brings us to church this weekend. And
so it becomes our responsibility to pass on what we believe. Not just little bits,
as it suits, but the whole story. Not just one Sacrament, but a commitment to
immerse yourself into the community of God's Pilgrim People. You don't show someone
you love, a glimpse of a great treasure without doing your best to procure that
treasure for them. Our faith in God is our greatest treasure and the good news
is that the more we share that treasure, the greater that treasure becomes. Cate
Mapstone Youth
Ministry Resources Easter Sunday Click the Pope for more Youth
Ministry Resources. 
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