PCC News

As each species emerges in succession, they lift our spirits. Across the world, butterflies have represented spiritual rebirth, comfort and hope since ancient times.

This year we organised Easter discovery events for the two primary schools that serve part of our benefice. Pupils experienced the story of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection in different ways before making their own response in the form of cardboard butterflies that they decorated, adding prayers or messages of love and hope. The butterfly’s life journey from tiny egg to a hungry caterpillar that becomes sealed in a hard, seemingly lifeless cocoon before emerging to spread its wings offers a powerful metaphor for Christ’s resurrection that can be easily understood and shared.

It also offers a wonderful image of being prayerfully Transformed by Christ. The word “transform” means to cross over, go beyond and be formed anew. By fulfilling its life cycle, a butterfly’s metamorphosis becomes complete. As Christians we are called to grow from the small egg that we once were, before entering the place of greatest trust in God, the still, dark cocoon. Jesus said, “when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” (Matthew 6.6) The caterpillar doesn’t know from experience what will happen inside the cocoon. It must trust its instinct. It becomes a pupa, its caterpillar cells slowly dissolving to nourish forming legs, wings and eyes. It emerges in an unfamiliar body, able to travel vast distances, to be warmed by the sun and borne up by the wind.

This year focusses on the prayerful beginning of the Diocesan Vision. But like the essence that runs through the butterfly’s life stages, the next two years will also be deeply prayerful. Living prayerfully is to enter that still, quiet space with Jesus, not to bombard him with our hopes, needs and worries but open to the transformation he intends.