The fourth Sunday in Lent is sometimes referred to as Refreshment Sunday – a day when the strictures of Lent are relaxed a bit. (It is also Mothering Sunday for those who keep that festival).
At St Mary’s tomorrow, our refreshment is coming in the form of some of the most lovely choral must that we sing here. Fr Vice Provost will be preaching on the Prodigal Child. And we’re adding one or two guest choristers into the mix.
Expect something special.
Really missed your blogs – glad they are back on line – thank you!
Yes, I’ve missed your blogs too. Welcome back.
David got into a bit of trouble with his wife for dancing in the street – I think she was more concerned about his dancing in front of other women than concerned about his dignity. Marriage can be like that. Still a great institution though.
In certain situations dignity can be important. But I agree that our Lord doesn’t care if we let our dignity slip, he wants authenticity. By the way, as a mother of four children I can reveal that birthing suites in hospitals are no place for dignity!
I’ve never heard any explanation other than the idea that David was letting it all hang out. As such it is a challenge to all of us from a strict liturgical tradition: is it really providing space for us to express over the top enthusiasm for God? Of course for some people it does; Thomas Merton’s excitement at being allowed to say Mass THREE TIMES on Christmas Day is… different. But in a culture where noisy dancing is the norm for a ‘night out’, it should be no surprise that the likes of ‘Hillsong’ make a major impact. Is there space for that in our churches, or are we marginalising such people?
Still reeling a bit from Holy Week and Easter, which were fantastic. Holy Week makes muscles hurt which never hurt in the same way at any other time of the year. There is nothing finer in the world than singing the Easter Exsultet and the gospel alleluias within a congregation that has journied to the…
People to see. Hymns to be sung. Feet to wash.
It has been extraordinary watching the story about the Scottish Episcopal Church roll around the world today. One story in the Herald on Tuesday which in itself was not saying that much and suddenly it gets picked up and hurled around the globe, even though the bishops’ statement was in the public domain days ago.…
No sermon this morning as it is Palm Sunday. We read one of the Passion Narratives instead of a sermon. This year, it was the Passion according to Matthew. And for the first time, I asked the congregation, as the Body of Christ to read the words of Jesus whilst I read the rest. Worth…
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