11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They … Continue reading The Easter Promise of New Hope

A Good Friday Meditation 44By now it was about midday and a darkness fell over the whole land, which lasted until three in the afternoon: 45the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Then Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit’; … Continue reading Why the Cross and not the Empty Tomb?

7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,‘Hosanna!   Blessed is the one who comes in the name … Continue reading Jesus and Defiance of Authority

17So (Jesus) came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.  Ephesians 2:17-18 I mentioned in a recent post that I gave up all news for Lent three years ago. It was not easy. … Continue reading Shalom and Christ’s Peace

What follows is the first of a series of sermons and accompanying prayers that will be pasted up on this site every Sunday morning at 9am, for as long as church services are suspended. This first one addresses the current situation, but in future weeks, I propose not to restrict myself to what’s happening in … Continue reading Cheerfulness and Gratitude

‘Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large.’ (Wikipedia definition) Less than six months ago, I placed a post on this site entitled ‘What’s the purpose of the Church of England?’ In view … Continue reading Is there any purpose to the Church of England?