A prayer for Holy Week

Posted on April 3rd, 2012

Heavenly Father; as we move towards the crucifixion and the sacrifice of your Son on the cross this week, help us to remember you in our hearts and minds.  Help us to make the sacrifices necessary in our own lives, secure in the knowledge that the ultimate sacrifice has ensured our salvation.  Be with us as we make our commitment to live our lives in the spirit of the cross.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Last night I went to a beautiful Taizé service at St. Mary’s in Limpley Stoke (near Bath).  It was very special, especially as I was with a group of people who sang in full four-part harmony for each song.  It makes the experience so much more reminiscent of being in Taizé that I was truly moved.

During the prayers of intercession and the silence in which we could add our own prayer, I reflected on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  The prayer above came to me, which was a real blessing.  I am going to be moving house in a week, to live with my dad after 3 years of living alone and I have been really struggling with the prospect.  I know that it is the right thing to do at this moment in time, but that knowledge doesn’t make it any easier!  But after this reflection on sacrifice and having said this prayer, I felt a sense of peace around the situation.

It really is amazing how prayer is answered in ways we don’t expect, and in every aspect of life.  It’s not just the big things which need prayer and which God pays attention to – it’s everything.  If you are open, I truly believe that God will be with you in ever moment of your life, even if you don’t realise He’s there.

Meditations on Palm Sunday

Posted on April 1st, 2012

Alleluia, how the people cheer
And palm leaves rustle as the king draws near.
~ John Beavis

Entering Holy Week is an experience which is different for each person.  I can remember being at a Taizé service during Lent some 8 or 9 years ago and asking a visiting monk if he enjoyed the service.  His response was that he could not enjoy anything during Lent, which at the time I thought was really peculiar – surely the salvation that comes from Easter is something to rejoice?  I now understand much better where he is coming from, having spent time meditating on the different meanings to be found in the events leading up the resurrection.  But if there is one day which really is about rejoicing, then that day must be today!

Picture this: a man arrives in a city riding a donkey.  He is surrounded by his closest friends and followers, and there are crowds packing the streets to welcome him.  He has achieved celebrity status and everyone is keen to get a look at him – those wanting healing, those to worship, those who want a revolution and those who are just curious.  They lay both their cloaks and palm leaves on the ground to welcome the King just as they are commanded:

And you shall take to you on the first day the fruits of the fairest tree, and branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook: And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God. – Leviticus 23:40

 And the streets echo with praise for the One they are all waiting for, whom they receive with joy and love.

There are different traditions surrounding the marking of Palm Sunday as with all Christian festivals and holy days.  One, from the Orthodox Church, focuses on welcoming Christ into our lives on Palm Sunday, reminding its followers of the nearness of God.  I really like this idea!  Bringing the meaning of Palm Sunday into our own lives is simple in many ways: