Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

– 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...

Good Friday is the day on which Jesus died on the cross. He was crucified at 9 a.m. in the morning, and died six hours later, at 3pm. It is the most solemn day in the Christian year, and is widely marked by the removal of all decorations from churches. In Lutheran churches, the day...

It must have been a dramatic sight on Palm Sunday when Jesus approached Jerusalem to the adulation of the crowds. The Bible tells us that ‘A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of Him...

Luke’s account of the crucifixion (Luke 23:32-43) emphasises the mocking of the crowd, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself’ (35,37,39). In their view a Messiah does not hang on a cross and suffer. In considering the two men who were crucified with Jesus, we are also confronted with the issue of...

It must have been a dramatic sight on Palm Sunday when Jesus approached Jerusalem to the adulation of the crowds. ‘A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted,...