Worship that works – spirituality that connects
Palm Sunday service resource
Palm Sunday reflection from the collect/opening prayer
Holy Week reflection from the collect/opening prayer
Holy / Maundy Thursday reflection from the collect/opening prayer
Holy / Maundy Thursday service
Good Friday service
Easter Vigil service
Easter reflection 1 from the collect/opening prayer
Easter reflection 2 from the collect/opening prayer
Lectio Divina – sacred reading
John 8:21-30
Jesus Foretells His Death
21 Again he said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 22Then the Jews said, ‘Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ 23He said to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. 24I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.’* 25They said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Why do I speak to you at all?* 26I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ 27They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. 28So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he,* and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. 29And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.’ 30As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
Almighty God, through the incarnate Word you have caused us to be born anew of an imperishable and eternal seed: Look with compassion upon those who are being prepared for Holy Baptism, and grant that they may be built as living stones into a spiritual temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lectio Divina – sacred reading
John 8:1-20
81while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. 3The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, 4they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ 6They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7When 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.’ 8And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground.* 9When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ 11She said, ‘No one, sir.’* And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’]]*
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ 13Then the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.’ 14Jesus answered, ‘Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15You judge by human standards;* I judge no one. 16Yet even if I do judge, my judgement is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father* who sent me. 17In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. 18I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.’ 19Then they said to him, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.’ 20He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
Be gracious to your people, we entreat you, O Lord, that they, repenting day by day of the things that displease you, may be more and more filled with love of you and of your commandments; and, being supported by your grace in this life, may come to the full enjoyment of eternal life in you everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Text of the readings
All reflections at Category: Lectionary
Exodus 34:28 indicates that the terms of the covenant is literally “ten words” (hence, better “decalogue”). We translate this as the “Ten Commandments”, but of course there are four different numbering systems of where the divisions of the commandments in fact occur (more info here). Another version is found in Deuteronomy 5:6-21. And then there is Exodus 34:11-27. Each commandment appears to have undergone its own complex development, with this final text possibly being post-exilic.
The Mediterranean world was intrigued by paradox and reversal, but also believed, either through logic (Gentiles) or through God’s faithfulness (Israelites) that reality was predictable. Crucifixion runs counter to this world-view. Crucifixion is counter-cultural.
Tyre Shekel
“Remembered” (John 2:17 & 22) are used to indicate the process of reflection and interpretation that the story has undergone in the lengthy process towards it being incorporated into this text. All the gospels record the cleansing of the Temple. The synoptic gospels place it close to Holy Week, relating it to being a cause for the growing antipathy against Jesus. John gives the raising of Lazarus this prominence. Roman denarii and Attic drachmas had pLiturgy › Add New Post — WordPressaortraits that would have been uncacceptable for paying Temple tax (cf. Matthew 17:27). Hence, moneychangers converted these into Tyre coinage which was acceptable (image – more here).
It appears Caiaphas may have introduced holding the animals, required for sacrifice, within the Temple complex, rather than outside its precincts.
The Amidah, or Shmona Esre, the eighteen benedictions central to Jewish liturgy, continues to pray at number fourteen Bo’ne Yerushalayim – asking God to rebuild Jerusalem with its temple and re-establish the Kingdom of David. This gospel text has a similar combination of temple and messianic expectation, but surprisingly within its Medditeranaean context connects it all to Jesus’ risen body.
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Lectio Divina – sacred reading
Matthew 5:43-48
Love for Enemies
43 ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters,* what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
O God, by your Word you marvelously carry out the work of reconciliation: Grant that in our Lenten fast we may be devoted to you with all our hearts, and united with one another in prayer and holy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The latest edition of the newspaper The New Zealand Catholic has the following story:
CHRISTCHURCH – Blessed Mary MacKillop and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta could soon feature in Anglican liturgies in New Zealand.
In 2006, the Rev. Bosco Peters, Christ’s College chaplain and webmaster of the ecumenical liturgy site www.liturgy.co.nz, proposed a motion to that end at the Christchurch diocesan synod.
If the formal approval process is completed, these names would join other post-reformation Catholics in New Zealand’s Anglican calendar.
A New Zealand Prayer Book – He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, published in 1989, has Sts John Vianney, Maximillian Kolbe, Rose of Lima, Teresa of Avila, Martin de Porres and Francis Xavier in its calendar, as well as Mother Suzanne Aubert, founder of New Zealand’s only religious order – the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion.
“There is no thought that holiness is limited to Anglicanism,” Rev. Peters said.
He also proposed C.S. Lewis and Taizé’s Br Roger be added to the calendar.
New Zealand’s Anglican church produced its first revised calendar in 1972, including post-Reformation Catholics.
Before then it used material from older Church of England calendars, which included pre-Reformation saints, but not the later Catholic figures.
The formal process for approval requires passing a bill at General Synod, positive votes at diocesan synods and equivalents, a confirmation by a newly-elected General Synod and a year’s wait to see if there are any appeals.
“After this is becomes part of our binding shared liturgical life,” he said.
The move has yet to go through General Synod a second time, but Rev. Peters said it is uncontroversial.
Readings and prayers for the relevant days are being prepared for the celebration of the Eucharist, he said.
by MICHAEL OTTO
Lectio Divina – sacred reading
Matthew 5:20-26
20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Concerning Anger
21 ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” 22But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,* you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult* a brother or sister,* you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell* of fire. 23So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister* has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister,* and then come and offer your gift. 25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court* with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Lord Christ, our eternal Redeemer, grant us such fellowship in your sufferings, that filled with your Holy Spirit, we may subdue the flesh to the spirit, and the spirit to you, and at the last attain to the glory of your resurrection; who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lectio Divina – sacred reading
Matthew 7:7-12
Ask, Search, Knock
7 ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? 10Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? 11If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
The Golden Rule
12 ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
Strengthen us, O Lord, by your grace, that in your might we may overcome all spiritual enemies, and with pure hearts serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lectio Divina – sacred reading
Luke 11:29-32
The Sign of Jonah
29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31The queen of the South will rise at the judgement with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! 32The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!
Bless us, O God, in this holy season, in which our hearts seek your help and healing; and so purify us by your discipline that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
If you’ve got no sense of humour don’t look at the following. If you do – let your friends know this URL
(Link for those interested in the actual background of this clip)
Lectio Divina – sacred reading
Matthew 6:7-15
7 ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 ‘Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.*
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not bring us to the time of trial,*
but rescue us from the evil one.*
14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Grant to your people, Lord, grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh ad the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only True God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I just saw the 2008 wonderful movie “Doubt”. I have previously seen this 2004 play by John Patrick Shanley on stage. The story is a strong parable about the place of doubt in our uncertain world and lives – even binding us together, and, clearly, sometimes driving us apart.
Some people, the story suggests, shore up our nagging, disorientating doubts with rules, regulations and prejudice.
The sisters in the story are based on the Sisters of Charity of New York. These were founded by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and have much in common with the Daughters of Charity founded by St. Vincent de Paul.
Some of the symbolism, in this Lenten season, is very overt. Holding the image of the crucified Jesus Sister Aloysius reminds us that sometimes in the pursuit of evil one takes a step away from God.
The issue of inappropriate priestly behaviour, so topical, is only one dimension, however, of this exploration of the strengths and weaknesses, the positiveness and abuses, of our religious tradition and our scaffolding for healthy spiritual growth. The place of doubt as the growing edge of our faith is here provided with a strong platform for reflection – although personally I found the immediacy of the play more gripping and gruelling than this film adaptation.
Part of what broke the suspension of disbelief was the very opening shot with the 1960s Father Flynn with his wonderful sermon – but wearing his stole over his chasuble in a very (anachronistic) un-1960s fashion! (pictured) This seemed to be the style of his green vesting, absent when he vested in purple. The singing by the choir of a (now) well-known Taize chant also stretched credibility. If you are going to have a detective movie – get some police advice. If you are going to show a surgery – get a surgeon’s advice. If you are going to show a religious movie (and it’s great these are in the mainstream!) please get some appropriate, competent ecclesiastical advice. I’m here Hollywood (price on application)!
Watch out for the magnificent sermon on gossip.
(Watch for stole shot – 47 seconds)
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