The ceremonial entry into Jerusalem
The ceremonial entry into Jerusalem
by Colin Smith
In this short reflection/sermon (1050 words) the events of Palm Sunday are seen as a ceremony, each part of which is important. These parts are examined and their significance is made evident. Similarities with church ceremonies are then considered.
Opinions from the crowd
Opinions from the crowd
by Marjorie Dobson
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Year A Matthew 5: 38-48 Drama: Opinions from the crowd Read the Gospel for the day – Matthew 5. 38-48 To be followed immediately by these readings by four appropriate people. Apart from Hard Man, the other characters could be male or female. Hard man
Eggs and Ashes Book - Palm Sunday Evening
Eggs and Ashes Book - Palm Sunday Evening
by R Burgess/C Polhill (Wild Goose Publ)
Prayer - Meditation - reflection Palm Sunday evening This time there will be no flight into Egypt. This donkey has too much to carry, too far. The shadows wait for me: around the table at Passover, among those in high places, in the condemned cell... By Josie Smith Taken from Egg
Poem: Pilate reacts
Poem: Pilate reacts
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Pilate reacts What kind of king are you, you Jew? The priests condemn you for they say you spite them, yet you will not fight them. They say you claim to be a king to rule them. Do you just fool them? They throw your talk of kingdom in your face. You say that it is not your
Poem: Ignorance
Poem: Ignorance
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Ignorance Peter was not known for caution, spoke too often without thinking, but when faced with hostile questions found, for once, the words to answer. Gave his witness with great courage, led by late-gained inspiration. Could it be with new self-knowledge, stirred by guil
Poem: The Mountain Top
Poem: The Mountain Top
by Marjorie Dobson
Luke 9: 28-36 Poem: The Mountain Top High, high into the mountains we climbed with him, higher than we had ever climbed before. He led us on up steep and rocky pathways made by wild animals and a few stray sheep. Shrouded, clouded was the mountain top he aimed for, invisible to t
Poem: Singing
Poem: Singing
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Singing I love singing, but I’m not sure that others appreciate my efforts. On my own I am hesitant, my voice falters and is unreliable. Ask me to sing you a tune and it comes out in a whisper. But put me in a crowd, set me in a congregation, group me with others in worship
Poem: Asking questions
Poem: Asking questions
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Asking questions When the crowd of followers asked John, ‘what should we do?’ they knew the answer before he gave it. ‘Caring means sharing, not keeping everything as personal property. Give some of it away.’ When the tax collectors asked John, ‘what should we do?’ they als
Reflection: Special Occasion
Reflection: Special Occasion
by Marjorie Dobson
Reflection: Special occasion We were visiting Edinburgh and couldn’t understand why one particular street was so crowded with people. Everyone seemed to be moving towards the pavement edge where they were kept back by barriers and all were excited. We had no wish to get caught in
Leftovers
Leftovers
by Marjorie Dobson
Monologue/character piece - Leftovers Proper 13 year A Matthew 14: 13 – 21 What I want to know is what are they going to do with all those leftovers? Twelve baskets, they said they had. Twelve baskets! Considering that when they all sat down in the first place, they claimed there
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - Proper 12 Year B
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - Proper 12 Year B
by SPCK - Jane Williams
Proper 12 2 Kings 4. 42-44 Ephesians 3: 14-21 John 6: 1-21 The story of the feeding of the five thousand is found in all four Gospels, making it one of the best attested of Jesus’s miracles. John’s Gospel sometimes uses memories and stories that clearly come from different source
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - Proper 8 Year B
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - Proper 8 Year B
by SPCK - Jane Williams
Proper 8 Wisdom of Solomon 1-13-15; 2: 23, 24 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Mark 5: 21-43 ‘Do not fear, only believe,’ Jesus says to Jairus. It’s easier said than done, of course, with his daughter dead and the house full of the sound of wailing mourners. It’s also quite ironic, in that i
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - Proper 14 Year B
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - Proper 14 Year B
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
Proper 14 John 6: 35, 41-51 Gaze on Jesus trying to reason with the crowd. See how very human this story is, how the crowd’s mood swings from worship and surprise to doubt and grumbling so quickly. Listen to the ripples of argument and the shocked whispers, for this man’s claims
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - Proper 13 Year B
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - Proper 13 Year B
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
Proper 13 John 6: 24-35 Gaze on Jesus by the campfire burning on the beach; or in the upper room; or on the shore with the five thousand. What is that in his hands? Almost always, it is bread. Bread broken and the crumbs at his feet which the birds will swoop for as he moves away
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - Palm Sunday Year B