Take a moment to deepen your reflections with prayer:
Holy One, at the centre of every story is your promise of new life. In the gospel we rediscover your rising once again. In the Resurrection, you reach out to every one every where. In your new life, you empower us to do the same. Empower your Word alive in us this week, that we may die to our indifference and rise with new passion again. Amen
It's always hard to find our focus this week: should we study the scriptures of Easter before we have marked Good Friday?
I have selected some significant gospel readings for our study today. One of the realities of the gospel story (from cross to empty tomb) is that we have amalgamated four stories into one - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John's gospels. Like the two birth narratives at Christmas, we often move back and forth between them, glossing over the inconsistencies, and sometimes losing the integrity of what each author has written. The services based on the “Seven last words of Christ”, for example… beautiful but not particularly accurate!
This year’s lectionary is based primarily in Mark, but for holy week readings the lectionary focuses on the accounts of John (which we will be using in worship.) In contrast, for the study this week, we will read the portions of Mark’s gospel – and take a time of silent meditation to reflect on what word or phrase was significant for you in each reading… you might want to write it down and read them back to yourself at the end of the study.
READ Mark 14:43-52 (the Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus)
READ Mark 14:53-65 (Jesus before the Council)
READ Mark 14:66-72 (Peter’s Denial)
READ Mark 15:1-15 (Jesus and Pilate)
READ Mark 15:16-32 (Crucifixion)
READ Mark 15:33-41 (Death of Jesus)
READ Mark 15:42-47 (Burial of Jesus)
READ Mark 16:1-8 (Shorter ending)
READ Mark 16:9-13 (Longer ending)
Question for Reflection:
Does Mark’s re-telling of the story fit with your beliefs of death and new life? What was new or startled you in his narrative? What was missing, and what does that missing element say to you?
Closing Prayer: (David Adam, England, 1989)
It is the Lord,
I have selected some significant gospel readings for our study today. One of the realities of the gospel story (from cross to empty tomb) is that we have amalgamated four stories into one - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John's gospels. Like the two birth narratives at Christmas, we often move back and forth between them, glossing over the inconsistencies, and sometimes losing the integrity of what each author has written. The services based on the “Seven last words of Christ”, for example… beautiful but not particularly accurate!
This year’s lectionary is based primarily in Mark, but for holy week readings the lectionary focuses on the accounts of John (which we will be using in worship.) In contrast, for the study this week, we will read the portions of Mark’s gospel – and take a time of silent meditation to reflect on what word or phrase was significant for you in each reading… you might want to write it down and read them back to yourself at the end of the study.
READ Mark 14:43-52 (the Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus)
READ Mark 14:53-65 (Jesus before the Council)
READ Mark 14:66-72 (Peter’s Denial)
READ Mark 15:1-15 (Jesus and Pilate)
READ Mark 15:16-32 (Crucifixion)
READ Mark 15:33-41 (Death of Jesus)
READ Mark 15:42-47 (Burial of Jesus)
READ Mark 16:1-8 (Shorter ending)
READ Mark 16:9-13 (Longer ending)
Question for Reflection:
Does Mark’s re-telling of the story fit with your beliefs of death and new life? What was new or startled you in his narrative? What was missing, and what does that missing element say to you?
Closing Prayer: (David Adam, England, 1989)
It is the Lord,
in the dawning, in the renwal, in the arrival, in the new day.
It is the Lord,
It is the Lord,
in the crowd, in the church, in the conversation, in the crisis.
It is the Lord,
It is the Lord,
in our joys, in our sorrows, in our sickness, in our health.
It is the Lord,
It is the Lord,
in the stable, in the garden, in the humble, in the stranger.
It is the Lord,
It is the Lord,
risen and returned, alive for evermore,
giving me new life, saving me in strife.
It is the Lord.
It is the Lord.
Amen!
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