• Sermon preached earlier on Mary and Martha

    I preached this a couple of weeks ago but forgot to post it here too.

    So, there I was, walking down Whitehall on holiday a few days ago. I had a ticket for the theatre in my pocket and I was in a hurry to get to the show.

    And I was thinking those happy thoughts that you have when you are on holiday. I was thinking – “Why did I think it was a good idea to come to London in July… in a heatwave”

    But anyway, I was on holiday and apart from melting like the tarmac all around me, I was happy.

    On I went. Downing Street on my left. The Cenotaph on my right.

    The Scottish Office. Banqueting House.

    I was on my way to the old Whitehall theatre, now masquerading under another name.

    Walking up Whitehall is something I’ve done countless times. I often stay in Westminster when I’m back in London. I know the sights and sounds well enough. I don’t consider myself a tourist when I’m there – after all I used to live down there.

    And then suddenly, something caught my eye. Something pulled me up short. (more…)

4 responses to “How to Keep Holy Week”

  1. Christine McIntosh Avatar

    I have never been able to attend any part of the Triduum services in another church. Some day …

  2. Rosemary Hannah Avatar
    Rosemary Hannah

    I had really hoped to be able to push for/be part of an over-night Vigil this year, but my family commitments currently make that hard (my grandson needs a more or less awake Nana on Easter Day) but I am sure the time will come. It would be a brilliant thing to do.

    1. Rosemary Hannah Avatar
      Rosemary Hannah

      And to really tell the bible – not just readings but proper stories, to bring the whole thing to life. Not extracts, giving one no time to get to grips with the the content, but a real chance to see it as – well to be honest, very largely as the Deuteronomistical historians wanted one to see it.

  3. Allan Ronald Avatar
    Allan Ronald

    It was always the Crux Fidelis setting by John IV of Portugal that moved me most when I was part of the congregation at the London Oratory. And considering how potent the rest of the liturgy was, that is saying a lot.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Posts

  • Magnificat

    I woke this morning with the sound of last night’s gospel reading (half of which I sang) still going around my head. In fact the head was still buzzing with liturgy through until the afternoon, when fatigue set in.Last night’s service was wonderful – tremendous music and lots of goodwill. Bishop David’s sermon went down…

  • Today is the day

    Today is the day for the Installation service at St Mary’s Cathedral, Great Western Road.If you want to be there, all are welcome. The service begins at 7 pm.Best show in town.BTW – if you’ve been tyring to get hold of me over the last couple of days or even weeks and found it difficult,…

  • To Holy Mass

    To church this morning – a less complicated route than last Sunday – I was able to walk this week as I was going to St Silas.What a nice friendly bunch they are. And, Fr Gadgetvicar says a lovely mass too. Mind you, it is that long since I was at a 1662 communion service…

  • Change of Address

    "Yes, that is right – it is a G4 postcode, in Glasgow.""Thank you Mr Holdsworth, what is the post-town please?""Glasgow""Is that Glasgow, Edinburgh, Mr Holdsworth?""No, it is Glasgow.""Is that the town then?""It is the second city of empire."