Holy Week

We took a few days break last week in the west country to relax and recharge after a busy few weeks at school, in the cathedral and on the road. The weather was wild, and it rained a lot, so we didn’t get as much walking done as we would have liked. However, I loved simply standing watching the sea crash against the shore and it reminded me of just how powerful the wind and waves are and of course just how powerful our God is. The natural world never ceases to amaze me, and I love the way in which God has created, as well as the enormous crashing waves, even the minutest detail in plants, flowers, grass and stones, for us to enjoy. What an amazing Creator God we serve!

And so we begin Holy Week having rested and taken time out to think deeply about God and our relationship with Him. Bishop Graeme our Acting Dean at Chichester Cathedral has written this –

‘The Season of Lent is a time of introspection, as we think of those dark days that led to Jesus, Son of God, hanging broken on the cross. Imagine the disciples, in their overwhelming fear and their grief, and parallels with our own broken world will not be far behind. Friend, I invite you not to despair, but to trust. Come and stand before God, just as you are. He welcomes you, accepts you, wherever you are on your journey. You are his child. So bring your hope, bring your sorrow. Your doubts and fears. And together, we will trust in God; learning, day by day through Lent of the depth of his love. The joy of Easter is coming!’

This week is a time for contemplation, to think on Christ, and the final days leading up to His crucifixion. This hymn keeps coming into my mind. From a very young age Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was known to be a very gifted writer. He wrote around 750 hymns including many for children. I find the words extremely moving and powerful, they really sum up what the Gospel means to me.

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

Let Us Pray

Please take some time out this week to meditate on Christ’s journey throughout this whole historic week. From the triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus sacrifice on the Cross and His glorious Resurrection.

Pray Psalm 36:

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens and your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness stands like the strong mountains, your justice like the great deep; you, Lord, shall save both man and beast. How precious is your loving mercy, O God! All mortal flesh shall take refuge under the shadow of your wings. They shall be satisfied with the abundance of your house; they shall drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the well of life and in your light shall we see light. O continue your loving-kindness to those who know you and your righteousness to those who are true of heart. Amen

And so, we look forward to Easter Sunday, to the resurrection and the hope that is ours for all eternity.

Thank you Jesus.