Week of Prayer 5 - The Praetorium

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. (Matthew 27:27-29) 

In a world where most of the buildings were small houses the great public buildings of the Romans must have been daunting and intimidating with their white stones soaring many feet into the sky, dominating the streets all around them,  visible for miles.  They were the very opposite of the loving home provided by Mary and Martha. Where Mary and Martha provided food and and the gentle company of friends, a whole cohort of Roman soldiers only provided sickening costumes and insults. Like the Romans themselves, these buildings were cold, hard, brutal and a constant reminder that the city was under foreign occupation.

Pause for thought

What am I intimidated by?
When I think about the invading Roman armies what world situations spring to mind?
Pray for those world situations and for all those who have been unfairly imprisoned.

Week of Prayer 4 - The Upper Room

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. (Mark 14:12-16)

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19-20) 

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying. (Acts 1:12)

The Upper Room, like the house in Bethany was a place of hospitality and safety. It was the place where Christ held his last meal with the disciples and where he turned the ancient Passover liturgy on its head, transforming the Passover cup of redemption into the cup of his own blood and sharing the unleavened bread (that he had terrifyingly labelled as his body) with awe-struck disciples.

After Christ’s death the disciples seemed to find this room a place of safety. Perhaps they felt that they could not travel as far as Bethany without being discovered and arrested. They locked the doors to keep themselves safe, but even locked doors could not prevent Christ from entering this room and meeting them there. Even after Christ’s Ascension when he commands them to stay in the city they seem to remain in this room. It plays an important part in the most horrific moments of their lives, but also the most wonderful moments, when the living Jesus shows them his hands and his side and proves that he is alive.

There is a tradition amongst the Syrian Christians of Jerusalem that this room was John Mark’s house and that he was the man carrying the jar of water. In our day and age this sign passes us by, but in ancient Jerusalem men never carried water. It was a demeaning task. The old world order is, once more, being overturned by Christ, even in this simple action.

Pause for thought

Where do I feel safe?
Are there parts of my life that I try to lock away from God?
What would my life be like if Jesus had never instituted Holy Communion?
Do I take this wonderful sacrament for granted?

Week of Prayer 3 - The Gardens: Eden, Gethsemane and the Garden of the Tomb.

The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:12-13

He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him... Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” .. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. Luke 22: 39-44

Mary turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”  (John 20: 11-16)

There are two gardens mentioned in the events of Holy Week, and yet a third garden is hiding behind the scenes. This hidden garden is the garden of Eden and the story of the fall of humanity. The "Apple" Moment" comes to each and every one of us sooner or later: the time when we stare temptation in the face, crumple under its glare and our Eden is destroyed. Those moments generally only bring grief and sorrow in their wake.

Yet in the second garden we see the unwillingness of Christ to die. He loves life, and yet is obedient to God’s plans, even if they cause him suffering. The garden also plays a crucial part in the arrest. It is a quiet place, where the guards can arrest Jesus without causing a riot in the city.

In the third of these gardens Mary hears the words of joy, her own name upon Christ’s lips. She mistakes him for the gardener, and yet, in a way he is the gardener. He is the one through whom the gardens of our world were made, and he is the one who also delicately tends our souls, like plants that are wilting and in need of extra care.

Pause for thought

Which garden do I most relate to?
Have I ever had something I could define as an “Apple Moment”?
What part of my soul needs the most tending from Christ the Gardener?

Turn these thoughts into a prayer of confession or help

Week of Prayer 2 - The Temple: Place of Teaching and Revelation

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.He said to them, “It is written,
‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.”  (Matthew 21: 10-13)

Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him. (Luke 19:47)

Throughout the last week of his life, Jesus kept returning to the temple to teach and talk to the people, yet the Scribes and Pharisees constantly tried to trick him by  posing seemingly impossible questions. He must have gathered enormous crowds as he taught the people and he was immensely popular, so much so that the authorities dare not arrest him there. Yet, for all its popularity as a place of prayer and sacrifice, the temple must have been a sad place. It was meant to be the house of God and the holiest place in the world, and yet the temple structures were corrupt. The priests were often petty in their interpretation of the law, but they also allowed such lax practices as the moneychangers disturbing the peace in the only part of the temple where non-Jews were allowed to pray. However, the most climatic moment in the temple in Holy Week happens when the veil cutting off the Holy of Holies from the people is torn in two at the moment of the crucifixion. The tearing happens from top to bottom, pointing to the fact that this is an act of God, not humanity. The way to the presence of God is now open to everyone, not just the High Priest. This is why St Paul has the courage to tell us that we are the temples now, temples of the Holy Spirit.

Pause for thought

How can we enable others to experience the closeness of the presence of the Living God?
Am I enabling others to pray, or disturbing them when they are trying to listen to the voice of God?
What does the fact that I am a temple of the Holy Spirit mean for me?

Week of Prayer 1

At the beginning of Lent I was asked to produce some resources for a week of prayer and reflection for Lent. It seems quite appropriate to post these here now we have arrived at Holy Week. I hope that you find them useful in some way.

The Places of the Passion

Places can be very important to us as people. We can all think of places that have marked significant moments in our lives. Perhaps you still remember the place where you first learnt a new skill such as riding a bike or swimming, or the place where you met someone whose friendship and support would be significant in your life. Some of us have special memories of a significant holiday destination or beautiful church, one that we sometimes dream about on a dull and rainy day.  When we revisit a favourite childhood place the sights, sounds and the smells bring up memories that we thought we had long forgotten. Once again we are four years old, playing in the sand, or splashing in the water.

This week is a chance to mentally visit some of the places where the Passion story first unfolded in order to shine a new light and perspective upon the events of the first Easter. These stories have become very familiar to us, and yet looking at them from a new angle can open us up to God’s Spirit, who gently calls us to spend some time at the foot of the cross of Christ so that we may lay down our burdens of guilt, sin and sorrow and step into new life and joy this Easter.

Sunday -  The welcoming home of Mary and Martha


Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.  (Luke 10:38)

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (John 12:1-3)

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. (Mark 11: 11)

Mary and Martha welcomed Jesus into their home, which they shared with Lazarus their brother. Amidst the turmoil and drama of the triumphal entry to Jerusalem, cleansing of the temple, and the plots and accusations of the chief priests and pharisees it must have been wonderful to have a place of love and welcome to return to. Bethany is still a beautiful place, situated half an hour’s walk away from the city. It  must have been a real refuge of normality away from the politics and pressures of the city of Jerusalem itself. Yet it wasn’t merely the distance away from the city which made it such a refuge. It was Martha’s cooking and Mary’s attentive listening to Jesus, helping to meet his needs at a very practical level so that he could meet their spiritual needs.

Pause for thought

Is my home a haven?
How can I be more hospitable, following the Benedictine principle of treating every guest as if Christ himself were visiting me?
Are there places that I go to find a haven of peace away from my work?
Do I need to visit one of these places again soon?

Pentecost intercessions

1. This morning we're having our intercessions in eight different languages. This is a slightly adapted version of the English script we're using this morning.  Because the intercessions are all based around texts from the psalms it becomes easier for everyone to understand and less work for those drafting the intercessions. Members of our congregation (who come from many different nations) can read the psalm text from their own bibles and we know what they are saying because they English text is written in the service books. The introduction to the prayers, although it is in English, is being read by one of the American members of our congregation. 

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These intercessions will be led in multiple languages. The response to Kyrie eleison (“Lord have mercy” in Greek) will be Christe eleison(“Christ have mercy”)

Lord God, we give you thanks this Pentecost for the gift of the Spirit, who brings unity to the church enabling her to proclaim the good news to people from many different nations, speaking many tongues. We too are gathered from many nations and we ask you to hear us as we pray in faith.

(A prayer for the church, led in French) 
Give praise, you servants of the Lord, O praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and for evermore.(Psalm 113:1-2)
We pray for our bishops John and James and for our church, that she will be inspired and strengthened to proclaim the good news to all people.
Response: Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison

(A prayer for the poor, led in one of the African languages)
Lord, you will hear the desire of the poor; you will incline your ear to the fullness of their heart, to give justice to the orphan and oppressed, so that people are no longer driven in terror from the land. 
(Psalm 10:18-19)
We pray for the poor, and those who are struggling with debt at this time. 
R: Kyrie eleison.Christe eleison

(A prayer for peace, led in Yoruba) 
Come and behold the works of the Lord, what destruction he has wrought upon the earth. He makes wars to cease in all the world; he shatters the bow and snaps the spear and burns the chariots in the fire. (Psalm 46: 8-9)
We pray for peace on Earth, especially in Korea, in Syria and everywhere people are fighting.
R: Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison

(A prayer for the grieving, led in Japanese)
The cords of death entwined me and the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.In my distress I called upon the Lord and cried out to my God for help. 
(Psalm 18:4, 6)
We pray for those who have recently lost someone they love, that God will comfort them.
R: Kyrie eleison.Christe eleison.

(A prayer for those who are ill, led in Mandarin Chinese)
They cried to the Lord in
their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them, and saved them from destruction.
(Psalm 107:19-20) 
We pray for those who are ill or in pain at this time 
R: Kyrie eleison.Christe eleison

(A prayer for the sorrowful, led in Welsh)
 The sorrows of my heart have increased; O bring me out of my distress. Look upon my adversity and misery and forgive me all my sin.
 (Psalm 25:16-17) 
We pray for those who are heartbroken or full of sorrow at this time.
R: Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison

(A prayer for the Lord to hear our prayers, led in Polish)
May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble, the name of the God of Jacob defend you; Send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you out of Zion; 
(Psalm 20:1-2)
R: Kyrie eleisonChriste eleison

The intercessions finish with these words
 Merciful father,
All: accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

What I think should be done about Advent

Every year we hit the same problem. Everything goes purple 4 weeks before Christmas. There is a sense of waiting, of expectation, of pregnancy, of looking forward to something being about to happen. If you're lucky this might even last a week, and then (just as you were about to have some profound thought about the 2nd coming) in barges a large bloke dressed like a can of Coke with a ton of mince pies and a pack of parcels, yelling " ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!" and wacks your quiet reflection on the head with a football-sized Christmas tree bauble.

Then, if you keep Advent strictly (waving away the mince pies and stoutly refusing to sing a single carol till the 24th) just as you burst into song with "O come all ye faithful", get out your turkey and invite friends round, you discover that the party has finished and you're stood there blowing your party whistles in a room on your own, feeling like a damp squib. Everyone else has gone off to visit relatives and when they come back Christmas is definitely over. After having carols inflicted on them since December 1st they definitely don't want to hear another one for at least 11 months!

So we wait a feast that never comes. 

So what is to be done? 
Well, we can't move everyone else. They simply aren't going to shift. 
We could ignore Advent altogether (that's what a lot of people do).
Or we could continue to lead this double-life that we tend to lead. A sort of Jekyll-Hyde Advent-Christmas, when we sing carols celebrating the birth one minute and go to Ante Natal classes the next, but personally it never really feels quite right. (Although it could be said that that is a bit like the coming Kingdom of God really). We often celebrate something that isn't quite there. Its there one minute as we hear an answer to prayer or witness a miracle, and then seems to have gone the next as we hold a tissue while someone cries their eyes out). But life is confusing enough without this strange Advent/Christmas double life we lead.

But there is another way. We could move everything forward a bit! That's what I'd like to do!!!
Orthodox Christians begin Advent on the 15th November. This is great. At this point you haven't been too badly bombarded by elves and reindeer proffering bottles of wine. The bible readings at that time of year are already looking ahead to the 2nd coming, and Christ the King fits in with all that quite nicely. Then, although the Orthodox have 6 weeks of waiting before the 25th December, we could have 4 of them. We could do 4 weeks of expectation, longing, waiting all through the end of November, and could hold out against the onslaught of Yule for the first 2 weeks of December before throwing ourselves thoroughly into the party on the 2nd Sunday of that month, which would then give us around 12 days of festivity *before* the 25th rather than after. Howzat?? Suddenly we don't seem like awful party poopers, but we do get to wait and think about waiting properly before the party properly starts. Plus we get to join in the party properly instead of keeping a little corner of our heads that is still purple. So go on go on go on go on go on. We're not going to persuade everyone else to shift Christmas so lets shift Advent....