Fulness

The biscuit tin was empty

The kids are hungry, but the fridge is empty

She dreaded coming home alone to an empty house

They felt empty inside after the death of their son

So often, when something is empty, it is bad news

We like things to be full

Come on in, I've just made tea

Eat up - there's plenty more

They were full of admiration

for the patient's courage

She was full to bursting with good news

And Jesus said,

"I have come so that you might have life,

life in all its fulness"

And the strange thing is that to give us life in all its fulness

the tomb had to be empty

empty apart from the grave clothes which had become superfluous

For in God’s great mercy, using the power which is his and his alone

he raised up his Son from death

claiming him back for the realms of glory

from which he had come especially to show the love of God

to all the world

- in his living

- in his dying

- in his rising again to glorious and eternal life

As scripture says,

“there is nothing in death or life

in the realm of spirits or superhuman powers

in the world as it is or the world as it shall be

in the forces of the universe, in heights or depths -

nothing in all creation that can separate us

from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Saviour"

And so we pray, dear God, for those who feel empty inside

and those whose pockets and food cupboards are empty

Fill them with your love

and use those who already know the fulness of your love

to share it with others through their words and actions

for in this way your Kingdom will be glimpsed on earth

through Jesus Christ our Lord

Amen