Today’s story is focused on Jesus, Judas Iscariot and betrayal. The scene is that of a group of friends gathered together in a single room sharing a meal. They are celebrating the Passover, usually a joyful occasion but this time there are many undercurrents, things playing in people’s minds. There’s Palm Sunday and the triumphant entrance which may already seem to have been a long time ago. The Jewish authorities are looking for Jesus and, Jesus keeps talking about the end and his own death. There must have been a certain tension in the air even before Jesus begins to talk about betrayal……..
We can’t be sure exactly when todays story happened. It occurred somewhere between the triumphant entry on Palm Sunday and the last supper on the evening of the following Thursday, so we have a window of about 4 days. For those who may follow Jesus there is no thought of his death, his arrest on Thursday night and crucifixion on Friday seem to come as an unexpected shock even to the apostles. For the Greek visitors, who I’d like us to focus on today, the sounds and sights of Palm Sunday, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem as a triumphant king and great crowds shouted “Hosanna in the highest, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Blessed is the KING OF ISRAEL” would have been ringing in their minds……….
WALKING THE 14 STATIONS OF THE CROSS – JERUSALEM. Along the “Via Dolorosa” (Latin for: “Way of Grief” or “Way of Suffering”). The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem.
Please find to download, a copy of the 14 Stations of the Cross for your own visitation and reflection throughout Holy Week.
We had intended to have a service for this tonight at Christ Church, Helme – but of course this was no longer possible due to the Coronavirus – Covid 19 situation.
I hope that you can make good use of it – using the pictures and words for your own reflections and prayers.
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that
followed shouted,
“Hosanna
to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
It is a basic
principle of Christianity that our God is The God of grace, abundant and
immeasurable grace. No matter how hard you try you can never out give God.
Whatever we offer him, through his grace he returns immeasurably more. He is
the God that turns our thinking upside down and this is the same in worship.
Worship is not our gift to God; it is a gift from God.
On Palm Sunday a great crowd of people greeted Jesus
as their king, they worshiped him as the messiah. Like us these people would
have had many challenges and problems in their lives and there were certainly
difficult times to face in the week ahead. But in this moment of worship there
was great joy for anyone who was willing to give themselves over to it.
Not being able to
meet in our Churches means that worship is different at the moment, but a great
many people are going to some considerable efforts to find ways to worship God.
As we worship, our God draws us close to himself, we experience a taste of his
glory, and receive his peace.
Worship is not our gift to God; it is a gift from God.
Reverend John (Vicar)
Website
There will be some materials available on the website for reflection during Holy Week.
Annual
Parochial Church Meeting 29th April
You will not be surprised to hear that this meeting has been postponed. Bishop Nick has used his
powers as our diocesan Bishop to delay all the requirements of this meeting
until the end of October.
Magazine;
There
is now an April edition available on the website. Unfortunately our printers
are closed for the duration. If you know of anyone who needs a paper copy it
can be printed from the website but I must encourage that all social distancing
measures be followed. Sharing paper copies with a neighbour may be possible but
please do not print and distribute in large number.
The best way of praying this week is simply to follow it. There are readings given for each day of Holy week sent as an attachment. All we have to do in our prayer is to be open and receptive, content to follow and to receive what God chooses to give us. In this way our prayer enters into the way Christ lives it. He allows himself to be taken on a journey by the Father “Thy will be done”.
So let Scripture take you on this road. Be attentive to it; notice its details, entrust yourself to it. Don’t fill up your prayer with too many words or thoughts or petitions, for your Heavenly Father knows all that you need. Let each period of prayer begin by simply asking for the Grace of God to be with you this Holy Week, to be close to Christ as He does the will of the Father. May you touch something of the mystery of this life and Love as we prepare ourselves to Celebrate Easter Day.
Heavenly Father, we turn our hearts to you. You are utterly faithful, and you have never failed us. Grant us hope, strength and mercy in our time of need. Enable us to throw our cares onto you, our mighty God.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those touched by the coronavirus, those who face sorrow, fear, illness and isolation. May they know your presence with them at this time so that your presence overcomes their fear.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for wisdom and clarity for all those making key decisions, for scientists, medical experts, politicians and public health officials. We pray for acts of kindness to spread in every community and we thank you for all these that are taking place now.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
In Jesus’ name: Amen
Scripture reading:
“Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Our story begins today on the day before Palm Sunday. It is set in the home of Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary where they are having a dinner in honour of Jesus. The twelve disciples are there, and the sense is, probably, a good number of others too. It’s a party and Lazarus’s home is full of people and joy…………………
In this series of reflections, I am going to invite you to try and get into the mind of key characters within some of the stories leading up to Easter day. Whilst doing this I’m going to ask questions about hope, particularly where these key characters are looking for or finding their hope.
Monday: Jesus
anointed at Bethany
Tuesday: Jesus predicts his death
Wednesday: Jesus says that one will betray him
Thursday: Jesus
washes the disciple’s feet
These are designed to be used at any time during the
day.
There
will also be
Maundy Thursday: a
short on-line Communion service which I encourage you to join in with at 7:30pm
(though you can use it at any time)
Good Friday: An hour at the cross, 2-3pm, and Stainer’s Crucifixion at 7:30pm
Apologies for the technical delay! The service is now available online. Due to this delay, Rev’d John will do the service this evening at 6pm!
You are encourage to play the service starting at 6pm, but you can listen any time if it is not convenient. Please inform anyone you planned to phone up to listen in with you.
Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, the service will be delayed. We are working hard to resolve these and hope to have it sorted to ready to start at 1pm.
