The Easter Garden at St. Jude's Parish Church March 2008
The Peace of the Risen Jesus be with you
Peace be with you were the first words spoken by Jesus to his disciples on the evening of His resurrection. When you are in the presence of God you are in a place of peace. Peace comes from the presence of someone who made you in love and keeps you in grace, someone you can count on to be with you in all things. In such presence you have an inner calm that exceeds human understanding and measurement.

Are we peace makers in our community and family or are we so full of negative feelings that we find it hard to have peace within ourselves. When we have peace within ourselves which comes from God as He promised "Peace I leave you my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you" we can reach out in friendship and love and bring this peace to all we meet. Let us at this Easter time become more aware of the needs of others and by our actions reflect Gods love and peace.

A Crown of prickly thorns: was made at a moments notice from thorny bushes nearby to crown Jesus and humiliate Him in front of his followers.

A cup: "Father", Jesus said "if you are willing take this cup away from Me". Of course we know the Cup was merely a methopher for the horrendous suffering He was about to endure. We can also ask for our burdens to be taken from us.

Thirty Pieces of Silver: Judas is alledged to have betrayed Jesus in return for money. Are there times in our lives when we have betrayed people?

A Sandal: as Jesus was dragged roughly away He may have lost his sandal and a Handkerchief spotted with blood "and His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood"

A sponge on a reed: as He suffered on the Cross the Roman Soldiers held up a sponge with a pain killing mixture of herbs and vinegar but Jesus refused to take it. When are the times we have held out a helping hand to other people. Think of all the people who have helped us along our way.

Brightly coloured flowers: around the tomb a symbol of joy that Christ has Risen from the Dead. In the same way today we bring flowers to a funeral as we believe our loved ones who have died have now reached the Joy of Eternal Life.

Rosemary: Is for Remembrance. The pale blue flowers are associated with the Virgin Mary.

Red Daisies: under the cross represent "His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood"

Boxthorn Plant: is believed to have been the hedge from which the Crown of Thorns was made.

Peace Lilly: "Peace I leave you, my peace I give you" a symbol of the peace that comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus.