E-NEWS FRIDAY 10TH APRIL 2026
When thinking about what new I had to share this week my mind was dominated by the theme of doubt that the lectionary introduces for Sunday Easter 2. It is a post Easter thought that could mirror that of the disciples facing a future after the devastating execution of their inspiration. Here they are living in a world dominated by cohorts of legionnaires with their horses clanging brass implements and the creak of leather. All sounds of power and might that clash with the so-called Messiah who rides a donkey in opposition. And then the hero is executed and people begin to wonder if all this is true,
Here we are at the beginning of the post Easter life. trying to put answers to the events of life by being smart about it, We are challenged to find certainty to capture what is real as if it will banish our anxieties, We ignore the biggest threat to life that lurks in the superior narrow road of self-deception.
We worry that we may not know ourselves and that we may not fully understand nature or that our children might grow up without the skills they need to be successful. WE yearn for the popular book of answers or the extraordinary teacher. We place our hopes in new theories and technologies of learning and yet we still seem unable to accomplish the basic necessities, To build rich loving relationships raise well rounded children live in safe neighbourhoods and find happiness at work,
While the post Easter environment might be pre election time and politicians may not have the term of office all sorted out yet the Thomas story suggests I think that we might doubt everything that is said and done as a means of allowing us to avoid the road of self deception and hold politicians to an authenticity that allows them to avoid the superiority and the self deception that comes with power and control.
Maybe the Easter 2 message is that we should look ahead for everything that is there rather than just what we wish would be there. After all, anxiety in this case is nothing but fear inspired by an imagined future collapse. The Thomas story depicts a failure of trust and doubt encourages the possibility of romance, passion which includes occasional folly.
Happy Easter folks.
Rev Doug Lendrum
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/3d8c504b2679/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-10139881
