Good Friday: Surveying

So Good Friday is here. We’ve been to three services today, two I led and one I received. At each, we sang When I survey the wondrous cross, perhaps the most well known passion tide hymn. A tomb has been put outside Allhallowgate, a cross has been erected on the market ground, a cross was processed to and behind in the cathedral this afternoon. 

We’ve made the cross less brutal but on this day we need to remember in Jesus’ time it was the most brutal and barbaric way to get rid of someone. That Jesus went to a cross to bear the sins of the world and to identify with the outcast and unwanted of the world is why we call this day Good. Today we acknowledge where we are and where God is. I called it “anyhow love” this morning. Despite what we do to him, he loves us anyhow. 

I was really glad to lead the ecumenical service on the market ground in Ripon today. A large number of us gathered. I wonder what people who surveyed the cross and us by it, made of it all. We then later went and joined the Good Friday liturgy at the cathedral. It was a wee bit high church for me today. But I did join three processions. One to stand in front of the cross in silence, one to receive communion and one behind the cross as we followed it into St Wilfrid’s crypt, where worship has been offered since 972,  leaving it there and going back into the nave, going out into the world. 

At Allhallowgate this morning some of them put a tomb outside. We ended our service round it remembering Jesus is now laid in the darkness and silence and we are all called to rest and wait. 

The drama of Good Friday is done. I’m exhausted but doing the whole story is always very moving. It’s been a holy time. 

Here’s a fun postscript! The former Bishop of Barking has been doing all the talks in the cathedral this week. We sat in the back row for worship this afternoon and overheard someone say “is anyone here from Skipton? The Bishop needs a lift home.” We had planned to go and get some time out in the countryside after the service so I turned to Lis and said we could take him. This message was passed on to the stunned Dean and clergy that the Methodist minister was scooping up the Bishop! I’ve never had a Bishop in my car before…!!! Even if he is a retired one he’s still a Bishop! 

Oh then we went to survey some highland cattle! 

The Thursday of Holy Week: Serving

Tonight it’s been good to share Maundy Thursday Communion at Harrogate Road church and to help people think about the last supper and Jesus washing feet. Maundy Thursday is all about servanthood, being there for others, a body broken and blood spilt, feet soothed with warm water by one who surprises us by stooping down to us. It’s been good to share an hour and a half of the watch in the cathedral up to midnight as we remember Jesus in the garden and the folly of those who he has just served: “could you not watch with me one hour?” 

I think the Archbishop of York sums up today for us brilliantly: 

And for those who know the story, but don't know the story, when, after supper, and knowing his end is near, and that God has put all things into his hands, and possessed by a special sense of divine commission and authority, Jesus rises from the table, you might assume – as my esteemed, predecessor, William Temple, put it – that he will ‘order a throne to be (put in place) that he may receive the homage of his subjects.’  

But if you know the story, and know the meaning and depth of the story, then you know that it was not for such a purpose, and never could be, for Jesus is among us, as one who serves, and in him we learn that this, self-emptying, and ever giving service is the very nature of God; not God, becoming a servant for a season, but a revelation of the very heart of God, that God is love, and those who live in God, live in love. And so it is, that taking a towel and a basin of water, Jesus washes his disciples feet.

And this isn’t easy. Again, as Temple puts it, ‘We are ready, perhaps, to be humble before God; but we are (not so sure) that we want God to be humble in His dealings with us.’

Sometimes we think that we are not worthy at all. Or judge others either more worthy than us, or really not worthy at all. Or else we think that something this precious needs limits and conditions put around it. And sometimes, perhaps, because we have not worked out how to receive it, we just refuse it, or even scoff at its unseemly generosity.

Peter says, ‘Wash all of me, or none of me.’ Judas has his feet washed, and then goes out to betray Jesus to his enemies.

But Jesus persists. He loves to the end. Because this is what love does. He washes the disciples feet. Peter and Judas. And he says to them, I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.

And if you know the story, and know the meaning and depth of the story, and can also find yourself in the story, then, at this point, you may just recoil or wince for – and here I have to say we not you – we know our own betrayals all too well, our refusals, and the limits we place on love. And the many ways in which we don't love or serve each other.

And Jesus persists. He loves to the end. Because this is what love does. This is how people will know you are my disciples, says Jesus: not your good works, nor your fine words; not because you'll always get everything right, not because you always agree with one another, but by your love.

Our world needs the story and example of this love. It is the only way we will secure peace in Ukraine. It is the only way we will learn to live lightly on the Earth. It is the only way we will ensure the poorest in our land have the food and fuel and dignity, so often denied them by the inequalities of wealth and opportunity that we have learned to tolerate.

Our church needs the story and example of this love, for we are divided on various issues and sometimes tempted to conclude that we don't need each other. But love, the love that Jesus demonstrates by washing all our feet, shows us that this is not an option. We cannot choose our fellow disciples. We cannot even choose whether Jesus washes us or not, but we can wash each other's feet.

‘I am among you’, says Jesus, ‘as one who serves.’

So let me finish with a story. I first heard this story told by a Jesuit priest, but I think it comes from the folk tradition of Cherokee Indians. An old warrior tells his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. 

He says, my son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is evil, though it often dresses convincingly in the clothes of what is good, so self-confidently sure of itself that even its apparent goodness tramples over others. It can end up gaining its own perfect world, but losing its soul. But you know it is evil, because inside you there is anger, envy, jealousy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. 

The other wolf is good. Often misunderstood and overlooked, but always transparently itself. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. 

His grandson thought about the story for a minute and then asked his Grandfather: ‘Which wolf wins?’ The old warrior simply replied: ‘The one you feed.’

The Wednesday of Holy Week: Revolution

It was deeply moving tonight to do a Tenebrae service with eleven of my folk in the church at Boroughbridge. To read the passion narrative slowly is very powerful. These verses from Luke hit me as I read them: 

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

Subversion, stirring people up, coming here. Jesus had a radical agenda which clashed with the Jewish and Roman authorities. It was bound to. The Kingdom of God heralded will be explosive and exciting and challenging! I’ll explore the theology of the cross on Good Friday but just as a political preacher he was a threat and he needed to be dealt with. 

Later on, after the resurrection, the disciples provoke a similar reaction. In Acts we are told “these people who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” 

We’ve been asked if Christianity today were outlawed, would there be enough to convict us? Jesus put his body where his mouth was and wasn’t frightened to speak out and to confront a religiosity that was negative, controlling and narrow. We’ve known churches haven’t we where life is full of do nots or bitter moaning and unpleasantness. 

I guess as Holy Week progresses we have to ask the question of ourselves. Is our discipleship really Jesus focussed and courageous or it is just a comfort blanket we keep in a safe place? Discuss! 

The Tuesday of Holy Week: Plotting

I have a discipline in Holy Week to attend or lead acts of worship every day from Palm Sunday to Easter Day. That can be knackering but it’s an amazing thing to do the whole of the drama properly. Between tomorrow and Easter evening I’ve seven services to lead but before that it’s been good the last two evenings to share in sung compline in the cathedral. Compline is a beautiful service - a lovely end to the day. I love this picture. The cathedral was very peaceful tonight. I’m not sure about covering over statues though. I’m not that high!! 

Psalm 31 was sung tonight. Jesus in this week long ago faced slander and people conspiring against him, plotting, people devising to take away his life. He was caught up in the middle of a conspiracy to get rid of him. He was caught up in the middle of a situation he couldn’t control: the anger and paranoia and violence of a crowd who decided he wasn’t what they wanted and worse, was blasphemous for claiming to be God. 

“I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.”

If you’ve ever been the victim of slander, people making up stories about you, people plotting behind your back, that’s horrendous. I once had a church where conversations would stop when I came round the corner! I knew they were talking about me. They used to write me nasty letters and deliver them to the manse in the dark so not to be seen! In the world today we must remember the innocent victim of mob devising. I always say to people fed up with me “don’t say it behind my back, say it to me.” I can’t abide whispers in corridors!! 

Jesus has a horrendous time as he gets nearer a cross. He struggles but like the Psalmist, whose poems and prayers he knew, he never kicks the notion of God out. God might be absent and seen in Kirkby but he is also ahead of us devising our good. There’s a huge word in the Psalm that follows the statement of reality and almost defeat. The word is “but” “ “But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.”

It’s important in Holy Week to create some space,  and ask what we really make of Jesus. Will we reject him, or will we claim him as king? He will be with us. Always. 

Sinners in derision crowned Him 

Mocking thus the Saviour’s claim;

Saints and angels crowd around Him,

 Own His title, praise His name:
Crown Him! Crown Him!

 Crown Him! Crown Him!
Spread abroad the Victor’s fame.

 

The Monday of Holy Week: Defining God

An e mail subject jumped out at me this morning. 

“Ian, how do you define God?”

How long have you got?! The e mail was from Sacristy Press trying to sell me a theology book about the early councils of the Church and their debates about faith. It’s a vital question for all of us in Holy Week. 

Some of us met with Sarah our probationer presbyter for her worship development group. We told her she has to be herself leading worship and what she shares of God will be her unique understanding of his love and grace in Jesus, told from her own personal experience. I remember a sermon growing up where you knew the preacher was just reading something. My friend turned to me and said “that sounds very much like William Barclay’s commentary!” There was nothing wrong with using Barclay but don’t pretend you are him! 

How will we define God this week? Well I think we begin with love. Jesus shows us how far in love God is prepared to go. He says despite what you might do I love you anyhow. Anyhow love says destroy me, ignore me, betray me, I love you anyhow. Put me on a cross. I forgive you. Perhaps we define God as a God of new beginnings and grace. Perhaps we define God as a God of surprises. I went to a meditation tonight and I didn’t understand a word of it! The preacher might as well have been defining mud! But compline was lovely and maybe God was and is summed up in the words of this hymn we sung:

We sing the praise of Him who died,
Of Him who died upon the Cross;
The sinner’s hope let men deride,
For this we count the world but loss.

Inscribed upon the Cross we see
In shining letters, God is love!
He bears our sins upon the tree,
He brings us mercy from above.

The Cross: it takes our guilt away;
It holds the fainting spirit up;
It cheers with hope the gloomy day,
And sweetens every bitter cup.

The balm of life, the cure of woe,
The measure and the pledge of love,
The sinner’s refuge here below,
The angels’ theme in heav’n above.

How do you define God? Let me know! 

The first day of Holy Week: Palm Sunday

I’ve been thinking today with three congregations about the Holy Week story being a theological and political drama with complex plot lines and characters deeply involved in events and reacting to them in different ways. 

Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday heralded as king by some who watched. Remember Jerusalem was a boiling pot of expectation for the Jews gathering as every year for Passover. God would intervene one year and a Messiah would come to liberate God’s people like they were liberated from Egypt generations before. A book I read last week suggests there was another procession entering the city that on the opposite side to Jesus: a procession with Pontius Pilate in it, the Roman governor, a procession of might and power, whose entry into the city would remind people at a time of heightened tension who was in charge and what would happen to troublemakers. 

The question for us in Holy Week is which leader, which agenda, will I follow. Do I follow the Prince of Peace, heralding the coming of the Kingdom of God, or do I meekly toe the line and pretend I am following human greed and a narrow way happily? Do I stand up for Jesus, or am I scared that will bring me trouble? 

Tonight I tried an interactive bible study in my evening service. Twenty of us tried to understand what each character in the drama was thinking, and where Jesus fitted into their ideas. Each made a choice: follow or flee, celebrate or crucify, support or suppress. What choice will we make this week? 

Before my evening service I went to most of a performance of Olivet to Calvary in the cathedral. The hymn Just as I am is part of Maunder’s work. We are invited to follow, just as we are, this week. There are other processions, other causes, which might try and lure us into supporting them. It’s hard. But to join Jesus is to find life. So will we follow this week, or have we other plans or are our church diaries too full? 

We have a choice and our response matters. 

Would I have answered when you called,
“Come, follow, follow me!”?
Would I at once have left behind
both work and family?
Or would the old, familiar round
have held me by its claim
and kept the spark within my heart
from bursting into flame?

True and humble king,

hailed by the crowd as Messiah:

grant us the faith to know you and love you,

that we may be found beside you

on the way of the cross,

which is the path of glory.

The thirty ninth day of Lent: Journeying

So I arrive at the last blog post before Holy Week begins and I’m writing this just leaving Kings Cross station on my way back northwards after journeying south to Frimley in Surrey to celebrate my Aunt and Uncle’s Diamond Wedding. 

We’ve been reflecting today on life’s journey. It was fun to look through their wedding album from 1963 and to see my Mum and Dad amongst the throng as well as my Grandma and Grandad. It’s been good to see my cousins Graham and Mandy again and to meet Graham’s wife to be Pippa. We will gather again in August as Graham and Pippa have their wedding. When we meet as family, we naturally think about our journey through life so far. 

Any journey brings good and bad experiences. Today I’ve been on a train for the first time since 2019. I’ve hit London for the first time since 2019. The amount of people in the crowds coming at you was a shock. I got a taxi to Waterloo and another from there tonight to avoid the underground and too many people. On any journey, particularly when we don’t know where we are, we need help. I arrived in Frimley at lunchtime and it was very funny my uncle had asked both my cousins there to pick me up forgetting he’d asked the other one so Mandy saw me first and I got in her car. Then we saw Graham in another space looking bemused why I’d walked past his car! I guess two lifts are better than one. 

A journey also involves trust. My late mother wouldn’t get on a train because she wouldn’t trust the train was going where it said on the front of it it was going to. I trust this train will arrive in Harrogate about 9.30. I trust that my car will still be in the station car park. 

Tomorrow we embark on a spiritual journey. A journey where Jesus reminds us of love like our family love when that works, a journey where Jesus goes through good - popularity - and bad - rejection, a journey on which we are called to trust and stay the course wherever that leads. 

From tomorrow my blogs will focus on the raw Holy Week journey. Thank you for staying with me these last thirty nine days. Let’s see what this year’s remembrance of the passion journey brings us and how we might help each other do it faithfully and openly noting what it does to us now.

For Uncle Peter and Auntie Janet, today marks sixty years of companionship, tenderness and trust sharing life’s journey. It was worth getting out of bed at 6am this morning with only three hours sleep to be with them. As Holy Week opens we pray our journey even through the hard bits might bring us as today has brought me, joy and life…

Oh and as I haven’t been on a train in ages and I got a good deal to do this first class, I got a plug this morning to get three services for tomorrow written (by the time we got to Stevenage!) and now some dinner is coming. Sometimes a journey has to have some treats on it. Really! 

(Picture of that London but from my library not today. I did see the Houses of Parliament from Waterloo Bridge but I was in a taxi - all £20.20 of it.)