THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Michael Sargent – 27th March 2026
I write this thought during Passiontide but more particularly I am writing it on March 25th and some will have thought that it nine months to Christmas. It is, but ...
... As far as the Church Lectionary is concerned we mark this day as “The Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary.” The alternative name that is used both in a religious sense and a commercial sense is “Lady Day.” Commercially it is (or maybe was) the first Quarter Day when taxes and rent was due but like most things, the religious significance was changed to the end of every three months.
Be that as it may the ‘Lady’ that we are most concerned with is the one who was chosen by God to be the mother of his son, what a responsibility! There were times that the role of women was undervalued and though there is a greater respect for them nowadays there are some who are not as respectful as they could be.
Our Jewish and Muslim neighbours hold their wives in high regard: a Jew can only become a Jew if he/she is born of a Jewish mother and likewise a Muslim wife is wholly responsible for the household!
It is significant that this very day that I am writing there is another woman within the Christian community who will publicly take up the role as leader of the worldwide community of Christians. I refer, of course, to ...
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally ...
who assumes the role of Archbishop of Canterbury, and what a task she has.
Almost certainly during the Enthronement of +Sarah there will be one person who voices his objection to women being ordained. It is his right but his argument, if it the same, has little or no substance to it.
Those who are against the ordination of women must realise that for more than 30 years it has been legal and the church would be on its knees if women had not been given the right to ordination.
But to +Sarah herself, she will have prayerfully weighed up the options of accept/reject her calling and she will realise the great responsibility that now rests on her shoulders. Jesus once said, “my yoke is easy (i.e. well fitting) and my burden is light” but in the world as it is Sarah will need the prayers and support of the worldwide communion of Anglicans to make her burden bearable.
As we approach Palm Sunday and Holy Week, we are reminded of what suffering Christ went through for our sakes and it is only right that we should be prepared to shoulder some of that burden by taking part in the Services that are available to us.
It will be comparatively easy to join with the crowds on Palm Sunday and cheer and wave palms, but will we put ourselves out when it comes to the Friday after his arrest and join with those who are baying for his life or will we dare to join those fighting for justice who are trying to out-shout those whose aim is to kill him!
Hopefully you will be seen on all three days at which ever church you are involved so that we will know, as well as God, that we have walked the Via Dolorosa and come through rejoicing at the end of his Passion and share with him in his acknowledgement ‘it is accomplished’.
Michael Sargent.
Pray forA reflective Holy Week
Vicar Geoff as he prepares to officially be licensed at the AAA churches
Opportunities to share our faith with others
Give thanks for
Amy, our children, youth and families worker and her work in our villages
Vicar Geoff, as he takes on 3 more churches
The school holidays
We pray for all who live and work in the following streets in our communities:
In Copmanthorpe - Flaxman Croft, Gardeners Close, Faber Close
In Bolton Percy & Colton - Vine Cottages, Vine Court
In Askham Bryan - Askham Bryan Lane and Nurseries Caravan Park
In Acaster Malbis - Darling Lane, Acaster Lane, Pleasant Avenue - Mount Pleasant
In Appleton Roebuck - Main Street (from Hill Crest to Ashlea)
In the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.