Jesus, the Man of Majesty. 9–16 April 2006

The readings and thoughts in this series are adapted from the book ‘The Way of Love’ by Brother Ramon SSF, illustrated by Molly Dowell which is now out of print. You are invited to set aside a regular time during Lent to consider them. Begin with quietness, then read the passage slowly as many times as you find helpful, look at the thoughts here and spend time in openness before God. You may like to include the suggested intercession topics as well

INTERCESSIONS

This week you might like to focus your prayers on the events at St. Matthews that reflect this time.

SUNDAY 9. Zech 9:9&ndah;10 & Luke 19:28–41 The way of love

Processional joy at the outset moves to an awareness that the shadow of the cross is beginning to dominate.

Ride on, ride on in majesty, in lowly pomp ride on to die:
In Christ your triumph now begin o'er captive death and conquered sin.

MONDAY 10. Matthew 26:31–35, 69–75 The way of Peter

This is not the end of the story. There is another narrative of affirmation (John 21:15–17), but we cannot take that jump today. Today we are on the last lap of that journey which leads us up the hill called Calvary. Today we enter more deeply into the meaning of the cross, and realise a little more clearly our own denials of love—and yet Jesus looks upon us in compassion and understanding. We stand with Peter at the beginning of Holy Week and sing quietly the words which another great sinner wrote out of his own experience:

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me;
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see.

TUESDAY 11. Matt 26:14–25, 47–56; 27:3–10 The way of Judas

Lord Jesus, wounded in the house of your friends:
As we look into our hearts we are aware of our denials of your grace and our betrayals of your love.
Come, Lord Jesus, and dwell in those depths of which we are hardly aware, redeem those areas of our lives which, left to us, would lead us into sin;
deliver us from sitting in judgement on others, and enlarge our understanding of the measure of your redemption. Amen

WEDNESDAY 12. John 13:21–30; 18:15–16; 21:20–25 The way of John

Will you seek to accompany Jesus closely during these last days of Holy Week?

THURSDAY 13. John 13:1–17 Washing of feet

Imagine the scene for Peter, Judas, John

How about you? Our Lord Jesus comes to you, girded with humility and tenderness, and takes your soiled feet into his hands, washing, drying, kissing and anointing them for service, for pilgrimage for following. Will you let him do it?

FRIDAY 14. John 19:16–27 The foot of the cross

Do not be afraid of solitude, sorrow and meditation on the dying of Jesus on this day. it is out of such times of meditation and confrontation with those deep truths that new life appears, and Good Friday is especially the appropriate day.

SATURDAY 15. Matt 27:57–66 & 1 Peter 3:18–20 A new tomb in the hewn rock

I cannot begin to understand the measure of such love, but I wait today, with bated breath—for something is about to happen.

SUNDAY 16. John 20:1–18 Let the alleluias begin!

Well here it is—here he is today—confronting Mary Magdalene while the exciting implications of the empty tomb are being spread by Peter and John among the disciples. And here he is, before you and me in the secret quietness of our sharing together. He is here! He is risen! Let the alleluias begin!

After listening to the gospel reading at today’s eucharist, and sharing joyful worship with fellow believers, wander out into the fields, parkland or even a garden, and spend fifteen minutes reflecting on the Holy Spirit's manifestation of resurrection life in the buds, blossoms and flowers of springtime—and add your praises to theirs.