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.
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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. Today is known as the Fourth 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. This Gospel reading is Luke’s account of how Simon (also called Peter), James and John came to leave their trade as fishermen to be followers of Jesus. Just as they were to catch many people for the Kingdom, so Jesus enabled them to land a large catch of fish.
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 fish. In today’s picture from his book, Teddy Horsley meets Jesus’ Disciples, Teddy Horsley is helping with the great catch of fish. Lord Jesus Christ, you rewarded your disciples for putting their trust in you. Help us so to trust your promises, that we too may receive the reward you have prepared for us; for your name’s sake. Amen. Next Sunday, the Third Sunday before Lent, the Gospel reading is from Luke’s collection of Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Plain. This includes three beatitudes. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is happy faces. 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 Epiphany. The Gospel reading takes us to the Presentation of Christ in the temple. In Luke’s account, Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem for the ceremony of the purification of the mother forty days after the birth. In the temple the Holy Spirit inspires Simeon and Anna to prophesy about the infant Jesus’ future. In verse 32 Simeon speaks of Jesus as a light bringing God’s salvation to the Gentiles as well as to the Jewish people.
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 lights. In today’s picture from their book, Light, Aled and Sian are playing ‘I spy’ and looking for different kinds of light. Lord Jesus Christ, you bring light in darkness and hope in despair. Send your light into our lives, so we may live to praise your name; through time and through eternity. Amen. Next Sunday, the Fourth Sunday before Lent. The Gospel reading is Luke’s account of the great catch of fish that preceded the call of the first disciples. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is fish. 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 Epiphany. The Gospel reading in Luke’s account of how Jesus began his ministry. Luke begins not with the call of the first disciples, but with Jesus returning to his hometown of Nazareth and teaching in the synagogue there. In this passage Luke is concerned to show that Jesus’ ministry was clearly foretold in the Old Testament. The very same Holy Spirit who inspired God's people in the Old Testament is now anointing Jesus to do the work of God. The message of continuity with the past is symbolised by the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
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 scrolls. In today’s picture from their book, Exploring Judaism, Dan takes his friend Rees to his synagogue to meet the Rabbi and to learn about the scrolls. Lord God, you speak with your people through the words of scripture. Help us to hear your word, and to heed your voice; today and always. Amen. Next Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany, takes us to the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, when Jesus is greeted by Simeon as ‘a light for revelation to the Gentiles’. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is lights. 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 Epiphany. The Gospel reading takes us to John’s account of the wedding at Cana that is placed immediately after the first disciples follow Jesus. When wine runs out, Jesus replenishes the supply. In verse 11 John explains why he starts with this story: it ‘is the first of the signs by which Jesus revealed his glory and led his disciples to believe in him’. It is no accident that the first sign takes place at a wedding feast. In Jewish thought the wedding feast is a way of speaking about God's kingdom, when the Messiah will preside at the banquet.
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 wedding reception. In today’s picture from their book, Celebrations, Aled and Sian bring presents and cards to join in the celebration. Lord Jesus Christ, you were welcomed to the wedding at Cana. Make us ready to be welcomed to the feast in your kingdom; for you are our God. Amen. Next Sunday, the Third Sunday of Epiphany, takes us to Luke’s account of how Jesus began his ministry in his hometown of Nazareth within the synagogue. The image to help us stimulate reflection on the synagogue is scrolls. 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 the Church is celebrating the Baptism of Christ. The Gospel reading is Luke’s account of the baptism of Jesus. More than the other evangelists, Luke emphasises the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ baptism. In Luke’s account, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in bodily form like a dove. The words spoken by the voice from heaven, ‘You are my Son’ echo Psalm 2, a psalm used to celebrate the anointing of kings.
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 dove. In today’s picture from his book, Water, Teddy Horsley looks at the stained glass window, where he sees the dove descending at Jesus’ baptism. Lord Jesus Christ, the holy dove came down at your baptism. Let that same dove bring the Spirit of peace to our lives; now and always. Amen. Next Sunday, the Second Sunday of Epiphany, takes us to John’s account of the Wedding at Cana, where the wine ran out. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is wedding reception. 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
May 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 |