Holy Saturday – in the Grave
Read: Luke 23:50-56
- What, if anything, stands out to you?
Listen: Stations of the Cross by Malcolm Guite 13 and 14 click on the numbers to get the audio
Artwork: two choices today:
‘The Deposition’ Ugolino de Nerio – look close up at the faces of Mary and Jesus
or Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’ sculpture (click on the titles to see the paintings)
- Both these pieces depict the raw emotion of a Mother with her dead son. Can you feel the sorrow through the artwork?
Prayer Points:
- As we come to the end of the week’s reflections, why not commit yourself afresh to the Lord? You could use this prayer – The Methodist Covenant Prayer which Methodists repeat every year in committing themselves afresh to the Lord.
I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,
exalted for you or brought low for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
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Good Friday – The Crucifixion
Read: Mark 15:21-41 perhaps 2 or 3 times
- What, if anything, stands out to you?
- Imagine yourself in the text, at the foot of the cross, how does it make you feel?
Listen: Stations of the Cross by Malcolm Guite 11 and 12 click on the number to get the audio
Painting: ‘St John of the Cross’ by Salvador Dali Click on the title to see the painting
- This painting was inspired by a drawing, kept in the Convent of the Incarnation in Avila, Spain, which was done by Saint John of the Cross after he had seen a vision of Christ during a powerful spiritual experience. Dali talks of the unity of the world in Christ through his own interpretation. What does it speak of to you?
Song: Strange way by Martyn Joseph
- A cleverly written song on the Crucifixion, have a listen to the lyrics and see what stands out to you and think about why.
Prayer Points
- We sometimes talk of nailing our burdens or our sin to the cross. What do you need to let go of and give to the Lord right now? Lift it to him in prayer.
- Pray for those who are persecuted for their Christian faith around the world.
- Pray for those you know struggling in their faith
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Maundy Thursday – The Last Supper
Read: Luke 22: 7-30 and/or John 13:1-17
- What, if anything, stands out to you?
Listen: Stations of the Cross by Malcolm Guite 9 and 10, click on the number to hear the audio
Painting: ‘Journey with Jesus’ by He Qi click on the title to see the image
- There is much symbolism and many references in this picture, what stands out to you?
- Where would you be in this picture?
Prayer Points:
- Focus on the line from Luke ‘…my blood is poured out for you…’ Spend some time thanking God for the amazing sacrifice he made for you.
- Pray for those in positions where service is key, perhaps the emergency services, medical staff or armed forces.
- Pray for those who serve you personally. At home, work, church or in the community…
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Wednesday – Betrayal
Read: John 13: 18-30, perhaps 2 or 3 times.
- What, if anything, stands out to you?
- How do you feel about Judas? Was he purely evil? Was he deceived by the Devil? Do you think he had a choice about what he went to do?
Listen: Stations of the Cross by Malcolm Guite 7 and 8, click on the numbers to get the audio.
Painting: ‘The Bound lamb (Agnus dei)’ by Francisco de Zubaran click on the title to see the picture
- The image of Jesus as the pure and innocent lamb is very powerful, especially as depicted here tied and bound and completely helpless. Does this help you to focus on the idea of Christ as a pure sacrifice? Or on the idea of betrayal? Have you ever betrayed Jesus?
Prayer Points:
- Lift up to the Lord any situations where you feel you have let him down, perhaps even betrayed him, seek his forgiveness.
- Pray for those who are helpless in our wider world, for example those starving in the current famine in East Africa. (Tearfund has some prayer points here)
- Pray for those close to you who feel helpless in a situation they face
Visit: Pop into our Easter Encounter Space at TRINITY Southover, open all day today from 10am – 10pm. Explore the Easter story through the prayer stations.
And/or Join us for worship and prayer 8-9pm at TRINITY Southover
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Tuesday – The Greatest Commandment
Read: Matthew 22: 34-40, perhaps 2 or 3 times.
- What, if anything, stands out to you?
- How important are these commandments to you in your life? In what ways do you show the love of Christ in your daily life?
Listen: Stations of the Cross by Malcolm Guite 5 and 6, (click on the numbers of get the audio)
Painting: ‘God Hold Me’ by Charlie Mackesy
Available here but you need to scroll down to item 74
- Can you imagine yourself in this painting?
- Can you think of a time when you have experienced God holding you in this way? Perhaps you might need to experience this now in a situation you face?
Article: Holy Week in an Unholy World
- Does this article resound with you?
Prayer Points:
- As above, imagine God holding you in an embrace like the painting. Can you invite him into a particular situation you are facing?
- For situations in the world that need God’s embrace more than ever right now, for example for those grieving in Syria
- For someone you know who needs to feel God’s embrace afresh today
Visit: Pop into our Easter Encounter Space at TRINITY Southover, open all day today from 10am – 10pm. Explore the Easter story through the prayer stations.
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Monday – Cleansing of the Temple
Read: Mark 11: 15 – 19, perhaps 2 or 3 times.
- What, if anything, stands out to you?
- What are the things that make you angry? Why not spend some time thinking about a time when you were angry, frustrated or annoyed recently. Spend some time reflecting on how Jesus might have reacted to that situation?
Listen: Stations of the Cross by Malcolm Guite 3 and 4. Click on the numbers to go to the audio.
Illustration: ‘Modern interpretation of Christ driving the money changers from the temple’ by Anthony Freda/Daniel Zollinger (click on the title to see the image)
- What is your instant reaction to this picture? What emotions does it raise in you? Do you think it is fair as a modern interpretation?
Article: Following Jesus Means Being Political and Advocating for “The Least of These”
Following Jesus Means Being Political and Advocating for “The Least of These”
- Does this article resound with you?
- Does following Jesus mean being political to you?
Prayer Points:
- If you feel led to do so, pray into the situations you thought about above where you experienced anger.
- Pray for an issue of injustice, for example those who suffer because of race, religion or sexuality.
- For those you know who struggle with unresolved anger