Today is Easter Sunday, the day of resurrection
Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed, alleluia. The Gospel reading for today is Luke’s account of how the women (including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James) came to the tomb on the first Easter morning. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. Then the two men in dazzling clothes spell out the implications of the empty tomb: ‘He is not here, but has risen.’ The empty tomb points to the Easter message of new life. For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of the Easter Bunny. In today’s picture from his book, The Sunny Morning, Teddy Horsley runs after the rabbits hopping on the path, as he makes his way to the Easter Sunday service in his local church. Lord Jesus Christ, you are risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia! Bring us to share the new life of your Easter resurrection, that we may live with you for ever; for you are risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia! Amen. Next week, the Second Sunday of Easter, the Gospel reading is John’s account of Jesus’ coming and standing among his disciples on the evening of Easter Day. The image to help us for next week’s theme is hearing. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.
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Today is Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday introduces us to the events of Holy Week, beginning with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Each of the three synoptic Gospels tells the story in a slightly different way, but the key idea remains the same. Drawing on imagery from the Old Testament, the Gospel writers make it plain that Jesus is entering Jerusalem, riding on a colt, as Messiah. Many local churches now capture the Palm Sunday theme by arranging a procession through the streets. Some of these processions include a donkey.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of donkey. In popular imagination the donkey becomes involved in two major journeys in Jesus’ life, carrying him to Bethlehem (the place of his birth) and to Jerusalem (the place of his death). In today’s picture from his book, Lights, Teddy Horsley is seen alongside the donkey in Bethlehem. Lord Jesus Christ, when you rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, you were greeted with shouts of praise. Yours is the glory, Yours is the kingdom, Yours is the praise, now and always. Amen. Next week, Easter Sunday, celebrates the empty tomb and the resurrection of Jesus. The image to help us for next week’s theme is the Easter Bunny. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Today is the Fifth Sunday of Lent. The fifth Sunday of Lent initiates Passiontide and prepares the people of God for the events of Holy Week when Jesus will be arrested and crucified. During Passiontide, we approach the death of Jesus in confidence of the resurrection. In John’s Gospel, when Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume, she prefigured his burial. But all this was done in the very place where Lazarus had already been raised from the dead. So, too, will Jesus be raised from the dead after his burial.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of cemetery. In today’s picture from their book, Cross, Aled and Sian are looking over the cemetery wall at the gravestones and memorials. Lord Jesus Christ, by your cross you teach us that death is the gateway to life. Bless and comfort all those who mourn, that they may hold fast your promise of life eternal; now and always. Amen. Next week, Palm Sunday, reminds us of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding on a colt. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is donkey. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, when the Gospel reading is Luke’s parable of the two sons. Chapter 15 of Luke’s Gospel contains three interconnected narratives, concerning the one lost sheep (from a field of one hundred), the one lost coin (from a set of ten), and the one lost son (from a family of two). Each narrative concluded with invitation to celebrate because what was lost has been found. Yet there is an added twist to the narrative of the lost son, because his brother refused to join the celebration.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of homecoming. In today’s picture from his book, Hide and Seek, Teddy Horsley is delighted to have been found and to have been welcomed back home. Lord Jesus Christ, when we are lost, you welcome us back home with you. Inspire us to follow your example, and to welcome all who turn to you, for with you everyone is welcome, now and always. Amen. Next week, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading is John’s account of Jesus being anointed, prefiguring his death. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is cemetery. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Today is the Third Sunday of Lent, when the Gospel reading is Luke’s parable of the barren fig tree. God looks for proper fruit from the people of God, just as the owner of a fig tree looks for fruit from that tree. The gardener gives the fig tree one more chance by nurturing it. So Jesus gives the people of God one more chance. Here is one of Luke’s distinctive images of Jesus’ Messiahship of which we are reminded during Lent. For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of gardening. In today’s picture from his book, Explorer, Teddy Horsley is busy in his garden taking care of the plants. Lord Jesus Christ, you look for fruit from your people. shape our lives with your care and love, that you may not be disappointed by the fruit we bear; for you are our God. Amen. Next week, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading is Luke’s parable of the two sons. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is homecoming. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Today is the Second Sunday of Lent, when the Gospel reading begins to prepare us for Holy Week and Good Friday. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem has particular power and poignancy as the place in which he will meet his death. In this passage Jesus sets his own impending death in the context of the prophets who have been killed in Jerusalem. There is also an elliptical reference to the third day on which Jesus finishes his work. The third day is the day of resurrection.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of crucifix. In today’s picture from his website, Teddy at Bangor Cathedral, Teddy Horsley gazes at the Rood hanging above the choir screen. The Rood portrays Jesus on the cross, with Mary his mother on one side and one of his disciples on the other side. Lord Jesus Christ, for you the cross of shame became the cross of glory. Give us grace to follow in the way of the cross, that we may share in your resurrection life; for your name’s sake. Amen. Next week, the Third Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading is Luke’s parable of the barren fig tree. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is gardening. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Today is the First Sunday of Lent. All three synoptic Gospels portray Jesus’ ministry beginning with a period of forty days in the wilderness tempted by Satan. Both Matthew and Luke describe three of the temptations experienced. Each of these three temptations challenges Jesus to adopt a model of Messiahship which would win power and wide public appeal, and not lead to the inevitable cross on Good Friday. In the second of the temptations described by Luke (the third in Matthew’s order) Jesus contemplates the opportunity of commanding worldly fame and power.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of celebrities. In today’s picture from his book, Music Makers, Teddy Horsley feels that he too has become a celebrity with his performance on the drums. Lord Jesus Christ, you never followed false gods. Keep us loyal to our faith in you, that we may never give to others the worship due to you; now and always. Amen. Next week, the Second Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading begins to prepare us for Holy Week and Good Friday. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is crucifix. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Today is the Sunday next before Lent, the Sunday that brings to a close the season of Epiphany that is concerned with the theme of revelation, how the presence and power of God is made known through the person of Jesus. On the first Sunday after Epiphany, in Luke’s account of the baptism of Jesus, the voice from heaven spoke to Jesus, ‘You are my Son’. On the last Sunday after Epiphany the same voice at the transfiguration proclaims to everyone, ‘This is my Son’. This time the divine revelation enfolds Jesus, appropriately in a cloud. This cloud is an image for the divine glory.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of white clouds. In today’s picture from his book, The Rainy Day, Teddy Horsley is gazing at the white clouds scudding across the blue sky. Lord Jesus Christ, your disciples saw your glory on the mount of the transfiguration. Open our hearts to the power of your glory, and transform our lives by the power of your presence; for you are our God. Amen. Next week, the First Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading is Luke’s account of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is celebrities. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Today is the Second Sunday before Lent. While still in the season of Epiphany, the Church is exploring and celebrating various ways in which Jesus was revealed and made known to others. The Gospel writers demonstrate Jesus’ power over the forces of evil and chaos. Jesus has already driven out demons and cured the possessed. In today’s narrative Jesus is doing more than simply calming a storm at sea. In this narrative Jesus is engaging with the primordial forces of chaos, just as God overcame the forces of the storm in the original act of creation. No wonder that the disciples were afraid and amazed.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of storms. In today’s picture from his book, The Windy Day, Teddy Horsley is experiencing the force of the wind and waves on his little boat. Lord Jesus Christ, you bring calm to the storm. Bring your peace to our troubled lives, your peace to our troubled world; now and always. Amen. Next week, the Sunday next before Lent, the Gospel reading concludes the Epiphany theme with Luke’s narrative of the Transfiguration of Jesus, when a cloud came and overshadowed Jesus. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is white clouds. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Today is the Third Sunday before Lent. While still in the season of Epiphany, the Church is exploring and celebrating various ways in which Jesus was revealed and made known to others. Today’s Gospel reading presents Jesus’ teaching from Luke’s Sermon on the Plain. Like Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, Luke’s Sermon on the Plain begins with a set of beatitudes, statements beginning, ‘Blessed are you’. Another translation of these beatitudes reads ‘Happy are you’. In Luke’s sermon these beatitudes are accompanied by a set of calamities, statements beginning ‘Woe to you’. The beatitudes and calamities are well shaped easy to remember sentences. The three calamities are the opposites of the three beatitudes.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of happy faces. In today’s picture from his book, The Sunny Morning, Teddy Horsley is leaning on the gate and smiling at all he can see and enjoy. Lord Jesus Christ, you showed your people the way of happiness. Open our hearts to the truth of your teaching, so we may find happiness in you; now and always. Amen. Next week, the Second Sunday before Lent, the Gospel reading is Luke’s narrative of Jesus calming the storm at sea. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is storms. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. |
supporting you during these uncertain times AuthorLiverpool Cathedral is a place of encounter. Built by the people, for the people, to the Glory of God Archives
September 2022
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Prayer for Liverpool
brought to you from Liverpool Cathedral St James Mount Liverpool L1 7AZ |
Liverpool Cathedral is a place of encounter.
Built by the people, for the people, to the Glory of God www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk |