Sermon - Seeing Salvation

Michael Cook, Noli me tangere, 2016

A homily given during Choral Evensong at St Giles-in-the-Fields on Sunday 20th April 2025 (Easter Sunday) at 6.30pm based on the text of John 20.11–23

Reflection - What Next?.....

The Three Maries at the Sepulchre, 1862, Eugène Delacroix

A reflection given at Evensong at St Stephen’s Rochester Row on Sunday 16th April 2023 (Year A, Easter 2) based on Mark 15.46-16.8.

Four years ago today Europe was left dumbstruck as it awoke to pictures of a smouldering Notre Dame. After a night described by one fire-service chaplain as hell on earth - when endless waterfalls of flames engulfed the ancient beams of the roof - the next morning, the shell of the cathedral stood empty. 

Back at the Empty Tomb - A Prayer for Easter Monday

The Empty Tomb - Richard Bavin, 2013 - Methodist Modern Art Collection

Lord, as we rise this day,
  fill our lives anew with the truth of your empty tomb.

 

Roll away the darkness that distracts and divides; 

   that we may all reflect the light of your love.

 

Roll away the heavy weight of injustice and inequality;

   may the explosive power of your resurrection reveal the path to peace.

 

Roll away all suffering and sorrow;

   restore us with your promise of new life; renew us with a passion for the possible.

 

Roll away our fear and pride;

   reveal your strength through our weakness. 

 

Roll away our silence;

   let us speak only the Good News of Christ crucified.

 

May all who come looking for the risen Lord this day, discover that we have already been found;
  by our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

 

A prayer inspired by Mark 16.1-8 read at Morning Prayer on the first day of the St Augustine’s College Residential Week, Easter Monday 2021

Image : Richard Bavin, The Empty Tomb, 2013 (Methodist Modern Art Collection) 

 

  

Start:Stop-Mary Magdalene

The Resurrection by Jyoti Sahi, 1987

This week the church remembers Mary Magdalene. The scriptures tell us that Mary was healed by Jesus and was one of a group of influential women who supported his ministry practically and financially. Mary holds a unique place amongst the followers of Jesus; the first person to encounter the empty tomb and the first disciple to whom Jesus made himself known after the crucifixion – bearing the Good News which changed the world and which Mary was the first to hear and share – a fact that earned her the title “Apostle to the Apostles” in the early church.