Holy SaturdayEach day we will take a look at a sentence from the Lord’s Prayer.Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evilAs the body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw it carried into the tomb. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to embalm him; but by the time they were finished it was the Sabbath, so they rested all that day as required by the Jewish law. Luke 23:55-56.Although the women and the disciples appear to have kept to the letter of the law and observed the strict rules about travel and work, it seems probable that their minds took little rest that day. They may have been tempted to want to stay with Jesus’ body and continue with getting on with the burial rites of the time. But they retreat back to their homes and we are told they rested.There is great value in making Holy Saturday as quiet a day as possible. There is the temptation to over busy ourselves making the preparations for Easter Day. We need to take the example of the women and not be tempted, but rest.A projectThe early Christians renewed their Baptism vows on this day. Take a look at the Baptism Vows made today and decide whether they are questions you can answer as Easter dawns.Do you turn to Christ? I turn to Christ.Do you repent of your sins? I repent of my sinsDo you renounce evil? I renounce evilDo you believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world….In his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed humankind….. In his Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God? I believe and trust in him.Place a small glass with water and place with the Palm Cross, photo/names, battery, keys, bread and candle, to remind you of the reaffirmation of baptismal promises.PrayLord, show me the things that tempt me away from you and help me to turn my back on them and focus only on you.
Wednesday of Holy Week reflectionEach day we will take a look at a sentence from the Lord’s Prayer.Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. You are God’s temple and God’s Spirit dwells in you 1 Corinthians 3:16Originally, the people who observed Lent were new converts to Christianity. Since they were all to be baptised together on Easter Day, Lent formed the final part of their Baptism preparation. The Lent readings included the story of the Transfiguration to show these young Christians that just as the likeness of his Father shone through the humanity of Jesus and transformed him, because the Holy Spirit lives in us and is at work in us, we can also be changed. In his Letters to the Corinthians, Paul uses powerful picture language to help us to understand.In the Book of Revelation Jesus tells us that he stands at the door and knocks. He is waiting outside the door of our life waiting to be invited in. When his life fills us, he transforms us and his glory shines through us. This is when God’s will is being done on earth and in heaven. A ProjectImagine that, day-to-day, Jesus literally knocks on your front door. You let him into your home, take him on a tour, invite him to take up residence there. How does it feel to have the King of Glory living with you? Can you hand over the keys of your life as well as your home to him? Place a set of keys (any old ones will do) with the Palm Cross, photo/names, battery to remind you that you have invited Jesus to live in your life and home.PrayerTalk to God about your reactions – the things you find difficult as well as the things which seem easier.‘I ask you Lord to rule over all parts of my life. Help me to let your light shine where ever I go.’
