There were two processions into Jerusalem that day – one expected, one unexpected – both acts of street theatre. Pilate entered Jerusalem from the west with full military phalanx, as was the custom for roman governors at the beginning of Passover. He might have taken the opportunity to show his Jewish subjects empathy and reverence for their religious devotion, but he didn’t. Pilate wanted to be in Jerusalem in case there was trouble, which there often was during this time of celebrating the Jewish people’s liberation from an earlier empire. As he rode astride a mature stallion to mandated shouts of ‘Lord’ and ‘saviour’ this procession was meant to remind the subjects of Jerusalem that the ruler of Rome was also the son of God – a roman god, but God, nonetheless. It was a theology that put the Roman ruler at the centre, backed by his army, and supported by the domination system of power, all with the complicity of the Temple. … More Read the Passion Story in Holy Week

There were two processions into Jerusalem that day – one expected, one unexpected – both acts of street theatre. Pilate entered Jerusalem from the west with full military phalanx, as was the custom for roman governors at the beginning of Passover. He might have taken the opportunity to show his Jewish subjects empathy and reverence for their religious devotion, but he didn’t. Pilate wanted to be in Jerusalem in case there was trouble, which there often was during this time of celebrating the Jewish people’s liberation from an earlier empire. As he rode astride a mature stallion to mandated shouts of ‘Lord’ and ‘saviour’ this procession was meant to remind the subjects of Jerusalem that the ruler of Rome was also the son of God – a roman god, but God, nonetheless. It was a theology that put the Roman ruler at the centre, backed by his army, and supported by the domination system of power, all with the complicity of the Temple. … More Palm Sunday

The opening verses of chapter 12 leave no doubt as to how we are to interpret our text for the week. Jesus is at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, in Bethany, just to the north of Jerusalem. Lazarus has been raised from the dead by Jesus and is present at the shared meal. Mary has anointed Jesus’ feet. She is reprimanded for such extravagance by Judas, to whom Jesus replied, “leave her alone, it was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.” … More 5th Sunday of Lent

This, the fourth Sunday in Lent, is sometimes referred to as Mid-Lent Sunday. We are more than half way through Lent; twenty-two days have passed and there are only 18 days to go till Easter. It is also Mothering Sunday or more colloquially Mother’s Day. It is as if a candle has been lit in this dark time of year. A candle is often used as a symbol for light, for illumination, for inspiration. Jesus is the true light, and, as our selected verse says, he came into the world but the people preferred darkness. For in that darkness the evil nature of their deeds is not apparent, since it is not illuminated. … More 4th Sunday of Lent

In the other three Gospels this striking event – the ‘cleansing’ of the temple at Jerusalem – occurs immediately after Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem at the start of the week that leads inexorably to his arrest, crucifixion and resurrection. But in St John’s Gospel it comes at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. It is very unlikely that there were two such separate incidents – so disruptive to all who witnessed or learned of them. … More 3rd Sunday of Lent

This is the week when the hard challenges of Lent begin to get very much harder! Immediately before these verses in Mark 8, when Jesus is with the disciples at Caesarea Philippi, Peter has made his confession of faith – or perhaps it is his recognition – when asked by Jesus, ‘Who do you think I am?’ Peter answers, ‘You are the Messiah, the Christ.’ … More 2nd Sunday of Lent

It is the moment in between…

Between call and answer, between revelation and proclamation, between promise and fulfilment. And Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness and there he is tempted. He remains there for forty days and he is with wild animals and the angels minister to him.

… More 1st Sunday of Lent

February sees the transition from the season of Epiphany to the season of Lent in the Christian Year. In the readings from Scripture in the lectionary, we move from a time of gifts-the showing forth of God in unexpected places, such as a shed outside an inn-to a time of struggle and self-examination, marked by Jesus’s going into the wilderness after his baptism by John in the River Jordan. We move from the deep joy of the Incarnation, the Word becoming human in Jesus Christ, to more difficult questions about what that means in practice for the followers of Jesus. How then shall we live? What does it mean to be a disciple, to walk in his way, to be a community of faith? … More Ash Wednesday

Pancakes are associated with Shrove Tuesday, the day preceding Lent, because they are a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. Traditionally, Christians repented of their sins on Shrove Tuesday and were granted absolution by the priest – they were “Shriven.” … More Shrove Tuesday

People’s perceptions of Lent vary wildly. For some it’s a time to trim the waistline or initiate an exercise routine after the failed resolutions of the new year. For some it is a time to pick up a new skill or to develop a routine of bible reading and prayer. Not very long ago Lent was six weeks of austerity where sugar, meat, and fat were forbidden. But what about for us, this year? … More Welcome to Journey of Lent – download our Lent Booklet