Easter Day, Alleluia Jesus is risen

Isaiah 65.17-end               Esaie 65.17-end

Psalm 118.1-2, 14-24       Psaume 118.1-2, 14-24

1 Corinthians 15.19-26    1 Corinthiens 15.19-26

John 20.1-18                    Jean 20.1-18

Albertino Piazza Apostestles en torno al sepulcro,

 Staatliche Museum Berlin

In the days of His earthly ministry, only those could speak to him who came where He was: if He was in Galilee, men could not find Him in Jerusalem; if He was in Jerusalem, men could not find Him in Galilee. His Ascension means that He is perfectly united with God; we are with Him wherever we are present to God; and that is everywhere and always. Because He is "in Heaven" He is everywhere on earth: because He is ascended, He is here now. Our devotion is not to hold us by the empty tomb; it must lift up our hearts to heaven so that we too "in heart and mind thither accent and with Him continually dwell:" it must also send us mind thither accent and with Him continually dwell:" it must also send us forth into the world to do His will; and these are not two things, but one.forth into the world to do His will; and these are not two things, but one.

William Temple

Collect for today, Easter Day
Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: open the doors of our hearts, that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God the Father. Amen.

Le jour de Pâques Christ ressuscité, pour qui aucune porte n’est verrouillée, aucune entrée barrée: ouvre les portes de nos cœurs, afin que nous puissions rechercher le bien des autres et marcher sur le chemin joyeux du sacrifice et de la paix, à la louange de Dieu le Père. Amen.

Holy Saturday+++ Dead

Matthew 27.57-end    Matthieu 27.57-fin

Psalm 31.1-4, 15-16   Psaume 31.1-4, 15-16
Job 14.1-14                Job 14.1-14
1 Peter 4.1-8              1 Pierre 4.1-8

Peter Paul Rubens, The Entombment (about 1612), Getty Center

Dead.

Today is a busy day, with much getting ready for tomorrow.

Even in the church, flowers are being put in place and all the beautiful things that were removed on Thursday are being replaced.

But we should pause for a while today to remember that this is the day that Jesus lay in the tomb.

Dead.

Tomorrow will be day of celebration, but today is about remembering the reality of Jesus death. Matthew underlines it. Jesus’ body; a tomb; a stone; the place watched by two Marys and, we are told a few verses later, by guards.

Jesus was dead.

Tomorrow we shall sing ‘Jesus Christ is risen today’ – but not today.
Today we can remember that Jesus identification with us in every way ‘yet without sin’ brings him even to the grave.
He shared our life and he shares our death...until the dawn when we may say with the poet George Herbert:

Rise heart; thy Lord is risen. Sing his praise without delayes,

Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise with him mayst rise:

Demain, nous proclamerons la résurrection.
Mais aujourd’hui nous réfléchissons à l’enterrement de notre Seigneur, qui a partagé entièrement nos vies jusqu’au tombeau.
Que nos cœurs soient bénis par la connaissance de la magnitude de son amour pour nous.

John Wilkinson

Good Friday

Psalm 22  Psaume 22

Isaiah 52.13-53.12     Esaie 52.13-53.12
Hebrews 10.16-25     Hébreux 10.16-25
John 18.1-19.25         Jean 18.1-19.25

Etching by Rembrandt 1653

Today we remember Jesus' suffering and death. Psalm 22 was written by King David nearly a thousand years before his Greater Son walked the earth. Jesus will cry out these agonizing words on the cross “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1). The first half of the Psalm records in gruesome detail a horrifying death. What prophetic foresight: just read vv. 6-8, 12-18! The prophet Isaiah tells us that ‘... he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). The second part of Psalm 22 anticipates new life....glimpses of resurrection and beyond. As we look at the cross, and reflect on our great need to be saved, we are assured of the immense depth of God’s love for each and every one of us. We can almost sense an Easter glimpse on the horizon.... and we rejoice that ‘...he has done it’! (Psalm 22:31).

Om onze zonden werd hij doorboord, om onze wandaden gebroken. Voor ons welzijn werd hij getuchtigd, zijn striemen brachten ons genezing. Jesaja 53:5

Paul Vrolijk

In Rememberance of Me

1 Corinthians 11.23-26  1 Corinthiens 11.23-26

Exodus 12.1-14   Exode 12.1-14          Psalm 116. 1,10-19  Psaume 116. 1,10-19  
John 13. 1-17,31b-35    Jean 13. 1-17,31b-35 

The First Eucharist, Vicente Juan Masip in Prado Museum

Memory. It’s one of the most powerful forces in the human mind, causing us to fear, hate, weep, laugh and love as our past comes back into our present. For a brief moment, time collapses, and we find ourselves taken into another time, sometimes decades after we had last thought about that past.

Memory. It’s also one of the most fragile forces in the human mind. We so easily forget things. Where we put our keys. The name of someone we just met. We can even forget the names and faces of people we’ve loved for years-as was the case with my grandad Cyril. Memories are powerful, but extremely precious.

Today’s four verses from 1 Corinthians present us with the central memory of the Christian life: the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples and how this related to his impending death. We hear the words of Jesus, breaking bread and offering wine. We hear how bread and wine are body and blood. We can see, with the eyes of our mind, the events that form the foundation of Christianity. We are reminded how this message for all humanity is deeply personal; the bread and wine are ‘for you’. We are invited into the story not only of Jesus’ death, but of the Christians in Corinth and all the generations of disciples who have gone before us. And we are invited to share this story, as Paul passed this message to the Corinthians; we are to pass it on to others.

This Maundy Thursday, take and eat. Take and drink. In remembrance of him.

Nathan Joss

Cloud of witnesses

Hebrews 12.1-3    Hébreux 12.1-3

Isaiah 50.4-9a   Psalm 70       John 13.21-32
Esaie 50.4-9a    Psaume 70    Jean 13.21-32
In regard to the first, therefore, he says: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. As if to say: Thus we have said that the saints, although approved by the testimony of faith, did not obtain the promises; nevertheless, their hope did not fail. Therefore, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, because in word and deed God is glorified by them: ‘So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven’ (Mt. 5:16); ‘You are my witnesses, says the Lord’ (Is. 43:10). The saints are called clouds, first, on account of their sublime manner of life: ‘Who are these that fly like clouds?’ (Is. 60:8). Secondly, on account of their fecund doctrine: ‘He lifts up the drops of rain, and pours out showers like floods’ (Jb. 36:27); ‘He binds up the waters in his clouds, so that they break not out and fall down together’ (Jb. 26:8). Thirdly, on account of the usefulness of spiritual consolation, for as clouds bring refreshment, so also the examples of the saints: ‘As a cloud of dew in the day of harvest’ (Is. 18:4).

We have this cloud of witnesses over our heads, because the lives of the saints impose on us the need of imitating them: ‘Take, my brethren, for an example of suffering evil, of labor and of patience, the prophets’ (Jas. 5:10); ‘As the Holy Spirit speaks in the scriptures, so also in the deeds of the saints, which are for us a pattern and precept of life’ (Augustine). This, therefore, is the example of the saints which he proposes.

Thomas Aquinas

Easter is coming

1 Corinthians 1.18-31     1 Corinthiens 1.18-31

Isaiah 49.1-17      Psalm 71.1-14     John 12. 20-36
Esaie 49.1-17       Psaume 71.1-14   Jean 12. 20-36



Phew! We're in Holy Week, Lent is nearly over. And, trapped in our human existence where time only goes forwards we realise that we have to prepare for our Easter celebrations in advance: the choir is already practising singing joyful Easter anthems, several buckets of lilies are cluttering up the corridor, though the church remains bare, and delicacies for next weekend's feasts and family parties are filling our larders, fridges and freezers. However, our readings remain unremittingly gloomy, preoccupied with a fallen people and the impending sacrifice and death of Christ. As Paul points out in the Epistle, non-believers cannot understand this – the whole idea of our great Redeemer having to be put to death in order to save us makes no sense to them – but it is our faith that upholds us, knowing that God's will for us is not only to die with Christ but be surely resurrected with Him as well, as He has promised us from before our birth. So we can confidently make ready for our celebrations next Sunday, knowing that God will see that it happens.

Carol de Lusignan

Creativity and Love

John 12.1-11  Psalm 36.5-11
Jean 12.1-11   Psaume 36.5-11


Isaiah 42.1-9  Esaie 42.1-9  Hebrews 9.11-15  Hébreux 9.11-15

The excerpt from John along with the words of Psalm 36.5-11 can speak directly into our lives as we near the end of Lent. Jesus approves of Mary’s actions of worship even as they seem to oppose the possibility of giving to those in need. Recognising the worthiness in sitting down and humbly serving through small acts of worship, we are able to feel God’s presence among us. May we use this final week of Lent to quietly remind ourselves of the God we know. When Easter arrives, Jesus may encourage us to turn our worship into serving the poor, but today we are called to see Christ in the room with us. Perhaps today you will be able to pour your eyes over the words of the psalm, allow them to wash over you and fill your mind with a great sense of God’s creativity and love.

Naomi Brown

Palm Sunday

Philippians 2.5-11     Philippiens 2.5-11


Isaiah 50.4-9a  Psalm 31.9-16       Luke 22.14-23, 56 or Luke 23.1-49
Esaie 50.4-9a   Psaume 31.9-16     Luc  22.14-23, 56 ou Luc 23.1-49

These wonderful, strikingly lyrical verses may well have been adapted by St Paul from an early Christian hymn. The theme of Jesus’s willing self-abasement on our behalf in this passage brings vividly to mind the contrast between His Father’s glorious affirmation of Him at his baptism in the Jordan and His almost immediate departure into the barren desert for a forty-day fast, followed by Satan’s three temptations when he was at his weakest and most vulnerable, from all of which He emerged victorious and fully prepared for the rigours of His three-year ministry and His ultimate sacrifice at Calvary. This wonderfully epitomises the essential nature of this Season; as someone once said, “the way up is down”, Lent being essentially a carefully and prayerfully considered response to Jesus’s “Come aside and rest awhile” and the psalmist’s “Be still and know that I am God”. To that end we temporarily set aside earthly cares - no matter how legitimate they may be - to make time to strengthen our allegiance to Him; in so doing we perceive ways in which we have allowed unhelpful worldly habits and unspiritual and self-centred inner clutter to obscure and weaken our day-to-day, hour-to-hour relationship with Him. He is more concerned with the constancy of our walk with Him than with our acts of Christian service and witness which, albeit vital evidence of our faith, should first and foremost be the fruits of that essential closeness to His heart.

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Notre Père apprécie qu’on soit en relation avec Lui quotidiennement beaucoup plus que nos actes de service et de témoin à son nom; ces actes sont importants mais ils sont en premier lieu les fruits de notre rapport avec Lui.

Simon Robbins

Joseph of Nazareth

Matthew 1.18-end     Matthieu 1.18-fin

2 Samuel 7. 4-16    Psalm 89. 26 - 36    Romans 4. 14-18
2 Samuel 7. 4-16    Psaume 89.26-36    Romains 4. 14 - 18

Lent can often be the time when we think about giving something up..

Perhaps you have given up chocolate or wine... And we do that to exercise discipline and to call to mind both Jesus' fasting in the wilderness and the sacrifice that saves us all on that cross at Easter... but Joseph, he has to give up something more than material things. Joseph had to give up control. As
Mary's husband he would have been head of the household, Mary would have been dependent on him as that is how men and women lived in those days. But Joseph was faced with Mary's pregnancy and although he could have walked away he did not, he saw that this situation was not of his will but God's will. He had to give up his control of his life, his household and accept God's will and be part of God's household, under God's authority and God's love. We don't know much more about Joseph but I can imagine that this experience brought him closer to God. He saw God working in his life, saw that God knew him and had plans for him.

Perhaps some of us struggle through Lent with the idea of giving something up but we can remember that God is in everything and that as we fast in whatever way I hope that we can see God in our lives, see His connection with each one of us and rejoice in the fact we have a Heavenly Father who knows us so well.

Heather Roy

St Joseph the Carpenter, Georges de La Tour 1640s

Searching for His Will

Hebrews 13     Hébreux 13


Exodus 10    Psalm 22        John 12.20-36a
Exode 10      Psaume 22     Jean 12.20- 36a

Often in my life, I’ve struggled with “finding God’s will for my life”. Where I come from in America, this phrase is thrown around too much inside Christian circles. As a teenager, I remember constantly being in a state of turmoil not knowing what “God’s will for my life” was. My good friend knew that she wanted to teach English in third world countries, another knew that she wanted to be a missionary to the Middle East; I, on the other hand, would attempt to force God into a corner during my quiet times, begging him to show me His will.

And then one day years later, as I began to enter adulthood, I  heard someone say, “there are over a thousand verses in the Bible about giving yourself on behalf of those in need; pick a verse and form your life around it.” This idea spoke so greatly to the deepest parts of me that were longing each day to find purpose. Light bulbs went on in my brain as I realized that all I had to do to be “in” God’s will was to love people. Be encouraged and challenged today: God’s will isn’t some mysterious gift or path. Walk right into it today or anyday by loving people and maybe entertain some angels along the way.

Bailey Douqué

Worship?

John 12.12–19     Psalm 40 
Jean 12.12-19      Psaume 40


Exodus 9.13-end     Hebrews 12.12- end      John 12.12-19
Exode 9.13- fin       Hébreux 12.14- fin        Jean 12.12-19

Jesus enters Jerusalem to an adoring crowd. The story of the raising of  Lazarus from the dead had spread like wildfire, and, according to Jewish tradition, the advent of the Messiah was related to the resurrection of the dead (ref. footnote of the New English Bible). The manner of the Messiah’s entry had been prophesied by Zechariah (9.9): or, at least, that is how the writer of John’s Gospel chose to interpret Zechariah’s words. And what did the crowd expect? Most likely not the Son of God on his way to the cross.

Entry of Christ into Jerusalem (1320) Pietro Lorenzetti

And when we come to Jesus in prayer or in worship what do we expect? Why would he care about us? The psalmist offers us a powerful image of our all-father, written long before he revealed himself in Jesus:

“I waited...he bent down to me and heard my cry. He brought me up....he set me feet on a rock....and on my lips he put a new song, a song of praise to our God....” (Psalm 40.1, New English Bible).

Thanks be to God.

David Brown

A hard heart?

Exodus 9.1-12    John 12.1-11
Exode 9.1-12      Jean 12.1-11

Psalm 55      Hebrews 12.3-13
Psaume 55   Hébreux 12. 3-13

When reading through the stories in Exodus about the plagues, you may have been struck by how many times it talks of Pharaoh having a “hard heart”.

It used to puzzle me as a child why it speaks of the Lord hardening Pharaoh’s heart, as if it was God’s doing. Then I remember hearing it explained that it was because of Pharaoh’s response. The working of God’s Spirit, if resisted, has the opposite effect, like a stubborn horse being encouraged to move but just digging his feet further into the ground.

More recently, I read in a Study Bible (ESV) that it talks a full 7 times of Pharaoh hardening his heart (in Ex 7-9), before we read here for the first time in verse 12, after the 6th plague, that “the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh”. Although God had said at the start, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart” (7:3), it is Pharaoh’s repeated opposition that is to blame.

It seems a strong lesson – that if hearts are hard and cold, they may simply turn God’s blessings into the opposite, like the waters of blessing in the next plague, frozen and turned into hard hail.

But, to end on a positive note, in the readings from John there’s a wonderful story (12:1-8) of a woman whose heart was so taken up in cooperating with God that it overflowed with love abundantly.

Striking contrast! Resist or cooperate – which is it to be...?

« L’Eternel endurcit le cœur de Pharaon » mais c’était à cause de sa résistance. Et Marie par contre... ?

“De HERE verhardde het hart van Farao” maar het was door zijn tegenstand. En Maria aan de andere kant...?

James Pitts

VENGEANCE IS GOD’S

Psalm 35. 19-26    Psaumes 35.19-26

Exodus 8.20-end    Hebrews 11.32-12.2    John 11.45-end
Exode 8.20-fin       Hébreux 11.32-12.2     Jean 11.45- fin

Being falsely accused or held up to public ridicule is an experience no one takes lightly.

Even worse is to feel that someone is out to get us, almost lying in wait for us to make a wrong move so he or she can lord it over us . David experienced this dreadful reality. But he does not try to defend himself, stand up to his adversaries or clear his name.

Rather, he turns the whole situation over to the Lord, trusting that God’s righteousness will prevail and his enemies will eventually be put to shame. As believers we are charged to trust in God’s vindication rather than exact vengeance on our own (Romans 12.19).

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Être accusé à tord ou être humilié publiquement peut être une expérience traumatisante.

Le plus effrayant peut être de sentir que quelqu’un nous guette, attendant en silence que l’on face un faux pas afin de nous accuser à tord. David a expérimenté cette dure réalité. Mais n’essaye pas de se défendre, de faire face à son adversaire ou laver son nom.

Au contraire, il remet la situation entre les mains du Seigneur, en croyant que la justice de Dieu triomphera et que ses ennemies seront couvertes de honte éventuellement. En tant que croyants nous devons avoir confiance en la puissance de Dieu que de faire vengeance nous-mêmes (Romains 12.19).

Grace West

Ce que voyait Notre-Seigneur sur la Croix

The Cruxifiction seen from the Cross by James Tissot Brooklyn Museum

Focus, Pray, Praise, Shine

Psalm 73     Psaume 73

Exodus 8.1-19     Hebrews 11.17-31      John 11.28-44
Exode  8.1-19      Hébreux 11.17-31      Jean 11.28-44

It’s easy to get caught up in the world today – whether it's in celebrity drama, political debate, concern over social inequities or fear of terrorism. It’s easy to hear (and believe) the arguments against faith and religion or to become lost in the abundant distractions present in our lives. We may feel we have fallen short or that we don’t deserve salvation. We may find ourselves questioning
God more or doubting what He can do. But we should have faith (Hebrews 11). God is all-powerful and limitless. There is nothing God can’t do, no sin too great to forgive and no way for science to disprove Him. He is always with us and wants us to look to Him for solace and for strength. He has promised us a bright future with Him and through Jesus’ death and resurrection we have a guarantee. What we must do in the meantime, is to focus on praying, praising Him and to being the light that He has called us to be. (Matthew 5:14-16)

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Il est facile d'obtenir " pris " dans le monde d'aujourd'hui et de commencer à perdre la foi ou remettre en question ce que Dieu peut faire. Mais nous devons garder notre foi par la prière, la louange et en étant la lumière, il nous a appelés à être. (Matthieu 5.14-16)

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Het is gemakkelijk om afgeleid door de wereld van vandaag en beginnen te twijfelen aan wat God kan doen. Maar we moeten ons geloof te houden door middel van gebed, lof en zijn licht, riep hij ons te zijn. (Mattheüs 5. 14-16)

Morgan Buckner

"Joy comes in the Morning"

Psalm 126        Isaiah 43.16-21    Philippians 3.4b-14    John 12.1-8 
Psaume 126      Esaie 43.16-21    Philippiens 3.4b-14    Jean 12.1-8

It may be the start of 'Passiontide' today, and the journey along the stony Pathway to the Cross, but even as we carry our loads of worries, and the painful wounds from our daily lives, we can remember that there is Resurrection on its way! In the end we will return singing for joy, as the Lord reaps his harvest (Psalm 126). He has made a smooth road through the desert, and shown us where to quench our thirst (Isaiah 43, v.19). God calls us to follow this path, stony then smooth, whatever our worldly troubles (Philippians 3, v.12). It is for us to bring to him our costliest treasure, - ourselves - , just like Mary in Bethany (John 12 v.3). In this way, as he accepts our 'gift' to him, he can pour his transforming love into our hearts, and renew our lives for his Service.

Pam Clements

Traveling to the horizon

Exodus 7.8 - end    Exode 7.8 - fin

Psalm 32      Hebrews 11.1-16    John 11.17-27
Psaume 32   Hébreux 11.1-16     Jean 11.17-27

I have a problem with all these plagues and I suspect that Moses did too. He had heard God talking to him from a burning bush and had returned to Egypt as instructed. Now God tells Moses to  go to show his God given gifts
to Pharaoh but that Pharaoh would not listen. Why bother?

Sometimes things just do not seem to go as we expect. Sometimes even though we think we are going in the correct direction we find obstacles. Sometimes our world just seems to be full of frogs and
snakes and the water undrinkable.

There is a Promised Land out there over the horizon.




As I travel through the bad and good, keep me traveling the way I should;
where I see no way to go, you'll be telling me the way, I know:

And it is from the old I travel to the new. Keep me travelling along with you.

Give me courage when the world is rough, keep me loving though the world is tough;
leap and sing in all I do, keep me traveling:

And it is from the old I travel to the new. Keep me travelling along with you.

From One More Step Along the World I go by Sydney Carter.



Jane Brown

Resurrection

John 11.1–16    Jean 11.1-16

Psalm 102      Exodus  6.2-13     Hebrews 10.26-end
Psaume 102   Exode  6.2-13       Hébreux 10.26- fin

'The Raising of Lazarus', Giotto di Bondone, 1304

Martha and Mary were not alone in their grief. They lost a dear brother, young and strong. Their friends thought how unfair it was to lose a brother and friend so young. One special friend called Jesus, with whom they had a good relationship, was not with them at that moment. Actually it was rather difficult to make out who he really was and why he was amongst them. One explanation we find in John 11.14b-15 – ‘.....“Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”’ A very puzzled Thomas said ‘”Let us also go, that we may die with him.”’ (11.16b).

What do you believe: is resurrection a reality or not?

Rie Arthern

Guide Me Lord

Psalm 86   Psaume 86

Exodus 4.27-6.1  Hebrews  10.19- 25    John 10. 22-end
Exode  4.27-6.1   Hébreux  10.19- 25     Jean 10.22- fin

Psalm 86

(Words Joseph Byron, Music Gustav Holst.)

To my humble supplication
Lord, give ear and acceptation;
Save Thy servant that hath none
Help nor hope but Thee alone.

Send, O send relieving gladness
To my soul opprest with sadness,
Which from clog of earth set free
Winged with zeal, flies up to Thee.

To Thee, rich in mercies treasure,
And in goodness without measure,
Never failing help to those
Who on Thy sure help repose.

Heav'nly Tutor, of thy kindness,
Teach my dullness, guide my blindness,
That my steps Thy paths may tread
Which to endless bliss do lead.

Joseph Bryan, c.1620
To listen to Gustav Holst's setting performed by Estudio Coral de Buenos Aires

Humility and Favour

Psalm 90     Psaume 90

Exodus 4.1-23    Hebrews 10.1- 18    John 10.11- 21
Exode 4.1- 23     Hébreux 10. 1-18    John  10.11- 21

On reading this psalm I am struck by the contradictions. It is magnificent in its use of phrase and form but the power that infuses the language points us towards humility and ends with an amazing request.

Encircling everything is God, who wraps her arms like a parenthesis around our lives. Fleeting our lives may be:

3 You return man to dust
 and say, “Return, O children of man!”
4 For a thousand years in your sight
 are but as yesterday when it is past,
 or as a watch in the night.

But the psalmist ends with an audacious request.

16 Let your work be shown to your servants,
 and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us,
 and establish the work of our hands upon us;
 yes, establish the work of our hands!

The psalm balances our need to practice humility with acknowledging our true value.

I am drawn to reflect on the following questions:
o What do I understand about humility?
o Can I pray the prayer ‘to let God’s favour to be upon me?’
o How is God’s power showing itself in the work of my hands?

Ruth Faber

Follow

John 10.1-10    Jean 10.1-10

Exodus 2.23-3.20    Psalm 79      Hebrews 9.15- end
Exode 2.23-3.20      Psaume 79   Hébreux  9.15- end 

‘I am the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep’.

I am the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. I am the way, the truth and the life for my sheep. No sheep comes to the Father except through me. The sheep who follow me will not die but will have eternal life. All my sheep have gone astray, each has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on me the iniquity of all, which has separated them from Him. I shall pay the penalty for the sins of the sheep. It is the Lord’s will to crush me and have me suffer. I shall bear the sins of the sheep on my body on the cross so that my sheep might then die to sin and live for righteousness. By my wounds will my sheep be healed. By my sacrifice, and by the grace of God, my sheep will be forgiven and redeemed. When my sheep follow me, they will be free and reconciled to the Lord.

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‘Je suis le bon pasteur, qui donne sa vie pour ses brebis. Lorsque mes brebis me suivent, ils seront libres et réconcilié avec le Seigneur.’

Richard Simpson

Memories

Psalm 77     Psaume 77

Exodus 2.11- 22    Hebrews 9.1- 14    John 9.18- end
Exode  2. 11-22     Hébreux 9.1- 14    Jean 9.18- fin

If you could think back to a single event in the past for encouragement what would it be? A special moment, a kind word, a generous act out of the blue? This psalm is all about remembering back, recalling the promises and proof of God's love for his people.

It starts in deep despair "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favour again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? (vs 7-8). Then the psalmist’s thoughts turn back to the past and all the wonderful things God has done, “the miracles of long ago” vs 11. When we are in despair, what memories do we have of past blessings to help strengthen us to face the future? Is it the dedication of a past teacher or youth worker who was willing to spend time with us? It is perhaps a church weekend away where we felt a real sense of belonging? Or is it simply in the knowledge that in God’s love and protection we are safe and ready to face what lies ahead. The past can give us hope for the future.

Richard Steele

Psalm 86     Psaume 86

God's Grace

Luke 2.33-35    Luc 2.33-35

1 Samuel 1.20-28    Psalm 34.11-20       2 Corinthians 1.3-7
1 Samuel 1.20-28    Psaume 34.11-20    2 Corinthiens 1.3-7

The reading from today’s Gospel is succinct. It comes from the presentation of the Christ child at the Temple, following the dictates of Jewish law. Simeon, an old prophet who was promised not to see death before he saw God’s Messiah, speaks over the child: he is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; a sign to be opposed to reveal the inner thoughts of human nature -- and a sword will pierce Mary’s soul too. Today is a day we celebrate mothers; it is Mothering Sunday. What Simeon reveals to Mary is that Jesus will address her in her own motherhood. The Incarnate God does not shy away from any areas of our lives; he touches them all, revealing them all, in order to show grace to all. The child Jesus was destined and Jesus continues to be a sign to be opposed by many, and many fall and rise because of him.

May we this Lent learn that Jesus touches every element of our lives: every relationship, every love and every thought. May we learn to fall with him, so that we might rise with him. May we be found in the Messiah, who was pierced for us. May we be completely renewed, living in and by God’s grace.

Amen.

Jeremy Heuslein

Reach Out

John 9.1-17      Jean 9.1- 17


Exodus 1.22-2.10     Psalm 31      Hebrews 8
Exode 1.22-2.10      Psaume 31    Hébreux 8

In many of the healing miracles in the Gospels we see sick people (or their family or friends) seeking out Jesus, showing great faith in him as they ask for healing, for themselves or their loved ones. This account, however, seems to be of quite a random healing. Jesus sees a blind man by the roadside,responds very firmly and clearly to his disciples' question as to who is to blame for the man's blindness, then proceeds to put mud on the man's eyes. The story might have ended there, but the man obeyed Jesus' instruction to go and wash in the pool of Siloam, and this act of obedience brought him first, healing, and secondly, faith in Jesus as ‘the Son of Man’ ( see verse 36-38). He is even prepared to face the wrath of the Pharisees as he sticks to his story. His personal testimony is honest and convincing.

Each of us can have a different pathway to faith: for some it may include a miraculous 'coincidence' or an answer to prayer, for others, the moment when some of our genuine questions are answered, as often happens during an Alpha course. For many of us it may be when a friend reaches out and shows us love and care, not passing judgment on us but simply loving us with a Christ-like love, and shares his testimony about how Jesus has changed his life......and suddenly we can see!

Perhaps we can help some of our friends on their pathway to faith by showing them that same Christ-like love ? What a thrill then when they say for themselves ‘Once I was blind but now I can see’

***************************************************************

Cet homme aveugle, en obéissant Jésus, en allant se laver, est guéri....et plus tard dans le chapitre (versets 36 – 38) il met sa foi en Jésus. Il y a beaucoup de chemins vers la foi. Pouvons-nous aider un de nos amis à trouver son chemin vers Jésus?

Catherine Roberts

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Psalm 22     Psaume 22

Exodus 1.1-14     Hebrews 7.11-end    John 8.48- end
Exode 1.1-14       Hébreux 7.11-fin      Jean 8.48- fin

I realise these words are not the most cheerful, but I actually find this psalm really encouraging. Firstly because it allows us to find the words for when we are feeling truly at our worst, and proves that all God's people can feel lost and despairing at times. Secondly these same words were uttered later on by Jesus on the cross, so we can be sure that God has truly experienced human suffering and despair and does know and care about it. In a time where the view people have on our lives from the outside is becoming almost more important than how our lives really are, there is a pressure to always be doing well and be in control. But God's view is the opposite - what is seen on the outside has no importance at all for him and what he cares about is how we really are, and what we really feel. He is the reality when everything else is about appearance.

My prayer for us this Lent is that we would look to the things that God is creating in us and not the things seen from the outside and that "[we] shall live for him (v29)".



Mon Dieu ! Mon Dieu ! Pourquoi m'as-tu abandonné?

Je sais que ceux ne sont les mots les plus joyeux, mais je trouve le psaume très encourageant. D'abord parce qu'elle nous permet de trouver les mots pour nos moments les plus difficiles, et nous montre que même le peuple de Dieu se sent perdu et triste des fois. Mais aussi parce que les mêmes mots sont utilises par Jésus au moment de sa mort sur la croix, ce qui confirme que Dieu connait notre souffrance et difficultés. Dans un monde ou comment on nous voit devient plus important même que nos vrais sentiments, Dieu veut savoir ce que nous ressentons vraiment en nous. Dieu est la vraie réalité dans un monde d'apparences.

Ma prière pour nous est que nous ferions attention à ce que Dieu fait en nous et pas aux choses extérieures.


Bethan Sollars

Lift your hands

Psalm 56     Psaume 56

Genesis 49.33- end of 50    Hebrews 7.1-10    John 8.31-47
Genèse  49.33- fin de 50     Hébreux 7.1-10    Jean 8.31-47

There is no deeper way for me to be in prayer with our wonderful Father than through movement and
meditation. Likewise, when I’m singing in a church service, I’m often imagining flowing movements and when I read through scripture I find that moving my body helps me to internalize the words of praise that burst from within it.

As you join me today in reading Psalm 56, perhaps take a moment to stand tall and begin moving to these words:

Psalm 56:10-12

I’m proud to praise God,

Lift your hands out to the side and above your head, arms long, look upward if it’s comfortable for your neck 

proud to praise GOD.

Bring your hands to a prayer posture in front of your heart

Fearless now, I trust in God;

Open the palms of your hands away from you, fingertips pointing upward

what can mere mortals do to me?

Gently twist to your left, right hand to your left hip 

God, you did everything you promised,

Gently twist to your right, left hand to your right hip 

and I’m thanking you with all my heart.

Bring your hands back into a prayer posture in front of your heart and bow 

your head to the Father

Lana Lile

~ Repeat as you feel led ~

Turn to God

Psalm 38       Psaume 38

Genesis 49.1-32    Hebrews 6.13-end    John 8.12-30
Genèse  49.1-32    Hébreux 6.13- fin     Jean 8.12-30

King David is really hurting. It strikes me that, when our soul is suffering, we often feel or imagine a physical pain instead. Easier to justify, maybe, still, in today's society. In times of suffering, or when we know we've done wrong, we also tend to forget where to turn. We just carry on trying to sort things out ourselves. "I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply". And then King David remembers: "Lord, I wait for you. You will answer, Lord my God". It gives comfort to know that even mighty men like King David sinned and turned away from God. Let us remember to turn to God in times of trouble and not get caught up in the suffering and dwell in our
sin. God has promised to forgive those who truly repent.

Sara T

Betende Hände, in English “Praying Hands”,

is a pen-and- ink drawing 

by the German printmaker, painter and theorist Albrecht Dürer, executed c. 1508. 

The artwork is stored at Albertina museum — Graphische Sammlung in Vienna.

Without Sin

John 7.53–8.11    Jean 7.53- 8.11
 
Genesis 47.28-48.22   Psalm 9         Hebrews 5.11- 6.12
Genèse  47.28-48.22   Psaume 9      Hébreux  5.11- 6.12


In John’s Gospel, when a woman who was supposedly caught in adultery is brought before Jesus by the Pharisees who were looking for a charge to bring against him “Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground.”

According to the Hebrew laws a person caught in adultery, would be brought to the temple and accused. Witnesses had to be gathered to confirm that adultery had indeed been committed in order to bring judgement. The priest was required to write the law that had been broken, along with the names of the accused. The writing should not be permanent therefore the dust of the floor of the Temple which would be erased by the wind suited well. The Scribes and Pharisees ignored the law, brought the woman only, and then continued with accusations. After realizing they too had broken the law and were not without sin (even the Pharisees who were particularly expected to live by the law) they left one by one.

When none appeared to have condemned the woman Jesus said: “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” This once more shows the ultimate Grace that can only come from God. Jesus does not condemn us but will forgive us even when a sin is as clear as the sin of the woman.

From the complex bundle of messages compiled in this Bible passage in particular the lightness by which we often condemn others and more specifically the countless times that we receive Grace will for me be something to reflect upon during this period of Lent.

Van de complexe boodschap in deze bijbelpassage wil ik met name de lichtzinnigheid waarmee wij mensen geneigd zijn anderen te veroordelen en meer in het bijzonder de onmetelijke Genade die wij mogen ontvangen als punt van reflexie tijdens deze vastentijd nemen.

Du message complexe de ce passage biblique je tiens tout particulièrement prendre comme point de réflexion au cours du Carême la légèreté avec laquelle nous condamnons un autre, et en particulier l’immense Grâce que nous pouvons recevoir.

Alex Von Franquemont