The Reproaches (the Improperia) are a set of statements that Jesus says from the cross to his people. Dating from the Middle Ages, they were lost in the Reformation to churches in our tradition but have been reclaimed by both Anglicans and Presbyterians. They are a sombre call to reflect on how we live on […]
Maundy Thursday – the shadows lengthen
Maundy Thursday, 2020 The shadows lengthen. In ordinary times, we would be gathering in the sanctuary to hear the story of friends gathered around a table for the last time. We would extinguish candles as we recounted the shadows that surrounded Jesus this night: the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Peter, the hate and […]
5 April 2020 Palm Sunday reflection
Palm Sunday reflection: Who is this? Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 118: 19-end; Phil. 2:5-11; Matthew 21:1-11 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ Seated on the back of a donkey, surrounded by noisy crowds whose joy could not be contained, Jesus’ triumphal entry turned heads and set tongues to […]
Minister’s Reflection – 29 Mar 2020 – Death and Life
Bible Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45 Image: Shibboleth, Doris Salcedo (Tate Modern, 2007)[1] The image above is from an artwork by Doris Salcedo, a Columbian artist, who installed it in the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in 2007. It is a huge crack in the Hall floor. Those of you […]