Holy Wednesday: Guilt

 

Wednesday of Holy Week Jesus foretells his betrayal

Readings: Isaiah 50:4–9a, Hebrews 12:1–3; John 13:21–32

Jesus and the disciples were gathering at the end of the day, in an Upper Room to eat, drink, chat and relax. Three or four men would recline on a couch, leaning on the left elbow and eating with the right, often leaning on the chest of the man to the left. It’s an intimate scene and should have been one of camaraderie and peace… but Jesus was ‘troubled in spirit’. As they ate, Jesus declares “Very truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” Remember, these men had travelled with Jesus and with each other constantly for years. They know each other and built trust between them, so when Jesus makes this statement, it would have flooded the room with questions. Who does he mean? How, when and where will this thing happen? What would the effect be? And, more scarily, each man - even if only for a moment - probably wondered; does he mean me?

The voice of the waiter

 “I blend into the background, I’m not meant to be seen or heard. I simply take empty plates and replace them with full ones. In the kitchen, a rumour went around that one of the group in the Upper Room was Jesus, the man everyone’s talking about, so when I went through with more oil I kept my eyes and ears open. All the men were chatting and eating and drinking, but one sat silent, glancing up occasionally, his dark eyes moving from man to man. It had to be Jesus, though I’m not sure how I could be so certain. The bowl in front of him was running low, so I leaned in, picked it up and replaced it with a fresh one stepping away slowly… and then I heard him speak. A man further down the table leaned forward, took the golden crust of fresh bread Jesus offered him, dripping with the oil I’d just placed on the table, and popped it into his mouth. He stood to leave, grabbing his cloak with a flourish; as he slipped through the doorway, our eyes met. And my blood ran cold as he passed.”

Everyone feels guilty - sometimes with good reason. As others disappoint us, so we let other people down. Judas Iscariot was so heartbroken at the impact of his actions that he would later end his own life; but our faith in Christ opens the door to forgiveness for others and ourselves.

Christ our friend, you ask for our love in spite of our betrayal. Give us courage to embrace forgiveness, know you again, and trust ourselves in you. Amen.

 Sarah Prendergast and Sally Morley

Holy Tuesday: Difficult Conversations

 

Tuesday of Holy Week Jesus speaks about his death

Readings: Isaiah 49:1–7, 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 h; John 12:20–36

Among the many to go to the festival were some Greeks, or people who were descended from that area and culture. They would often have clashed with Jews, but being in the temple for Passover they’ve embraced a different faith. They seek Philip because his name is the most Greek-sounding to them, unlike the other disciples whose names were Jewish. We all tend to do this; seek out people who are like ourselves, because it feels safe, comfortable and secure. It’s less threatening… but it also means that we lose out on learning from people who aren’t like us. We can almost hear their anticipation and nervousness as they politely ask: ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus’. It’s like a tentative, yet brave tap on the shoulder. Jesus is a different sort of man, and speaks of a grain of wheat falling to the earth and dying in order to bear fruit. It makes sense, and yet is perplexing. They recognise that Jesus is like them, and yet not like them at all.

The voice of the Greek

 “I had heard so much about this man, Jesus. Rumours have been circulating for a while - he tells the most incredible stories, using images in words. Wheat. Sheep. Fish. They say he turned water into wine; this is my kinda guy! They say this man is here for all people – even Greeks like me and my family and neighbours, which is reassuring as I worry that they’ll be left out. It was hard to believe that we had the chance to actually meet Jesus… our request was passed down through the crowd, and we heard him speak the most amazing words of hope and glory. Then there was this voice from heaven, a roar, like angels and thunder – it was awesome! I thought he’d look ten feet tall and broad and frightening, so I stood on tiptoe and when I saw Jesus, standing there, right in front of us, I was amazed. Because he looked just. like. me.”

The very people we avoid, the ones who are too difficult or different to love, are the very ones we need to spend time with, listening to them, sharing moments or meals. Jesus made no exceptions so neither should we. Who have you been avoiding…?

O God, you created all people in your image. We thank you for the astonishing variety of races and cultures in this world. Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

Sarah Prendergast and Sally Morley

Holy Monday: The Perfume

 

Monday of Holy Week Mary anoints Jesus

Readings: Isaiah 42:1–9, Hebrews 9:11–15, John 12:1–11

Jesus was staying with friends in the run-up to the Passover and they’re relaxing at the table. Lazarus - who Jesus raised from the dead - is the host, and was sitting at the same table as Jesus, with a couple of others. As usual, Martha is serving and Mary is listening intently. Guests are few, Mary is single and in a private home so her head is uncovered - had she been in public, she would have had a head covering. Nothing shocking about that, until she pulls out a huge pot filled with exotic Indian perfume and pours it over Jesus’ feet, drying them with her hair. Mary must have had significant funds because the perfume is in a jar roughly twelve times the size of a usual bottle of scent - a rough estimate in current terms is around £14,000 worth of perfume. No wonder Judas Iscariot was jealous. He completely misses the symbolic anointing of Jesus before his death, and he sees Mary’s act of devotion as wasteful and ridiculous.

The voice of Lazarus

“It’s the greatest honour imaginable to have Jesus in my home, sitting at my table. He may be a dear friend but since he called me in the tomb, woke me from my slumber and raised me from the dead - how can I ever see him as a ‘normal’ friend? I have no idea how to express my thanks because there are no words. We talk, share food and time together but it will never be enough, and I find that frustrating. But then Mary has a flash of inspiration. Maybe that’s why she’s been particularly quiet this morning, because the jar she pulls from behind her - like a stunning magic trick, perfume from thin air - is huge. She breaks the seal and the oil falls onto Jesus feet, catching the light and the scent is overwhelming. No one knows what to say. Judas is jealous of the apparent waste of money; I’m jealous because Mary’s amazing expression of love, thanks, faith and devotion is stunning. I have no words.”

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to say, whether it’s ‘thank you’, ‘I love you’, or (especially difficult) ‘I’m sorry’. How would you like to express your feelings in a way that will be understood - with, or without, words? To whom would you express your feelings?

Lord, give us wisdom before we speak, understanding while we listen, sensitivity towards those we meet, and the perspective of your kingdom. Amen.

Sarah Prendergast and Sally Morley

Peregrine Falcons

 

We have the privilege of hosting peregrine falcons on our Church tower. They are  rare and protected so Barry Trevis, a recorder and ringer for the British Trust for Ornithology, has been helping us.

He writes:   

After setting up the nesting box on top of the church tower, we returned to the churchyard the male Peregrine appeared with prey and perched on the north ledge gargoyles. Shortly after that the female arrived and there was much interaction between them, including noisy mating, food passing, running along the upper, outer ledges, interspersed with spectacular flights around the church.

The birds spent much time on the upper ledges of the tower where it is clear they rest and pluck their prey. The ledges appear to be quite wide in places, particularly behind some of the gargoyles. It could be that the birds will try to nest on one of those. Hopefully once they discover the tray they will be tempted to use that. However, I am afraid that I feel breeding itself is unlikely to happen this year. 

Now I have seen the birds well it is apparent that although the male is in adult plumage the female is a juvenile from her brown plumage (bred only last year). So I think they will spend the next two months or so 'playing at' breeding behaviour and establishing their territory on the church for the future. This is what happened with the Welwyn Garden City birds in 2019 which was followed by successful breeding in 2020 and they are about to lay again there this year.

At some point the nest box will be carefully checked and later on, if appropriate, rings will be placed on the birds as they are so rare, and have only been in Hertfordshire in the last three years.  

A Prayer

God of all feathered beings,
Thank you for the birds.
Thank you for their early morning songs.
May I also lift a song to heaven when morning breaks.
As Jesus said,
Have You not gathered us the way a mother hen gathers her chicks?
The morning song of a bird announces a newly dawning day, fresh, with new life.
Give us fresh spirits.
You know my imperfections.
I ignore the baby chick within.
All that is fresh and new, and desires growth,
Sometimes I ignore it or fight it.
I am sometimes too fragile to allow the new within to survive.
Create within me the ability to greet each day like Your birds.
And to care for animals as You would, God,
You who would gather us all within
Your outstretched
wings.

From the words of  Carol Adams

Palm Sunday

 

                                                           All Saints Palm Sunday 2021 

Palm Sunday Readings: Isaiah 50:4–9a, Philippians 2:5–11 The Liturgy of the Palms; Mark 11:1–11 Jesus and his disciples head out of Jericho and begin the twelve-mile walk to Jerusalem for the Passover. It’s uphill, dusty and even for hardened travellers, it’s a bit of a slog. Once they reach the suburbs with just a couple of miles to go, Jesus sends two of the disciples to find a colt that has never been ridden; akin to a virgin offering, something symbolically pure and perfect for a king. Roman soldiers would often commandeer beasts, and so could kings. Zechariah 9:9 is being fulfilled: Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

There’s a tension between royalty and humility, but the crowd sees only what it wants to see; a king, powerful and mighty, coming to save them from oppression. They throw their cloaks on the dirty road and wave branches (not just palms but reeds and foliage) in his honour. The time for joy hasn’t come. Not yet.

The voice of the donkey

“It’s strange how the day unfolded. Two men came and carefully untied me, and explained to my owner that I was needed. I’ve hardly left my mother’s side, but I felt strangely calm as I was led away. Picking my way down the hill, I saw a man unlike any other. He had the kindest eyes, and he slipped so lightly onto my back. People threw their best cloaks onto the ground as we walked, and I scuffed them in the dirt. Precious fabrics, ground into the dust, because of the man I carried. They waved branches, and they shouted and sang and yet they didn’t startle or frighten me… with this man I felt safe. We walked on and on, the crowds shouting ‘Hosanna, hosanna’, part of a song I hadn’t heard before. They seemed full of joy and hope! And yet I could sense a deep sadness, an ache in the man’s heart. I bore more than the weight of this man, and I wonder what he himself was carrying.”

Cloaks were precious to their owners, symbols of status as well as garments for warmth and protection. Throwing them on the ground before Jesus was an act of worship. Look around your house for your most treasured item. What would it take for you to give it away as an act of worship?

Prayer

Lord, you rode straight into the power of the enemy to suffer and die; give us the strength to follow you to the centres of oppression in this world, and the confidence which confronts power with love. Amen

Reflection by Dally Prendergast 

Now to the gate of my Jerusalem,

The seething holy city of my heart,

The saviour comes. But will I welcome him?

Oh crowds of easy feelings make a start;

They raise their hands, get caught up in the singing,

And think the battle won. Too soon they’ll find

The challenge, the reversal he is bringing

Changes their tune. I know what lies behind

The surface flourish that so quickly fades;

Self-interest, and fearful guardedness,

The hardness of the heart, its barricades,

And at the core, the dreadful emptiness

Of a perverted temple. Jesus  come

Break my resistance and make me your home. Malcolm Guite 

 

Breathe

                                               Primroses in the churchyard

We listen this morning to the sound of our own breath,

Thank you God for breath,

for life flowing in and out of each of us.

It is wonderful to be alive—thank you for life!

Thank you for the sweet scent of the breath of spring;

for blossoms,

for daffodils and sweet hyacinths,

for the good earth, turned over and ready for seed,

for the sun and its power.

Thank you that you are a God who hears our breath.

You hear our slow steady breaths as we’ve slept,

the panting of children as they run and play,

the deep breaths of hard work and manual labour,

our slow sighs when we are weary or filled with grief.

You hear our first breath,

you are the one who hears and knows our final breath.

Your Spirit moves over the earth, enlivening us all.

Help us to exhale fear, and inhale your love

Help us to exhale selfishness, and inhale your generosity.

Help us to exhale despair, and inhale your hope.

Breathe life into peacemakers,

in the conflicts in our world,

where class and race and ideology divide us.

Breathe life into peacemakers in Syria

where war has ruled now for ten long years, for Afghanistan, Yemen and Myanmar, 

Breathe inspiration into our government leaders and health leaders,

helping them work for safe solutions in this pandemic.

Forgive us when we are not outraged by war and injustice,

and instead are numb to every new story of destruction.

On this day as your Spirit blows ,

thank you for giving us this chance

to be part of your breathtaking work,

in the service of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

Peregrine falcons on our church tower

Encouragement

 

The greatest glory in living

Lies not in not failing,

But in rising every time we fail.

Nelson Mandela   

It is only in our darkest hours

That we may discover the true strength

Of the brilliant light within ourselves

That can never, ever be dimmed.

Doe Zantamata

Hidden

 

New Dead Sea Scroll fragments were found as well as the world's oldest basket (10,000 years old) were found only days ago in a Judean desert cave. It is the first discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947 and the early 1950s.

Some 1,900 years ago, Jewish refugees fleeing the Romans made their way to the Judean Desert. Among the belongings they carried with them were scrolls featuring the biblical books of Zechariah and Nahum. Two millennia later, fragments of those texts have been found.

The cave system must have been considered a safe haven during the war between the Roman Empire and the Judean rebels  130 AD. Jews found shelter in the caves and brought what they thought they needed for their new life.

The findings, which include not only the biblical fragments, but also dozens of artefacts dating back as early as 10,000 years ago, have been amazing. There are more than 80 fragments of different sizes, some of them carrying text. The script dated them to the end of the first century BC, which means that by the time it was brought to the cave, the scroll was already a century old. The texts came from the Book of Zechariah, written in Greek, except for God’s name, which was marked in paleo-Hebrew. This was probably a way to show the importance of the name of God.

This  version of Zechariah, verses 16 and 17 of the eighth chapter of Zechariah read: “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to one another, render true and perfect justice in your gates. And do not contrive evil against one another, and do not love perjury, because all those are things that I hate – declares the Lord.” In the fragment, the word “gates” is replaced by the word “streets.”

One Year

 

Prayers and Bible readings for the National Day of Reflection

Tuesday 23rd March

 

We are invited to put a lit candle (safely) in a window of our

home, at 8pm. These prayers can be used at that time, or at any

other time that feels appropriate.

 

God of Love,

As we think about all that has changed this year,

help us to trust that you are always with us.

As we remember those who have died,

help us to trust they are at peace with you.

As we reach out to others with kindness and care,

may hope shine out in every heart and home.

Amen

 Bible Passages of Comfort

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;

therefore can I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures

and leads me beside still waters.

He shall refresh my soul

and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his

name’s sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You spread a table before me

in the presence of those who trouble me;

you have anointed my head with oil

and my cup shall be full.

Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 

Matthew 11.28-30

 

Jesus says, ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are

carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my

yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and

humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For

my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

 

 

Romans 8.38-39

I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor

rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor

powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all

creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God

in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Prayers

 

Loving God,

You hold all our times in your hands,

our past, our present, our future.

Be close to us now as we remember

all the difficulties and disappointments of the past year.

Be especially close to all of us

who are thinking of someone we loved and knew,

but see no longer,

whether family, friend, colleague or neighbour.

Help us to trust that they are at peace with you,

and comfort us with your presence. Amen.

 

A prayer for all who mourn

Gracious God,

as we remember before you

the thousands who have died,

surround us and all who mourn

with your strong compassion.

Be gentle with us in our grief,

protect us from despair,

and give us grace to persevere

and face the future with hope

in Jesus Christ our risen Lord.

Amen.

 

A prayer for all those affected by coronavirus

Keep us, good Lord,

under the shadow of your mercy

in this time of uncertainty and distress.

Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,

and lift up all who are brought low;

that we may rejoice in your comfort

knowing that nothing can separate us

from your love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Loving God,

You place us in families and communities,

and we give you thanks for all those around us

who serve us and help us in so many ways.

Give wisdom to community leaders,

to our schools, hospitals, care homes and other agencies

who make a difference to our lives.

Help each of us to have the courage

to reach out with thanks and kindness to those around us

and to speak words of faith

as we share the good news of your love. Amen.

HOPE

Loving God,

As we journey towards Easter, help us to live as people of hope,

knowing that beyond the pain of the cross

lies the joy of resurrection.

Inspire us in our worship,

through our churches and in our homes,

that we may bring glory to you and joy to others.

Be with those who are struggling in mind, body or spirit,

and give courage to those

who are facing uncertainty and change ahead.

Help each of us to keep our eyes fixed on you,

that we may reflect your light to all whom we meet. Amen.

 

A special version of the Lord’s Prayer:

 

Divine mother, divine father:

to be in you is to be in heaven.

May we hear the wonder that echoes in your name.

May we accept no rule but the rule of love.

May we never tolerate the evil of hunger.

May the hurts we cause be forgiven

and the hurts we receive be healed.

May we remember that we are fragile

and cherish the life we share with all.

For all love and life and power

is the gift of the Spirit

Amen.

 

Sharing the light

We may place a lighted candle at this point

 

Lord Jesus Christ,

when fear and anxiety besiege us

and hope is veiled in grief,

hold us in your wounded hands

and make your face shine on us again,

for you are our Lord and God.

Amen.