Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

Ever wonder where the prayer … ‘May I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, day by day’ comes from?  Richard of Chichester, a bishop in the 13th century, wrote it. He began life as Richard de Wych of Droitwich, the son of a yeoman farmer.  But Richard was...

– Dominican who opposed a Pope Leaving England to live in Spain was popular long before the TV show ‘Location Location Location’ was ever invented. Back in 1350 Vincent Ferrer’s parents had left England to settle in Valencia, where their son Vincent was born and grew up. In 1367, when he was 17, Vincent felt...

The events of Easter took place over a week, traditionally called Passion Week. It began on Palm Sunday. After all His teaching and healing, Jesus had built a following. On the Sunday before He was to die, Jesus and His followers arrived at Jerusalem. The city was crowded. Jewish people were arriving from to celebrate...

Jesus at the gates of Jerusalem Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when the Church remembers how Jesus arrived at the gates of Jerusalem just a few days before the Passover was due to be held. He was the Messiah come to His own people in their capital city, and yet He came in humility,...

– the more things change… Zeno of Verona (d. 371) should be the patron saint of all ministers who suspect that the more things change, the more they remain the same. For instance: ethnic diversity…church-planting… teaching…. concern for the poor… women’s ministry in the church… sound like modern-day Christian concerns? Not a bit of it...

 – martyrs of the Early Church In the month of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice of Himself for us, the martyrdoms of Carpus, Papylus and Agathonice are well worth remembering. What they said as they died could be said by the many thousands of Christians who are facing persecution all over the world today. Carpus, Papylus and...

The Easter Story The Print of the Nails – the Church Times Holy Week and Easter Collection On Earth as in Heaven – through the year with Tom Wright Prayers for Wild Animals – their Habitats and the Environment Comfort in Uncertain Times When Christians Face Persecution – theological perspectives from the New Testament Looking...

Maundy Thursday is famous for two things. The first is one of the final acts that Jesus did before His death: the washing of His own disciples’ feet (see John 13).  Jesus washed His disciples’ feet for a purpose: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you...

At the Last Supper Jesus shocked His disciples by washing their feet. He did this as an example, to demonstrate to them that they should serve others with humility. Over the centuries, some churches have recreated this act of humility at a special service on Maundy Thursday.

Maundy Thursday is the 5th day of Holy Week. ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin word for command, ‘mandare’.  On this day the Church looks back to Jesus’ command to His disciples that they should: “Love one another as I have loved you.” On the evening of Maundy Thursday Jesus shared the Last Supper with His...

Palm Sunday From the Vicar With Jesus in Paradise Christian Basics No 4: What about the Resurrection? The empty tomb and the Risen Christ Handel’s Messiah Reflected Faith Series: Togetherness Easter Reflection ** Editor:  Canon Paul Hardingham considers the crowds of Jerusalem… Palm Sunday It must have been a dramatic sight on Palm Sunday when...

Every year the Queen distributes silver coins at a special service on Maundy Thursday. It is part of a tradition dating back many centuries, where the Royal Family took part in ceremonies washing the feet of poor people and giving gifts. The Royal Maundy Service itself began in 1662, when Charles II gave out coins. The...