Listen to Susannah’s Story Read Matthew 26:6-13Mark 14:3-9Luke 7:36-50John 12:1-8 When Susannah’s father gives her an alabaster jar he says: ‘Something precious for the most precious person I know. Open it on a special occasion, dear one.’Have you ever been given something precious? Have you ever kept something for a special occasion? When you picture …
Category Archives: Monastic
Women of Holy Week, Anna’s Story (3)
Listen to Anna’s Story Read Luke 2:22-38 and Mark 12:38-44 Anna talks of visiting her great aunt and listening to old stories of her faith.Who are the storytellers in your own life? Her great aunt tells her ‘It’s your story, too- never let them paint you out.’Which Biblical women have inspired you? Image © Ally …
Women of Holy Week, Sarah’s Story (2)
Listen to Sarah’s Story Read Mark 11:27-12:34 What do you hear in Sarah’s description of being in Jerusalem for Passover?Have you ever made a pilgrimage? What did you learn about yourself.? When Sarah listens to Jacob’s experience in the Temple she shares his love of the Law and the debates that are had. What the …
Palm Sunday
Isaiah 50:4-7Philippians 2:6-11Luke 22:14-23:56 Each morning he wakes me to hear,to listen like a disciple.The Lord has opened my ear. As we begin Holy Week the Church invites us on a journey. This week is like no other in the year. The Church tells her story in words and images, in ritual and drama, and …
Saturday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Ezekiel 37:21-28John 11:45-56 I shall make a covenant of peace with them, an eternal covenant with them. I shall resettle them and increase them; I shall settle my sanctuary among them for ever. We have met the prophet Ezekiel already during Lent. Woven together with warnings and reminders of just how much Israel has …
Friday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Jeremiah 20:10-13John 10:31-42 As we get closer to Holy Week there is a sense of growing tension in every encounter that Jesus has. He is challenged on every level and his responses only add to the confusion of his hearers. Today he makes a very simple appeal: if you don’t believe in me, at least …
Thursday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Genesis 17:3-9Psalm 104(105):4-9John 8:51-59 The Lord remembers his covenant for ever. Using the responsorial psalm verse as a repeated prayer or mantra can often be a very helpful way into the Liturgy of the Word. It’s especially helpful today as the theme of covenant links our readings. God’s faithfulness to us and our faithfulness to …
Wednesday in Fifth Week of Lent
Daniel 3:14-20,24-25,28John 8:31-42 In much of John’s Gospel Jesus speaks to people who struggle to understand him. He speaks figuratively and his hearers assume he is being concrete. We, however, are so used to quotations from the Gospels and usually can grasp their meaning. ‘If you make my word your homeyou will indeed be my …
Tuesday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Numbers 21:4-9John 8:21-30 Each year as we get closer to Holy Week I find that the readings are a little more complex than those we read in the early weeks of Lent. The texts from John’s Gospel ask a little more of me. John writes in a register which I feel requires me to hold …
Monday in the Fifth Week of Lent
JOHN 8:12-20 As we move towards Holy Week there is a sense of growing tension in our Gospel texts. Jesus’ actions are being watched very closely and every word of his teaching is being scrutinised. Vigorous debate and cross questioning were an important part of the faith world of Jesus. It’s easy to forget this …