Depending on what your poison may be, the Church of England’s General Synod starting today could the most interesting or the most boring event in York this weekend. If you’re an Anglican you’ll probably be following quite closely because the whole thorny issue of women bishops is to be discussed and the meetings are held in the context of the gay priest, Jeffrey John, once again being rejected as a potential bishop. T...

The death of Jesus brings about a great change in the atmosphere around him as he hangs on the cross (Mark 15:16-47). Beforehand he is mocked, beaten, and tortured. There is extreme pain – both physical and emotional – as the nails are hammered into his flesh. Religious leaders display an astounding level of callousness as he hangs dying. They are venomous as they hurl their insults towards him.

But afterwards, when the veil was torn at his last breath we can notice a significant ...