churchwarden Janet Vance

 

This most beautiful of Easter stories - from John’s Gospel - begins early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark. Mary comes to Christ’s tomb in darkness, still shocked by his death and feeling lost. She comes because she does not know where else to go or what else to do, she comes to grieve, to say goodbye, to try to let go, even though it’s the last thing she wants to do. As Barbara Brown Taylor observes, “No one is ever ready to encounter Easter until he or she has spent time in the dark place where hope cannot be seen.”

 

We have a lot in common with Mary today. Grief is a dark place to be and we have been shocked by Janet’s death. We come together to mourn, and to pay our respects, to say goodbye, to let go. This is indeed a time to weep and a time mourn, a time to remember and a time give thanks, a time to offer and receive comfort from one another, a time to come together as a community in recognition of what we have lost and the darkness we have known.

 

It is from that place of despair and vulnerability that Mary is healed and transformed through her encounter with the risen Christ. At first she does not recognise him - which gives us our first clue to the mystery that surrounds the transformation we undergo when we die - but in the speaking of her name, her life and world is transformed and she becomes the first first-hand witness of the resurrection.

 

In the speaking of one woman’s name, death is conquered and the whole word is transformed. Darkness turns to light, despair to hope, grief to joy and mourning to dancing. This is Easter; the cornerstone, the miracle at the very heart of the Christian faith.

 

Given the intimacy of this moment, Christ’s words, “Do not hold me . . .” can sound almost like rejection, but are just the opposite. They are an affirmation. Mary must let go so she can tell others the good news. She has a new role as first apostle of the resurrection. Mary must let go to allow this transformation to take full effect – the risen Christ must move on to transform others through the ascension and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Christianity is not an individual belief system but a faith to be lived and shared, freely and widely.

 

That faith was the cornerstone of Janet’s life – and we’ve learned much both yesterday evening and this morning of Janet’s loyalty and commitment, her strength of character and indomitable spirit, her sense of humour and zest for life, her work in the wider community and her commitment to young people. Janet faced many challenges and huge turning points in her life, and each time she met them head on and moved forward, rooted in her faith and reaching out to others.

 

Janet’s death is a huge turning point for us all. In so many ways it is the end of an era. But it is that same faith, that promise of resurrection and eternal life that offers us the courage and strength to let go and move on. It may not be easy, but it is the most fitting way to honour Janet’s life and memory – working together for the parish and community she loved with such passion. For we can find comfort, courage and strength in the promise that Janet is now safe in the embrace of God, that her spirit dances on, free of pain, struggle and disability; and bathed in love, light and laughter.

 

For this assurance, and for Janet, thanks be to God. Amen.