Former BBC Radio Cumbria sports commentator James Clark is a devout Christian who has been celebrating Easter in a modern way.
James, who delivered his last broadcast earlier this month from Penrith’s Winters Park, writes Bible stories with a rather different slant.
He has produced dozens over the years and is currently seeking a publisher in order to bring them to a wider audience.
“I had several stories linked to the birth of Christ and I have put together a few more relating to Easter. I try and tell the age-old stories from the Bible in a modern way.
“It was suggested that I get them published and that’s what I am trying to do at the moment,” he said.
Just as a taster for Cumbria Crack readers, here is an example of James’ work:
Easter Morning with Philip the Apostle
“Mary, Mary stop, what is it? You look shattered, what has happened to you?
“You went with the others to dress his body with oils…..yes yes, I knew you were
going…then what is so terrifying about that?
“Steady, take your time…..here come here let me hold you…. so many tears!
Now that’s better, breathe deeply and try again….
“You went to the tomb…?
“Yes, of course! We had to come!”
“The others were worried about the guards,, but they’d gone anyway”
The soldiers had gone?
“and the stone, it had been moved”
Tell me what you saw?
“I was dazzled, but his body was gone!”
Slowly, gently now – I can understand it must have been a terrible shock– what
do you mean – his body was gone?
“Mary tell me, take your time.
“Oh Philip it was such a shock, the others were worried about the
guards, and the stone across the entrance. I thought we could talk
them round to do what we had to do. Sorry Philip I’ve not really
stopped crying since Friday…I didn’t sleep at all last night, I thought,
well I thought at least I would see his poor, battered beautiful body, I’m
sorry, I’m soaking your robe!’
“Don’t worry Mary, just breathe deeply, that’s it, here’s a cloth What exactly did
you see, where were the guards?”
‘Come on Philip who cares about them? I wanted to do my very best
for him, and he’s not there. It’s not fair!’
“OK Mary, what did you see then?”
‘The light was so bright, even for dawn….sorry…. two men were there,
not guards, but men who also seemed to be lit like the sun, I was
dazzled.’
“Did they speak?”
‘They said something that sounded like – oh, I couldn’t hear because I
was so cross and upset – He isn’t here, He is Risen – Risen? What does
that mean? Gone to Heaven I suppose, and I so, so wanted to anoint
him properly, so so much!’
“Just a minute Mary! – I don’t know either, all we can do is wait – he wouldn’t
leave us not knowing – there isn’t any light from the tomb now, are you sure it
came from there? Maybe he has returned to His Father – if so, if so, I am sure
he will let us know somehow.
“Hang on, Mary – I’m trying to think!
“Mary of Magdala, I am so sorry you have had such a shock, he will let us know,
I’m sure of it. Look someone’s just come into the garden, he may be the
caretaker, or the gardener, perhaps he can help you, why don’t you go and ask him?
“Oh my! -She has spoken with him for just a moment then she tried to throw
herself at him! He gently held her away with his hand, and now she’s gone
rushing out though the gate down towards the city – and there’s no sign of that
man. He’s completely disappeared, whoever he was, although…. was there
something familiar about him?
“We are all meeting tonight, back in the Upper Room where we ate together on
Thursday, Thursday? Seems like a lifetime ago! I have a feeling that the day
has a lot more in it. Did she say the man at the tomb said ‘Risen’? Jesus
himself did say ‘on the third day’. I wonder? Now I must go and tell Joseph
about this, it looks as if his tomb has yet more to tell us. The absence of the
guards is curious, and the open doorway?
I suppose these shining men of Mary’s tale might have moved it
But why?
And why is it empty?
