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Peace in the Turmoil

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This sermon was given at our Sunday morning service on 12th April 2026, the second Sunday of Easter. The Gospel was John 20:19-31 .     Let me start by wishing you all a happy Easter! And yes, it is still Easter, though, of course, we are now on the second Sunday of Easter, rather than Easter Sunday itself.   It is, though, my first opportunity to wish you all a happy Easter, as last week – as some of you may know – I was on retreat at the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield, where I experienced a very different Holy Week than any I have experienced before. It was very special, but I did miss you all, and the Holy Week and Easter we share at St Michael’s. I’m very glad to be back and able to preach for you here today.   A photo I took of Mirfield House of the Resurrection on the morning of Palm Sunday. Our gospel this morning is a very famous passage, and one I’ve preached on a number of times before. That’s one of the things about being a Reader; you...

Triduum / Haec Dies

 'Triduum' is Latin for 'three days'. Ecclesiastically, it refers to the three days of Jesus' arrest and death running up to Easter Sunday, covering the events of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday, and the liminal time of Holy Saturday when Jesus is dead. 'Haec Dies' means 'This is the day', and it is often used to refer to Easter Sunday itself ('This is the day that the Lord has made', from Psalm 118, which is often recited on Easter Sunday). Triduum Feria Quinta  Ante diem festum Paschae, sciens Jesus quia venit hora ejus ut transeat ex hoc mundo ad Patrem. I ran this morning.  Lord, have mercy — Along the path and round the field  that overlooks faraway green hills Then back up towards the church and down, and down, and through the daffodils Sliding on mud — my attempt to avoid  crushing purple hyacinths I traced the grass and my circling path around the garden labyrinth Christ have mercy — The mud s...