We are now well into Holy Week. The day after tomorrow is
Maundy Thursday, when Jesus said his farewells to his disciples and instituted
the Holy Eucharist.
The time between Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem and the events
of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday were a busy time for Jesus. In the Gospels a
lot of the parables and teachings of Jesus take place after the record of the
entry into Jerusalem. He was keenly aware that he was about to leave his
disciples, leaving in a way that, initially, would be traumatic and
incomprehensible to them. They needed to be prepared for what was ahead.
As we approach again the traumas of Maundy Thursday and Good
Friday, we are one up on the Disciples in so far as we know the ultimate
outcome, the Resurrection and then the Ascension of our Lord. But this should
not take away from our reflection on what led up to this. We need to prepare
ourselves prayerfully for the next few days.
This is the week before Jesus died, a week of him sharing
final thoughts and of reminding his Disciples how much he loved them. It was a
week filled with pain and promise, leading up to the final agonised declaration
from the Cross of “It is finished”. As we go forward in Holy Week, perhaps this
is a good opportunity to ask ourselves once again what Jesus’ sacrifice means
to us individually and personally and how we can serve him better.
During the first Holy Week Jesus
told a number of stories we call parables. These are tales which sound simple,
but act as a kind of lesson to teach us how we should behave.
Father Peter has re-told the
Parable of the Talents, which teaches us how to use our own special talents and
how we should use them carefully, as well as the gifts other people give us.
Matthew 25: 14-30 The
Parable of the Talents
Jesus
explained God’s way of doing things: a rich man asked three of his workers to
look after his money while he was away.
He gave one of them 50,000 silver coins, to the second he gave 20,000
silver coins, and to the third he gave 10,000 silver coins. The first worker traded with his gift, and doubled
his money. The second worker also traded with the money, and he made 20,000
more silver coins. However, the third man
dug a hole in the garden and buried the coins until his employer returned.
The
rich man asked the three men to show him what they had done with his
money. The first gave him back all the coins,
along with the profits he had made. “Well done!” said the man, “I know I can
always trust you.” The second gave him
back the 20,000 silver coins, with the extra money he had earned. “Well done!” said the man, “I can trust
you too.”
Then
the third man came in. He had dug up the
10,000 silver coins which he handed back to the rich man, saying, “Here is your
money. I was afraid of you. You can be
very strict, so I hid the money while you were gone.” “You wicked man!” said the rich man. “Are you so scared of me, that you couldn’t
even invest my money and get some interest on it while I was gone?” He turned to the other two and gave the
10,000 silver coins to the first man who already had the most money. Then he asked the third man to leave his
house and never return.
Jesus finished the parable by saying that everyone who has something, will be given more, but for those who have nothing, even the little they have will be taken away. Jesus wants us to use everything that we have been given by God, and not to waste it. If we don’t use the gifts we have been given, they are useless.
Here are some activities to help us
think about the parable – and maybe help you wrap any Easter presents you might
be giving.
Potato print gift wrap
You need:
As large a sheet of plain-ish paper
as you can find
A potato Paint Coloured felt pens
A handy adult who can cut the potato safely for you
Something to protect the surface you are working on
The cut surface of the
potato needs to create an oval shape whether cut lengthwise or widthwise.
Spread the paper you
are printing out flat
Cover the cut end of
the potato with paint, so that it is completely covered but won’t drip
Start stamping oval
shapes randomly on to the paper
You can use the other
potato half to create prints in a contrasting colour
When the printed paper
is dry you can turn the oval shapes into Easter eggs by adding patterns and a
bow with the felt pens.
St Luke’s and the Barn have talent!
Think about the things you are good at and how you could use them, e.g.
Cooking? – make a cake or Easter biscuits for an
older person who is self-isolating
Listening? –
ring or message a friend or relation who is stuck indoors
Musical? – learn a new song
Sporty? – use some of that surplus energy while we
are stuck at home to help in the garden
Write down some of your talents on
pieces of post-it-size paper (don’t use post-its – they will stick together!)
Keep these to one side while you make a …
When you come to fill it (half-way
– it won’t work if it’s too heavy) – mix the “talents” ideas you have written down
in with whatever you choose for the filling, e.g. mini eggs or a healthier
alternative.
When you come to smash the piñata at Easter don’t forget those
talents you will need to help all of us get through our time stuck at home.
Prayer for Tuesday of Holy Week
Dear Father God,
Help
us to use the gifts you have given us for the good of others. Teach us to put
other people first, to help where we can, and to put a smile on the faces of
those around us.
Parishes of St Philips and All Saints
Kew with St Luke’s Kew
Where
all God’s children are Welcome
An Order for Night
Prayer (Compline)
Tuesday in Holy Week
2020
Note
The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a
Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is above all a service of
quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. It is most
effective when the ending is indeed an ending, without additions, conversation
or noise. If there is an address, or business to be done, it should come first.
If the service is in church, those present depart in silence; if at home, they
go quietly to bed.
Preparation
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect
end. Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord who
made heaven and earth.
A period of silence for reflection on the past day may
follow.
We confess to God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
through our own grievous fault.
Wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us.
Almighty God, have mercy upon us,
forgive us all our sins and deliver us from all evil,
confirm and strengthen us in all goodness,
and bring us to life everlasting;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make
haste to help us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
Psalm 71:
1-14
1 In
you, O Lord, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame. 2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me. 3 Be to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress, to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue
me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. 5 For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O Lord,
from my youth. 6 Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of you.
7 I have been like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge. 8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all day long.
Scripture Reading
Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the
devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, seeking for someone to devour.
Resist him, strong in the faith. 1
Peter 5.8,9
Galatians 6:
11- end
See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good
showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they
may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves
obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about
your flesh. May I never boast of
anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me,
and I to the world.For neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this
rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the
marks of Jesus branded on my body.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers and sisters. Amen.
Responsory
Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into
thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.
I
commend my spirit.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
Into
thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide
me under the shadow of your wings.
Gospel Canticle
The Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon) is said
1 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to thy word.
2 For mine eyes have seen:
thy salvation;
3 Which thou hast prepared:
before the face of all people;
4 To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of thy people
Israel. Luke 2.29-32
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son:
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
Prayers
Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.
The Collect
Visit this place, O Lord, we pray,
and drive far from it the snares of the enemy;
may your holy angels dwell with us and guard us in peace,
and may your blessing be always upon us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Conclusion
In peace we will lie down and sleep;
for
you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
for
the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night watch looks for the morning,
so
do we look for you, O Christ.
The Lord bless us and watch over us;
the Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us;
the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace.
Amen.
Copyright acknowledgment (where not already indicated
above):
It’s the day after Palm Sunday in Jerusalem. Imagine. The day
after the Lord Mayor’s Show. The day after the circus comes to town. The day
after a royal visit.
There are palm leaves everywhere. Some people can’t
find their cloaks. Some people’s heads are hurting. It is very quiet after all
the noise and excitement.
Try this. See how long you can sit still
and quiet. Time yourself. Or get someone to time you. OK – shall we start?
So how did you do? Did you fidget? Did
you get the giggles?
The city streets are in a mess. Somebody needs to clear up all
the greenery before someone slips on it and falls. What about the lost cloaks,
all piled up in many colours?
Today would be a good day to TIDY YOUR
ROOM! If you have been home-schooled for several weeks I expect it could do
with a tidy.
As you are doing it think about all those long-ago people who
saw something amazing – a man on a donkey – a humble donkey – but also a king.
But for how long?
Prayer
for Monday of Holy Week
Dear Father God,
in these difficult times when we cannot get together to
celebrate, we feel miserable because we cannot see our school friends, walk any
distance outdoors, enjoy Kew in springtime, and miss parties and other events.
Help us to remember those who, unlike us, are housebound all
the time. Protect those who struggle with loneliness, with getting food, and
finding friends. Help us to think of ways to make life easier for them.
While going through my book
of ‘Favourite Prayers’ I came across the writing below, it
seems to me rather appropriate for this moment in time!
The Creator’s Testament to Modern
Man.
I have given you DNA programmed by
evolution through millions of years. It has form, function and instincts
derived from your anthropoid ancestors. You have evolved the gift of
language and intelligence to process the ability to reason, to enquire, to
have abstract thoughts from which you may experience rich emotions. These
blessings bestowed on you are to be used to live in peace with fellow-men,
animals, plants and the elements of the earth.
From your ancestors you have
inherited the urge to reproduce to preserve your precious DNA. Many
of the secrets of nature are now revealed to you by your probing curiosity and
rational analysis. This knowledge can be used for good or evil.
The story of the serpent who
gave Eve the fruit of knowledge is a terrible warning; beware not to succumb
to the temptations of greed, envy, fanatic hatred and lust for power to
dominate others. If you continue to multiply without constraint or
consideration of the rest of the world you will swiftly exhaust irreplaceable
resources, animal, vegetable and mineral, which will surely lead to the
destruction of your DNA and the desolation of the planet.
You will have many hard decisions to
make but I have given you the ability to choose. In the spirit of love
and compassion towards your fellow-men and all living creatures, animals and
plants, use your scientific knowledge to choose and act wisely and to devise
ways of sharing without exploitation, to live and let live.
I hope you become ‘Homo
SAPIENS’, the alternative is ‘Homo EXTINCTUS.’ I wish you well.
Professor Sir Roy Calne, transplant
surgeon.
Maybe we should all reflect in this
present pandemic where we wish to be, and how our lives may be altered when we
at last come out of it.
God gave us this planet, let us all
take responsibility for the care of it.
