Tuesday of Holy Week ~ Tuesday 31st March

Song of Solomon 2.8‐end ~ Cantique des Cantiques 2.8- fin

Psalm 71.1‐14 ~ Psaumes 71.1-14

1 Corinthians 15.12‐19 ~ 1 Corinthiens 15.12-19

Luke 24.1‐12 ~ Luc 24.1-12

Of today’s readings, only Solomon’s comes over as unequivocally positive,

with its intoxicatingly poetic breath of fresh air. The psalmist is clearly under

intense persecution, Paul is battling against many Corinthians’ non‐belief in

the resurrection of the dead, and Luke relates how the eleven (male) disciples

cravenly refused to believe the testimony of the women who had

encountered the empty tomb and the angel with their own eyes; which all

immediately called to my mind Jesus’s desert temptations, for it is highly

significant that before confronting Satan He entered into a prolonged fast. A

crucial effect of fasting  ‐ a Lenten discipline often belittled but in essence a

response to Jesus’s “Come aside and rest awhile” and the psalmist’s “Be still

and know that I am God” ‐ is that it becomes easier to dispose of unspiritual

inner clutter, including accumulated doubts sown by Satan in many subtle

variations on his beguiling “Yea, hath God said...?” temptation in the Creation

story. So at a time when our faith is coming under subtle attack from many

sides, let us put all non‐essentials aside, let the dust settle, banish doubts, and

fix our gaze afresh on the unwavering Light ahead, drawing us onwards day by

day.

Venez à l'écart dans un lieu désert, et reposez‐vous un peu (Jésus, Marc 6:31).

Arrêtez, et sachez que je suis Dieu (Psaume 46:10‐11)

Simon Robbins

Monday of Holy Week ~ Song of Solomon 1.9-2.7 ~ Passion~ Cantique des Cantiques 1.9-2.7

Monday 30th March

Psalm 36.5-11 ~ Psaumes 36.5-11 

1 Corinthians 15.1-11 ~  1 Corinthiens 15.1- 11

Mark 16.1-8 ~ Marc 16.1-8

Song of Solomon 1.9-2.7 ~ Cantique des Cantiques 1.9-2.7

Passion

There is a lesson in the passion of the love expressed in the Song of Solomon

(1.9-2.7). “A believer, after all, is someone in love”, Christian philosopher

Soren Kierkegaard has said. As moderns we quite rightly regard evidence and

reason for God – indeed this can help our faith, by cropping the power of

doubt. However, we have not become disciples of Jesus (Christians) finally by

reason, but by the Spirit. This bit is quite unintelligible to the materialist. But

that’s ok, as Kierkegaard said: “...do you think it would occur to someone in

love to give a defence of his infatuation... for he is something more than all

reasons and defence: he is in love.”

However, especially as a bloke, this female character's “being in love” in the

gendered, romantic way this passage describes is difficult to relate to (Song of

Solomon is generally understood to be a prophetic allegory for the love

between Christ (He) and the Church (She)). However I can relate to the

female character's (Church) gratitude for his (God's) rescuing and sustaining

her in verse 2.3-5 (with fruit; raisins and apples, to be precise – presumable

her favourite snacks).

C.S. Lewis has described our love for God as largely “Need-love”, which is

“that which sends a lonely or frightened child to its mother’s arms”. I love

God because I need him. Reading this passage reminds me that my love for

God is wanting. Let’s consider what it means to “Love the Lord our God with

all your heart, soul, mind and strength”.

Le Song of Solomon nous interpelle a aimer Dieu plus passionné; avec tout nos

cœur.

Jonathan de Leyser

Palm Sunday ~ Sunday 29th March ~ Isaiah. 50.4-9 ~ Esaie 50.4-9

Palm Sunday

Psalm 31.9‐16 ~ Psaumes 31.9-16

Philippians 2.5‐11 ~ Philippiens 2.5-11

Mark 14.1‐15.47 ~ Marc 14.1-15, 47

Isaiah. 50.4-9 ~ Esaie 50.4-9

The prophecies of Isaiah were revolutionary in their time. Yes, Moses had

spoken a little about Israel’s hope (Deut. 33.27–29). But nothing before in the

Hebrew records of laws and wars prepared them for Isaiah’s long‐range

visions of Jerusalem’s glory.

In the latter part of Isaiah’s scroll appear four passages – called the Servant

Songs – which tell of one Servant of Yehovah (Isa. 42.1‐4; 49.1‐7; 50.4‐9;

52.13‐53.12). Who or what lay behind this figure is still a puzzle after almost

three millennia. But the Hebrews recognized these four songs as pointing to

the Messiah, and to the mystery that he must suffer and die. Here, in the

third song, the Servant tells of his lifelong obedience to Yehovah and of his

prophetic calling (v. 4), of how the divine will led him to suffering and shame

(v. 5), to give himself up to the hands of his enemies (v. 6), in the hope of final

vindication from on high (vv. 7–9).

Here is our blessed Lord Jesus, riding on a donkey into Jerusalem, into the

lion’s mouth, for the final showdown with death and evil.

Dans cette chanson, le « serviteur de Yehovah » d'Isaïe raconte son appel

prophétique, de la façon dont il a conduit à la souffrance et de honte, de se

rendre aux mains de ses ennemis, dans l'espoir d’une justification d'en haut.

Voici notre Seigneur Jésus, entrant à Jérusalem pour la confrontation finale

avec la mort et le mal.

David Mitchell

Saturday 28th March ~ Psalm 23 ~ Psaumes 23

Jeremiah 25.1‐14 ~ Jérémie 25.1-14

Hebrews 13.17‐end ~ Hébreux 13.17- fin

John 12.36b‐end ~ Jean 13.36b-fin

Psalm 23 ~ Psaumes 23

Shepherds have a real love and care for every single one of their sheep. I

once knew a sheep farmer who had roughly two hundred sheep. One night, a

sheep went missing. The farmer was deeply upset and desperately went to

find the missing sheep that he cared about so much. He didn't give up until he

had found it.

Psalm 23 is a reminder to us that our God is the shepherd of our hearts. When

we are feeling discouraged, lonely and overwhelmed, let us hold onto these

encouraging and hopeful promises that when the Lord is OUR shepherd, we

lack nothing. He is our true source of comfort and refreshment. He grants us

the rest we need, blesses us and guides us along the right path. At times along

our journey, we may stray, come across some rocky ground and lose our way.

Just like that shepherd searching for his sheep, the Lord does not give up on

us, holds us close to His heart and will keep bringing us back to Himself.

"L'Éternel est mon berger; je ne manquerai de rien. Il me fait reposer dans de

verts pâturages, il me dirige près des eaux paisibles."

Psaume 23 est un rappel que Dieu est le berger de nos cœurs.

Quand nous nous sentons découragés, solitaire ou submergés, nous devons

saisir ces promesses qui sont encourageantes et plein d'espoir. Quand le

Seigneur est NOTRE berger, nous ne manquons de rien.

Priscilla Stairs

Friday 27th March ~ Psalm 22 ~ Psaumes 22

Jeremiah 24 ~ Jérémie 24

Hebrews 13.1‐16 ~ Hébreux 13.1-16

John 12.20‐36a ~ Jean 12.20 - 36a

Psalm 22 ~ Psaumes 22

Dark Night of the Soul

Part of the human condition is to encounter moments or seasons when God

seems far, far away. We all experience the “dark night of the soul” at some

point in our lives, and it is black indeed. How fortunate we are, however, to

have a record of people who have felt exactly the same way, with the added

benefit of knowing how their stories turn out. Many times David feels utterly

dejected, forsaken by God and overwhelmed by life. But time after time God’s

mercy and faithfulness prevail; all of David’s laments are eventually

swallowed up in praise and thanksgiving. Our ultimate encouragement comes

from Jesus Christ himself, whose last words on earth (other than the final,

triumphant cry, “It is finished”) are these same words of despair. In bearing

our sin, he is crushed and momentarily separated from his Father. But his

glorious destiny is sure, as is ours. Never again will anything or anyone have

the power to separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8.31‐39)

Une partie de la condition humaine est de faire face à des moments où Dieu

semble être lointain. Nous expérimentons tous ces moments mais nous avons

la chance de connaitre l’histoire de personnes qui sont passées par là et nous

savons comment leur histoire s’est terminée comme David ou Job. La

miséricorde de Dieu a triomphée. Notre ultime encouragement est Jésus

Christ car il a porté nos pêchés pour nous ramener à Dieu, nous qui étions

séparés de lui a cause de nos pêchés. Personne ne pourra plus jamais nous

séparer de l’amour de Dieu.

Grace Adenekan West

Thursday 26th March ~ Hebrews 12.14‐end ~ Hébreux 12.14- fin

Jeremiah 23.9‐32 ~ Jérémie 23.9-32

Psalm 40 ~ Psaumes 40

John 12.12‐19 ~ Jean 12.12-19

Hebrews 12.14‐end ~ Hébreux 12.14- fin

If you're reading this it's a pretty fair guess that you're a regular church

attender at Holy Trinity and know at least a bit about our Christian faith.

Hebrews 12: 14‐28 reminds us what a marvellous opportunity God has given

us by grace through His son to know Him, live in the manner He desires and

join Him for eternity in a heavenly Jerusalem. Nonetheless, Paul warned the

Hebrews that they should keep their hearts open to the word of God in order

that they could receive that which He had promised. We too need to follow

this advice, and worship God with reverence and awe.

Carol de Lusignan

Wednesday 25th March ~ John 12.1 - 11 ~ Jean12.1- 11~ Johannes 12: 1‐11

Jeremiah 22.20‐23.8 ~ Jérémie 22.20-23.8

Psalm 55 ~ Psaumes 55

Hebrews 12.3‐13 ~ Hébreux 12.3-13

John 12.1 - 11 ~ Jean12.1- 11~ Johannes 12: 1‐11

What is it like to be a friend of Jesus?

What was it like to be Lazarus, Mary and Martha? Friends of Jesus - how had they, this family, come to be so close to him? Did they know him before the crowds? Had they known who he was?  And then to be swept up in events: calling on him in sickness, grieving with him in death, raised up again by the resurrection power of his love.

Perhaps they had organised this dinner in his honour. Maybe, after the miracle, their living testimony to his glory was at the heart of the festivities. Maybe not; maybe Martha’s serving, Lazarus’ partaking and Mary’s anointing were not at the centre of attention but quietly personal forms of – what? Adoration? Gratitude? Love, for their friend who was now set on a path away from them, towards Jerusalem and Easter?

What is it like to be a friend of Jesus?

Maybe we knew him before we realised, truly, who he was. Food, laughter, grief, resurrection – perhaps we, too, have lived this with him.

We might be the one who serves, the one who sits, or the one who anoints. We might organise feasts in his honour – or maybe just sit with him there, at his side.  Lazarus, Mary and Martha knew in their own ways what it was to be a friend of Jesus. In our own ways, so do we.

Johannes 12: 1-11

Hoe was het om Lazarus, Maria en Martha – vrienden van Jezus – te zijn? Hoe is deze familie zo dicht bij hem gekomen? Kenden ze hem al vóór de massa, de drukte? Hadden zij toen geweten wie hij was? En dan meegenomen te worden in de gebeurtenissen: beroep op hem doen in ziekte, rouwen met hem in de dood, verheven en herrezen te zijn door de kracht van zijn liefde.

Misschien hadden zij dit feest in zijn ere georganiseerd. Misschien, na het wonder, stond hun levende
getuigenis van zijn heerlijkheid centraal aan de festiviteiten. Misschien niet; misschien hebben de bediening van Martha, het deelnemen van Lazarus en het zalven van Mary buiten alle aandacht plaatsgevonden: discrete, persoonlijke vormen van – van wat? Aanbidding? Dankbaarheid? Liefde, voor hun vriend die richtte zich nu weg, naar Jeruzalem, naar Pasen?

Hoe is het, vriend van Jezus te zijn?

Misschien kenden wij hem voordat we beseften, echt, wie hij was. Eten, lachen, verdriet, herrijzenis –
misschien hebben wij ook dit allemaal met hem ervaren.

We zouden degene die dient kunnen zijn; degene die zit, of degene die zalft. Wij zouden misschien feesten organiseren in zijn ere – of  gewoon bij hem zitten, daar aan zijn zijde. Lazarus, Maria en Martha waren elk op zijn eigen manier vriend van Jezus. Elk op ons eigen manier, zijn wij dat ook.

Jo Hamborg

Tuesday 24th March ~ Hebrews 11.32‐12.2 ~ Hébreux 11.32‐12.2

Jeremiah 22.1‐5, 13‐19 ~ Jérémie 22.1-5, 13-19

Psalm 35 ~ Psaumes 35

John 11.45‐end ~ Jean 11.45- fin

Hebrews 11.32‐12.2 ~ Hébreux 11.32‐12.2

This passage gives us a great excuse to dig back into the OT and remind

ourselves, or find out for the first time, what all these “heroes” mentioned by

the writer of Hebrews actually did. Well Gideon got cold feet (wet fleece, dry

fleece); Barak got cold feet (“..If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go

with me, I won’t go...”); Samson – well he seemed to have a weakness or two,

didn’t he!

So all these great men and women were weak, sinful, and uncertain. Just like

us. But God still loved them, and loves us, and we must keep going and run

the great race.

As the Message puts it “...Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and

finished this race we’re in....” So whether our plan for Lent is to give

something up or to take something up, our focus should be Jesus.

May we all experience renewal of our faith this Lent.

David Brown

Monday 23rd March ~John 11.28‐44 ~ Jean 11.28-44~ Step into the light

Jeremiah 21.1‐10 ~ Jérémie 21.1-10

Psalm 73 ~ Psaumes 73

Hebrews 11.17‐31~ Hébreux 11.17-31

John 11.28‐44 ~ Jean 11.28-44

Step into the light

Lazarus’s resurrection is a declaration of God’s ultimate power over matters

of life and death and of the placing of that power in Jesus’ hands. Jesus did

not exercise such power lightly, and never for his own glory.

This passage tells us that the power of the resurrection is not merely for some

distant, or not so distant, future, it is not just “pie in the sky”; the power of

the resurrection is in us now, today! When we commit our lives to discipleship, to Jesus,

the power of the resurrection becomes part of who we are and we can no longer live as if

death were the end. Before we give ourselves to discipleship, we live in the tomb, in darkness

and death. When we respond  to Jesus’ call, we step into the light, our grave cloths are

peeled away and we enter the newness of life as liberated and liberating people.

But, the daily process of working out our salvation is hard; we are caught between

two ways of being: the present age full of strife and confusion and the age of light to come. Our

kingdom is in heaven, but we still live here in this world. People of two worlds we respond to God’s

call to us in Jesus and we step into the light. We can never look at the world in the same way again.

Ann Wycherley

Sunday 22nd March ~ Fifth Sunday of Lent ~ Psalm 51.1-13 ~ Pray ~ Psaumes 51.1-13

Jeremiah 31.31‐34 ~ Jérémie 31.31- 34

Hebrews 5.5‐10 ~ Hébreux 5.5-10

John 12.20‐33 ~ Jean 12.20-33

Psalm 51.1-13 ~ Psaumes 51.1-13

Pray

During Lent we remember how Jesus was led out into the desert for 40 days

to be tempted and overcome temptation. For us overcoming temptation can

be really hard, not least when we can so easily justify our actions to ourselves.

We all want to experience joy, love and comfort  ‐ it can be difficult to resist

wanting and taking things which don't belong to us and which aren't good for

us. Look at David: he experienced years of being on the run, a hunted fugitive

who had to live without a home and comforts while staying faithful to the

Lord. When he became king he gained a life of luxury – and temptation. He

gave into a temptation in a big way first by committing adultery with

Bathsheba and then by getting her husband killed. He obviously managed to

justify his actions to himself until the Lord, acting through the prophet

Nathan, pointed out his sin. Psalm 51:1‐13 is his confession and outpouring of

guilt and remorse to the Lord.

Lent is a time to deny ourselves comforts we may rely on, and to pray in order

to remember our faith, become stronger against temptation and stop

justifying our bad actions to ourselves. If you have a heavy temptation on

your heart, pray about it to the Lord and also consider praying with others

who can support you.

Petra Zoellner

Saturday 21st March

Jeremiah 20.7‐end ~ Jérémie 20.7- fin

Hebrews 11.1‐16 ~ Hébreux 11.1- 16

John 11.17‐27 ~ Jean 11.17-27

Psalm 32  ~ Psaumes 32

In Psalm 32 David talks about the happiness of a pardoned sinner, the misery

that went before, and the comfort that followed the confession of sins. David

who had followed God most of his life had sinned greatly both by committing

adultery and murdering. Yet when he openly confessed his sins to God, he

was freed from the bone crushing pain and guilt. In the context of our

relationship with God, there is anguish in the iniquity that is hidden and relief

and joy when the iniquity is freely confessed and forgiveness is granted by

God. God teaches by his word, and guides with the secret intimations of his

will. Verse 8 says, “I will tell you the way, I will teach you where you must go.

My eye will be your guide. We need to trust God with the truth and he will

“cover” or lift the burden of our sins from us.

Is this not also how we should live our lives with our fellow man? That the

iniquity freely confessed to God should also be confessed to those we sin

against here on earth? We should have the same feeling of release from

anguish and of joy when we freely confess our sins and ask forgiveness of

those we know and love but have hurt in some way. What guides us in our

spiritual relationship with God should also guide us in our earthly

relationships as well.

Joe Rees

Friday 20th March ~ Psalm 102 ~ Psaumes 102

Jeremiah 19.14‐20.6 ~ Jérémie 19.14-20.6

Hebrews 10.26‐end ~ Hébreux 10.26- fin

John 11.1‐16 ~ Jean 11.1-16

Psalm 102 ~ Psaumes 102

Trust in Him 

I read Psalm 102, in particular vv 23‐28, just after reading that a relative will

not recover from his cancer and he's only 39. Meanwhile in the news the

world seems crazier every day, and full of hate.

I guess the above is a reminder from God that we will feel desperation, we

will fear for our futures and our children's futures. But God has all these

things in His hands, and He created us and all that's around us. He is greater

than all these things but He also knows and cares about them. So while this

won't stop us feeling afraid, we can know He is there and He is bigger than all

this.

So I pray that I may trust in Him, especially in those moments where things

seem most ugly and hopeless, and know that God is greater than all our

human cruelty.

Amen.

Bethan Sollars

Thursday 19th March ~ Hebrews 10.19‐25~ A Call to Persevere or Removing the Lid from the Zeppelin ~ Hébreux 10.19‐25

Jeremiah 19.1‐1 ~ Jérémie 19.1‐13

Psalm 86 ~ Psaumes 86

John 10.22‐end ~ Jean 10.22- fin

 Hebrews 10.19‐25 ~ Hébreux 10.19‐25

A Call to Persevere or Removing the Lid from the Zeppelin

Often we think of curtains, "κουρτίνα", as a piece of cloth, we use, to

separate, to insulate to stop people looking in, keeping the world out.

Here, our unknown author, possibly "Priscilla", is referring to "The Curtain" in

"The Temple of Jerusalem", used to separate the Holy of Holies; God's resting

place on earth, since the covenant with Moses, from the rest of the temple,

from the rest of the world.

Torn from top to bottom on Jesus’ death, as God left his earthy dwelling for

ever, it symbolizes here the sealing of a new covenant, a stairway, where, for

a short time, the gates of heaven are open to all, men and woman of faith,

Jews and Gentiles (Goyim in Hebrew, ἔθνος in Greek).

It is hard to imagine, a world with no churches, where Christians with a

sincere heart in full assurance of faith, must secretly gather in private homes,

drawing near to God at great risk.

It is a call to persevere, a promise made by our great high priest for salvation

and a better world to come as the end approaches.

So think and do not wonder, as you gently and delicately put those earphones

on, drawing that imaginary curtains, before listening to Jimmy and Robert,

think, before secluding yourself from the world around you. Maybe that

stairway and the eternal promise, ἐπαγγέλλομαι, are right there next to you,

waiting for you to seize them wholeheartedly.

God bless you, "ο Θεός να σε ευλογεί".

Peter Geysen

Wednesday 18th March ~ Hebrews 10.1‐18 ~ Hébreux 10.1-18

Jeremiah 18.13‐end ~ Jérémie 18.13- fin

Psalm 90 ~ Psaumes 90

John 10.11‐21 ~Jean 10.11-21

Hebrews  10.1‐18 ~ Hébreux 10.1-18

‘The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming – not the

reality themselves.’ (Heb. 10:1)

Shadows are often very elusive. You can never really pin them down. They

can also look quite daunting, scary, and are often distorted. They are never

quite like the real thing... One can never really interact with shadows. This is

also true with the shadow of good things... the law with annual sacrifices and

offerings (vs. 1‐4)

But the real thing is different! It is approachable. You can see it and

understand it and experience it. Christ is now our real link to God. God did

not desire sacrifices and offerings but a living ‘sacrifice’ of love and

commitment to do His will – exactly what Christ offered (vs. 7). This was the

sacrifice that God accepted once and for all. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we

too now can present ourselves as living sacrifices, ready to do God’s will – and

that is acceptable! A promise has been made that when we accept Christ’s

way, God says, “...I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on

their mind...their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” (vs. 16‐17).

What a wonderful promise! We are now not condemned but fully accepted

by God.

Rose Omondi

Tuesday 17th March ~ John 10.1‐10 ~ Jean 10. 1-10

Jeremiah 18.1‐12 ~ Jérémie 18.1‐12

Psalm 79 ~ Psaumes 79

Hebrews 9.15‐end ~ Hébreux 9. 15- fin

John 10.1‐10 ~ Jean 10. 1-10

St Patrick's Breastplate

“St Patrick’s Breastplate” is often sung or prayed on March 17th. This poem

reminds us that we are always under God’s love, and that we’re to protect

our hearts and minds by clinging to who God is and all that he has done for

us.

In today’s reading, Jesus promises us “life to the full”. David Lose explains: “at

the heart of the Gospel is the resurrection promise of life and possibility and

potential and power. That we are not only saved from something but

also for something, for life in all its abundance here and now.”

Clinging to God’s love and truth – as The Breastplate reminds us to do – stops

us getting trapped up in all the lies the world tells us; lies about identity,

purpose, and worth, which weigh us down and prevent us experiencing life in

its fullness.

As followers of Christ, we’re also to help others experience the John 10:10

promise. What this requires will differ for every individual we meet – food for

the hungry, shelter for the cold, friendship for the lonely, help for young

parents, or a listening ear for the stressed out.

Pray today that we would remember God’s love and promises, and that we

would be given eyes to see how best to share that love with others.

Hannah Bill

Monday 16th March ~ John 9.18‐end ~ Jean 9.18‐fin

Jeremiah 17.5‐18 ~ Jérémie 17.5-18

Psalm 77 ~ Psaumes 77

Hebrews 9.1‐14 ~ Hébreux 9.-14

John 9.18‐end ~ Jean 9.18‐fin

John 9:25, “He (the formerly blind man) replied, “Whether he (Jesus) is a

sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

Often times, I have seen friends, colleagues, and family members of mine

debate the authenticity of Jesus. Who was this man? Was he Lord, lunatic or

liar? Is what he says true? Fully true? How can we know for sure?

My friends and colleagues are much like the crowd of people questioning

Jesus here. “What did He do to you? Was it on the Sabbath that he healed

you?” the Pharisees ask this formerly blind man.

I have been burdened with these same types of questions, and have sought in

the past to find answers proving Christ’s realness through scientific evidence,

historical accounts, and philosophical reasoning.

However, ultimately, I have learned that my heart, love, and passion for this

Jesus‐man, this gracious Saviour and friend, did not spur from intellectual

knowledge, but from an all‐encompassing encounter with a God who loves

unconditionally, who has literally taken my darkness and turned it into light.

My head still doesn’t fully understand the God‐son who is Christ, but I am

glad to serve a being that my brain cannot fully wrap around. What my heart,

head and soul do comprehend is that I have seen Christ’s grace and love

chase me and change me entirely. He has completely transformed my

deepest hurts, my darkest days, and through his love, he has guided me on a

journey towards a vision that becomes clearer each and every day. Praise be

to God.

Bailey Douqué

Sunday 15th March ~ Mothering Sunday ~ 2 Corinthiens 1.3-7 ~ 2 Corinthians 1.3-7

1 Samuel 1.20-28 ~ 1 Samuel 1.20-28

Psalm 34.11-20 ~ Psaumes 34. 11-20


Luke 2.33-35 ~ Luc 2. 33-35

2 Corinthiens 1.3-7 ~ 2 Corinthians 1.3-7

Le réconfort du Seigneur 

Paul a fait une prière de reconnaissance (2 corinthiens 1 :3-7).

Il a rendu grâce à Dieu qui a été à son secours pendant les souffrances.

Ce réconfort que Paul a reçu de Dieu lui a permis de réconforter aussi de sa

part les Corinthiens qui se trouvaient dans le même cas autrement dit qui

traversaient de diverses souffrances.

Frères et sœurs, les souffrances que les chrétiens endurent, sont suivis

toujours par la consolation de Christ.

Les souffrances de Christ abondent en nous de même notre consolation

abonde par Christ.

De ce fait, ils ne doivent pas se décourager, par contre, ils doivent se servir de

cette consolation pour réconforter les autres.

Nous sommes bénis à travers notre Sauveur Jésus Christ !

Les épreuves par les quels je suis moi-même passé m’ont permis de voir la

main de Dieu, et je suis alors appelés à réconforter les autres.

Si vous avez besoin de mon témoignage n’hésitez pas à me contacter !

Que le Seigneur notre Sauveur vous comble de joie, et de bonheur, il est notre

réconfort.

Amen

Frieda Mukanyangezi

Saturday 14th March~ John 9.1-17 ~ Jean 9.1-17

Jeremiah 16.10-17.4 ~ Jérémie 16.10-17.4

Psalm 31 ~ Psaumes 31

Hebrews 8 ~ Hébreux 8

John 9.1-17~ Jean 9.1-17

The Gospel of John teaches us about who Jesus is, how we can come to faith in him, and how we should respond to him. To do this John provides a series of signs. The sign given here is of Jesus restoring physical sight to the blind man, but also giving him spiritual sight. 

Jesus is not concerned with whether there is a connection between the man's blindness and sin. He is concerned about what he can do to restore his sight. Healing begins with an act of obedience when the blind man goes to the pool at Jesus' bidding. Obedience is rewarded with healing, and the man's new faith grows through testing and affirmation, leading ultimately to worship. 

Where do you find yourself in this story?

Jeff Stairs

Adapted from a meditation by Dr. Thomas Powers of Wycliffe College, Toronto. For the original

see http://www.wycliffecollege.ca/news_details.php?nid=519

picture- "El Greco 015" by El Greco - The Yorck Project :10.000 Meisterwerke der Malererie

Friday 13th March ~ Psalm 22~ Psaumes 22

Jeremiah 15.10-end ~ Jérémie 15.10-end
Hebrews 7.11-end ~ Hébruex 7.11- end
John 8.48-end ~ Jean 8.48- end

Psalm 22 ~ Psaumes 22

~~

"My God, my god why have you forsaken me?"- sound familiar? That's just

verse 1 of Psalm 22. How about verse 18 "they divide my garments among 

them and cast lots for my clothing" and verse 8 "He trusts in the Lord, let the 

Lord rescue him".

The New Testament writers must have been very familiar with these verses

and this psalm must have helped them see Jesus as a fulfilment of Old 

Testament prophesy. This son of David was not going to lead them to victory 

in battle like his ancestor but through suffering.

And there is plenty of suffering in the passage, described in the most poetic of

terms - "I am poured out like water", "my heart has turned to wax" and one 

for the real depressives “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and 

despised by the people".

And yet. And yet amidst all this misery and sense of abandonment there is the 

wonder that God is there – has been there from the beginning “Yet you 

brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's 

breast". It is this knowledge that keeps us going through the long, cold nights 

of winter.

And the psalm ends with a message of hope. Not only has the psalmist been

saved but others he has told – and others still to come. "They will proclaim his 

righteousness to a people yet unborn- for he has done it". Yes he has!! 

Richard Steel

Thursday 12th March ~ Psalm 56 ~ God, you have my back ~ Psaumes 56

Jeremiah 14 ~ Jérémie 14

Hebrews 7.1-10 ~  Hébreux 7.1-10

John 8.31-47 ~ Jean 8.31-47

Psalm 56 ~Psaumes 56

God, you have my back... 

Have you ever had those days when you think everything is going wrong,

when nothing seems right, where every conversation seems charged and

stressful, where you feel there is no hope? I think that the Psalmist was

having one of those days when he wrote this magnificent Psalm.. He talks of

being afraid, of feeling hounded yet as he frets and stresses he knows God is

there, he knows God is beside him and he knows that it is in God he can put

his trust.

Putting our trust in God is hard, especially when we may not be sure where

God actually is in our lives. But God wants us to trust him and show himself in

our lives. God is the light that never goes out, even in the darkest of the dark.

He can take away fear and dry our tears. He can catch us before we fall and

help us walk tall. Lent can sometimes seem like a time of darkness, a time

when we wait for the glory and light of the resurrection but even as we wait

we are reminded in this Psalm that God is never gone from us. We do not

have to wait for Him at a special place and a special time. He is here now,

beside us, walking through life with us, even in the darkest of moments and

the darkest of days. What a gift, what a reassurance, what thanks must we

give to our Lord.

Heather Roy

Wednesday 11th March ~ Jeremiah 13.1-11 ~ Becoming a belt! ~ Jérémie 13.1-11

Psalm 38 ~ Psaumes 38

Hebrews 6.13-end ~ Hébreux 6.13-end

John 8.12-30 ~ Jean 8.12-30

 Jeremiah 13.1-11 ~ Becoming a belt! ~ Jérémie 13.1-11 

When I first read this passage I was getting more and more bewildered until

verse 9 when it all became clear. If I was in Jeremiah shoes I would be

thinking the following. Why is God getting me to do these silly things: buying

a pair of shorts or a belt (depending on translation) and look ridiculous,

followed by hiding them in the river thus making them unwearable.

We need to try and achieve God’s original goal namely being close and

faithful to Him and of course only worship Him. This isn’t always as easy in

today’s world with all the distractions everywhere. That’s why we need to try

and be better than the people of Israel and Judah and stay part of the shorts

or belt.

We moeten proberen om sterker van wil te zijn dat de mensen van Israël en

Juda en deel van de gordel blijven.

Jenny Freeman

Photograph

By Hedwig von Ebbel (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Tuesday 10th March ~ John 7.53-8.11 ~ Jean 7.53-8.11

Jeremiah 11.18-12.6 ~ Jérémie11.18-12.6

Psalm 9 ~ Psaumes 9

Hebrews 5.11-6.12 ~ Hébreux 5.11-6.12

John 7.53-8.11 ~ Jean 7.53-8.11

 What a terrible world we live in today . . . .

There are all those wicked people - in Asia ; in the Near East ; in Africa ; in

South America ; etc., etc. - cutting off people's heads, - kidnapping

schoolgirls, - trafficking people into slavery, - dealing in drugs, - 'grooming'

children, - avoiding taxes, - pick-pocketing, - 'breaking -and-entering', -

stealing anything that's not nailed down, - trying to enter countries illegally .

. . . . and Heaven knows what else !

 I wonder why ?

 It is so easy to condemn - - - That woman brought before Jesus was certainly

guilty according to her accusers. But . . . Why did she do it ? Or was she

being raped ? . . . And why did they accuse her before Jesus ? . . . And why

did that crowd all melt away when challenged about their own innocence ?

 How about us ?

And Why. oh Why do people become so desperate, so hungry, so angry, so

greedy, so reckless, and so certain that they are right in their beliefs, that

they carry out those dreadful deeds . . . . ?

 Would doing something about the causes of the misery in the world

make a difference ?

 God Knows . . .

Pam Clements

Monday 9th March ~ John 7.37-52 ~ Jean 7.37-52

Jeremiah 11.1-17 ~ Jérémie 11.1-17
Psalm 5 ~ Psaumes 5
Hebrews 4.14-5.1 ~ Hébreux 4.14-5.1

John 7.37- 52~ Jean 7.37- 52

In this section, we have a striking picture of Jesus’ opponents’ rejection of 

him. This is the low point in Jesus’ ministry: most of his disciples have 

abandoned him, and he’s moving about like a marked man. Nicodemus, one 

of the Pharisees and a ruler, and so one of the establishment, is prepared to 

break ranks to point out the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. The Pharisees have argued 

that Jesus cannot be a prophet “because he comes from Galilee”.

"Beach of Sea of Galilee in summer 2011" by Chmee2 - Own work.

 Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Nicodemus knows that, in rabbinic law, a thorough investigation must be 

made before passing judgement (Deuteronomy chapters 17 and 19). Unlike 

his associates, Nicodemus has done so and has found that there is good 

reason to believe that Jesus is what he says he is: the Son of God and the 

Messiah. 

Let us give thanks for those who have the bravery to uphold the truth. And 

pray that we will be given the strength to do the same. 

Richard Simpson

Sunday 8th March ~ Third Sunday in Lent ~ Psalm 19 ~ Psaumes 19

Exodus 20.1-17 ~ Exode 20.1-17

1 Corinthians 1.18-25  ~ 1 Corinthiens 1.18-25

John 2.13-22 ~ Jean 2.13-22

Psalm 19 ~ Psaumes 19

Attitudes to the law differ. Some find it restrictive, a nuisance. Others look

upon it as a challenge, something to be broken. Refugees, the powerless and

the oppressed long to be protected by it.

The Psalmist tells us that God's law is perfect, trustworthy, right, illuminating,

firm, more precious than gold and sweeter than honey.

His law can make us wise, give us joy, warn us and help us to see our faults.

As we journey through Lent we become more aware of how far we fall short

of the glory of God which the heavens declare to us, but we know that

because of Jesus' death on the cross we can be forgiven and made clean.

Let us continue to allow God to show us our faults as we meditate on his

word, thank him for our salvation and pray for those in need of justice and

protection.

Reçois favorablement les paroles de ma bouche et les sentiments de mon

cœur, O Éternel, mon rocher et mon libérateur.

 Susie Wilkinson

Saturday 7th March ~ Psalm 25 ~ Psaumes 25

Jeremiah 10.17-24 ~ Jérémie 10.17-24

Hebrews 4.1-13 ~ Hébreux 4.1-13

John 7.25-36 ~ Jean 7.25- 36

Psalm 25 ~ Psaumes 25

Johann Sebastian Bach is an ever surprising composer. I have listened and studied

his music so often that one could easily think I know much about it. But I am

always amazed at how different his approach can be, and how little we

understand of his “genius”, although this word is in no way suitable.

For several years, when he worked in Leipzig, he would write one cantata every

week for the Sunday service.

In his cantata 150 Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich (For you, Lord, is my longing),

one of his earliest cantatas (around 1707), he puts Psalm 25 in a wonderful way

with such an exquisite carving of the word freude (Joy/triumph).

“Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be

ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”

Let us bear the Passion of Christ with us during Lent, and come with our whole

open hearts for his resurrection!

Johann Sebastian Bach est un compositeur à jamais étonnant. J'ai écouté et

étudié sa musique tant de fois, que l'on pourrait aisément croire que je le connais

bien. Mais je suis à chaque fois étonné par son approche, et réalise à quel point

nous sommes ignorant par rapport à son génie, aussi inappropriée cette

expression soit-elle.

Pendant plusieurs années, lorsqu'il travaillait à Leipzig, il composait une cantate

chaque dimanche pour le culte.

Dans sa cantate 150 Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich (vers toi Seigneur, mon âme

aspire), l'une de ses premières cantates (vers 1707), il met en valeur le psaume 25

d'une manière particulièrement belle en met en relief le mot freude

(réjouissance) d'une manière exquise.

« Vers toi, Eternel, je me tourne. En toi, mon Dieu, j'ai mis ma confiance. Ne

permets pas que je sois dans la honte, et que mes ennemis se réjouissent de mon

sort. »

Puissions nous porter en nous la Passion du Christ pendent ce Carême, et venir le

cœur grand ouvert vers lui pour sa résurrection !

Julien Boutique

Friday 6th March~ Listen ~ Hebrews 3.7-end ~ Hébreux 3.7- fin

Jeremiah 10.1-16 ~ Jérémie 10.1-16

Psalm 41 ~ Psaumes 41

John 7.14-24 ~ Jean 7.14-24

Hebrews 3.7-end ~ Hébreux 3.7- fin

Listen.

Our lives are filled with noise. We are surrounded in Brussels by the sounds of

the city - traffic, sirens, people chattering in a multitude of languages. We also

tend to fill our lives with extra stuff; our weeks are filled with commitments of

every kind, dinners to keep, co-workers to meet with, markets to visit. Add to

that the desire to volunteer enough, get involved enough, do enough to be

valuable to our fellow people, and what you end up with is a constant buzz of

background noise day-to-day life. When living life in Brussels, it's so easy to

look at our fellow over-achievers and say to ourselves "Just a little bit more. I

can do just a little bit more."

In Hebrews, we read about hearing God’s voice and not hardening ourselves

against it, but rather encouraging one another to listen. When we fill our

moments with noise, what space to we have to be silent and wait for his

voice? In this Lenten season, find moments to stop. Remove some of the buzz

in your days. Give yourself the gift of silence, however fleeting, to simply

listen. His words are enough.

Natalie Jones

Thursday 5th March ~ Jeremiah 9.12-24 ~ Jérémie 9.12-24

Psalm 34 ~ Psaumes 34

Hebrews 3.1-6 ~ Hébreux 3. 1- 6

John 7.1-13 ~ Jean 7.1-13

Jeremiah 9.12-24 ~ Jérémie 9.12-24

Jeremiah tells us there is one source of pride, the knowledge of God, the

knowledge that He is the source of all goodness, law and justice on earth. No

human riches, wisdom or strength is worth anything in comparison. Lent is of

course a time when we can think again about these fundamentals of our

existence. God should be the focal point in our personal lives giving us

principles that help us dealing with daily issues, family conflicts, difficult work

situations. But I guess it is also a message for us Christian citizens of our

respective countries. Efforts to build societies based on freedom, justice and

solidarity may be vain if we don't source our pride from the right place! Love

your neighbour as yourself... Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar...

Food for thought for builders of Democracies!

La seule source de fierté qui vaille c'est celle de la connaissance du Dieu de

justice et de bonté. Elle seule nous donne suffisamment de discernement

pour pouvoir affronter les soucis de notre vie quotidienne. Elle nous aide

aussi dans nos vies de citoyens car les principes de justice, de droit et de

charité sont les fondements indispensables de la démocratie!

Didier Millerot

Wednesday 4th March ~ John 6.60-end ~ Jean 6.60 - fin

Jeremiah 8.18-9.11 ~ Jérémie 8.18 - 9.11

Psalm 35 ~ Psaumes 35

Hebrews 2.10-end ~ Hèbreux 2.10- fin

 John 6.60-end ~ Jean 6.60 - fin

Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters (verse 11)! What an 

amazing thought! He left the glory of heaven to share our human condition, 

he knew what it is to go through all the ups and downs of an earthly life, 

including the experience of being tempted to do wrong. It wasn’t easy for him 

to resist the devil’s fine words but when he went to the cross, as a sinless 

sacrifice, he destroyed the devil’s power over himself but also over us. Now 

Jesus draws alongside us, his brothers and sisters, and offers to help us to 

resist the temptations that we face. Let’s thank him and say yes please! 

Jésus n’a pas honte de nous appeler ses frères et sœurs (verset 11) ! Que c’est 

formidable ! Il a quitté la gloire des cieux pour venir partager notre humanité, 

il connaissait les hauts et les bas de la vie humaine, y compris l’expérience 

d’être tenté par le diable. Il n’était pas facile pour lui de résister aux belles 

paroles de Satan, mais lorsqu’il est mort sur la croix, un sacrifice sans péché, il 

a détruit le pouvoir du diable sur lui-même et aussi sur nous. Maintenant 

Jésus nous vient en aide pour nous offrir la force de résister aux tentations 

qui se présentent. Merci Jésus, viens m’aider ! 

Catherine Roberts

Tuesday 3rd March ~ '...Meat indeed, drink indeed...' John 6.52-59 ~ Jean 6.52-59

Jeremiah 8.1-15 ~ Jérémie 8.1-15

Psalm 50 ~ Psaumes 50

Hebrews 2.1-9 ~ Hébreux 2.1-9

John 6.52-59 ~ Jean 6.52-59

'...Meat indeed, drink indeed...' 

In this gospel passage, Jesus reveals our need for the life he offers (v. 53): ‘I

tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his

blood; you have no life in you’. Just as we cannot survive without food and

drink, we cannot have life without Jesus. Our physical need for nutritious food

pales in comparison to Jesus’ offer of incorruptible spiritual food, which will

give us eternal life. When we eat, the food enters into our body and when we

take Jesus into our lives he enters into our innermost being and 'dwells in us'.

JRR Tolkien said, 'Food is our common ground, a universal experience'. We all

need Jesus and we must continue to eat, drink and grow into the habit of

feasting upon Him daily, as only He can satisfy the deepest needs of our soul.

Susan Rowntree

Monday 2nd March ~ Psalm 32 ~ Psaumes 32

Jeremiah 7.21–end~ Jérémie 7.21- fin

Hebrews 1 ~ Hébreux 1                      

John 6.41–51 ~ Jean 6.41-51

Psalm 32   ~  Psaumes 32

I find this Psalm very moving. It also affirms my view of sin as psychic

suffering, which is liable to be somatised just like all psychic phenomena (the

psalmist's wasting bones). Not the belief that ailments are God's retribution

for our sins visited upon our bodies, but the sense that sin is in essence that

which estranges us from God – that estrangement is what hurts, and we have

ourselves to thank for it, not God.

What moves me in the Psalm is the overwhelming sense of relief that comes

from giving up (self-)deceit and facing the reality of our sin by admitting it to

God. We are taught in so many ways that we control our lives that we can

easily deceive ourselves into believing we actually do. But we don't. By giving

up that illusory (but deeply engrained) control, we go back to God, and He

comes to us, becoming our instructor and guide. Then God's Spirit can

breathe freely through us, and we are cleansed. "The Lord's unfailing love" is

all around us, and instead of wailing, we sing.

Ne soyons pas des dictateurs, réjouissons-nous dans la démocratie de Dieu.

Machtswellust doet pijn, overgave aan God geeft lust.

Tommaso Besozzi

Sunday 1st March ~~ Romans 4.13-25 ~~ Father of Faith

Second Sunday of Lent

Genesis 17.1-7, 15, 16 ~  Genèse 17.1-7, 15, 16

Psalm 22.23-31 ~ Psaumes 22.23-31

Mark 8.31-38 ~ Marc 8.31-38

Romans 4.13-25 ~ Romains 4.13-25

Today is St David's Day. 1st March was a big deal in my secondary school, there

were no lessons, we held an eisteddfod. But this is not the reason why I hold 

St David so dearly. My respect for St David grew living in St David's diocese 

and the annual 'pilgrimages' which our church made to the cathedral. St David 

was a Celtic saint who kept the faith in spite of opposition from Vikings and 

Anglo-Saxons. He was a kind and loving teacher. 

But there are also real live people who have and nourished my faith. My 

grandma sang Jesus loves me as she quietly did her chores, my Girl Guide 

Captain was an example of a life devoted to our people. Auntie Mary looked 

after my little children and did shopping when I was unable to do so and 

encouraged me to renew my Bible daily reading. Uncle Steve always had an 

agenda for a humanitarian cause fired by his faith. There are many others 

young and old, past and present who show me the way of Christ, and I want 

to do that too for you and the others I meet today.

Jane Brown