Daily prayer in Easter 2024:50, 19 May 2024, Pentecost

Pentecost depicted in the Church of the Transfiguration in Piskopianó, in the hills above Hersonissos in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Patrick Comerford

The 50-day season of Easter comes to an end today with the Day of Pentecost (19 May 2024), sometimes known as Whit Sunday, celebrating the fulfilment of the promises of Easter.

Throughout this Season of Easter, my morning reflections each day have included the daily Gospel reading, the prayer in the USPG prayer diary, and the prayers in the Collects and Post-Communion Prayer of the day.

Later this morning, I am taking part in the Parish Eucharist in Saint Mary and Saint Giles Church, Stony Stratford, reading one of the lessons and leading the intercessions. But, before this day begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, for reflection, prayer and reading in these ways:

1, today’s Pentecost reading in the Acts of the Apostles and today’s Gospel reading;

2, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;

3, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.

The Ascension (left) and Pentecost (right) in the celing of the Church of the Transfiguration in Piskopianó in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Acts 2: 1-21 (NRSVAUE):

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5 Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs – in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit,
and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20 The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

The Day of Pentecost depicted in Saint John’s Monastery in Tolleshunt Knights (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

John 15: 26-27, 16: 4b-15 (NRSVUE):

[Jesus said:] 26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27 You also are to testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

4b “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

The 12 Apostles depicted in an icon in the Cathedral in Rethymnon, Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Today’s Prayers (Sunday 19 May 2024):

The theme this week in ‘Pray With the World Church,’ the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), is ‘Pentecost Reflection.’ This theme is introduced today with a Reflection by the Revd Duncan Dormor, USPG General Secretary:

‘In our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power’.

Pentecost: the day the church was born – through the pouring out of the Spirit – carrying the Gospel message from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. A defining moment in which we witness the chaotic joy of new birth; the breaking waters of the Spirit of God dramatically issuing forth new life. And just as that first cry of the newborn infant is universally understood – so too, for those gathered – there is a clear understanding that a radical community is being created. And miraculously, everyone understands.

Those present hear the divine, life-giving message. But not because they suddenly grasp the languages of power or privilege – the Latin of Imperial Rome; the Greek of high culture and philosophy or the Hebrew of the religious elite – but rather because the Spirit speaks in their own tongue.

The Spirit speaks into the hearts of all in the language of childhood, with the same tongue whispered or sung by their mothers; with all the distinctiveness and colour, poetry and rhythm and cadence and timbre, and all the associations that come with it: The language of the heart.

‘In our own languages, we hear.’ This simple, powerful, Pentecostal reality still has the potential to transform and challenge an Anglican Communion still dominated by that other imperial language – English. So that the spiritual gifts born of diverse languages and cultures may be released to inspire us all within a truly global Church.

The USPG Prayer Diary today (19 May 2024, Day of Pentecost) invites us to pray:

May we be filled by the Holy Spirit,
And spread your Good News across the nations.
Let us celebrate the diversity of humankind,
Using language as a gift not a barrier.
Amen.

The Collect:

God, who as at this time
taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
grant us by the same Spirit
to have a right judgement in all things
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;
through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion Prayer:

Faithful God,
who fulfilled the promises of Easter
by sending us your Holy Spirit
and opening every race and nation
the way of life eternal:
open our lips by your Spirit,
that every tongue may tell of your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect:

Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,
ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith,
revive your Church with the breath of love,
and renew the face of the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow

Preparing for Penrtecost this weekend in in Saint Mary and Saint Giles Church, Stony Stratford, (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition copyright © 2021, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

‘Then suddenly we woke, aflame with love dynamic as life-giving breath’: Pentecost in Leicester

‘The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost’ … a painting by Iain McKillop in his ‘Hope and Tragedy’ exhibition in Leicester Cathedral (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Patrick Comerford

Tomorrow is the Day of Pentecost (19 May 2024), celebrating the fulfilment of all the promises of the Easter, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the ‘birthday of the Church.’ I am looking forward to the Parish Eucharist in the Church of Saint Mary and Saint Giles in Stony Stratford, when I am reading one of the lessons and leading the intercessions.

Earlier this week, I was in Leicester for the first time in 13 years. This time it was just a one-day visit, but I visited Leicester Cathedral for the first time, including the current exhibition in the north aisle of ‘Hope and Tragedy’, a collection of ‘Stations of the Resurrection’ by Iain McKillop. The Easter exhibition opened on the Wednesday in Easter Week (3 April 2024) and continues until next Monday (20 May 2024).

The Revd Iain McKillop is a priest, painter, art historian and academic who works mainly in the field of religious art. He also produces paintings of architectural history and related subjects, and he has exhibited works in many cathedrals and churches, including Bradford, Exeter, Gloucester, Guildford, Leicester, Lichfield, St Edmundsbury, Saint Paul’s, Westminster and Worcester cathedrals. He gives talks and retreats on issues of faith, art and art history.

The Stations of the Cross are a tradition inherited from the early Church. The traditional Stations of the Cross end with the burial of Christ, but in the late 20th century it became popular to add the Resurrection as Stations 15.

The Stations of the Resurrection are a modern development, but the idea dates back to early Church murals and sequences found in illustrated mediaeval manuscripts, and in works by Duccio, Giotto and Fra Angelico.

Father Sabino Palumbieri, a Salesian priest in Rome, developed a series of Resurrection Stations in 1994 in ‘The Way of Light’ (Via Lucis) to complement ‘The Way of the Cross’ (Via Crucis), for the Easter season of the 50 days from Easter to Pentecost. ‘The Way of Light’ has developed since then, and in 2006 the Church of England included Stations of the Resurrection in Common Worship: Times and Seasons for Easter, selecting 19 Stations, with the Conversion of Saul as the last Station in an unusual way of ending the sequence.

Iain McKillop initially produced 20 paintings for his ‘Stations of the Resurrection’ theme over 20 months of near isolation during the Covid 19 pandemic. They were first shown in Guildford Cathedral in 2022, and he hopes to exhibit them in cathedrals throughout England as ‘a memorial to all who were affected by the pandemic.’

During the pandemic, he realised he needed ‘to work on creating something that would raise both my own spirits and those of others, when we would eventually be able to meet, exhibit work and visit churches again.’

The series commemorates all who died or have been affected by the pandemic. They are dedicated to his friend and mentor the Revd Alan Elkins who died of cancer in 2021. He also says he wanted to paint a substantial and significant subject in personal gratitude to Archbishop Rowan Williams ‘for the inspiration and encouragement I had gained through his ministry, guided retreats and writings.’

Iain McKillop’s panels follow the Resurrection stories in the Gospels from Christ’s Resurrection through to the Ascension and Pentecost. The New Testament writers record 19 resurrection appearances, from the first encounter with Mary Magdalene on Easter morning to Saint Paul’s life-changing experience on the road to Damascus.

The artist realised how idifficult it is to arrange the resurrection accounts into a clearly unified chronology. He added two larger Resurrection and Pentecostpaintings as introductions and conclusions to the series – an ‘Introit’ and ‘Postlude’ to encourage viewers to prepare spiritually for the journey and end with reflection on the Spirit’s presence in our lives.

His complete series of 26 images now contains all the themes in the Anglican and Roman Catholic stations, including the additional subjects in Times and Seasons.

The series is accompanied by a series of short written meditations. A book linked to the exhibition, Stations of the Resurrection: Encounters with the Risen Christ, was published earlier this year (January 2024 ). It includes copies of the pictures in this series, with texts by Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani of Chelmsford and sonnets by the Cambridge priest poet Malcolm Guite.

Over 40 years or so, Iain McKillop has used drawing and painting as ways of thinking through the meaning and relevance of scripture. These Stations of the Resurrection involved three years of studying commentaries and theological writings, including re-exploring and reconsidering what we believe about the spiritual mysteries and hope offered by Christ’s resurrection. He sees the creative process as ‘rather like a form of Lectio Divina, using sketchbooks, paint, study, meditation, contemplation and prayer.’

He says: ‘The work strengthened my own belief that there are truths within the resurrection stories which offer strong foundations on which to build a trusting faith. I hope these ideas and images may help others to … offer people hope and to help to transform our suffering, often corrupted world into a better place that Jesus intended God’s Kingdom to become. To do this, it is important to strengthen confidence in the grounds of our faith.’

One of the concluding images in the exhibition in Leicester Cathedral is ‘The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost.’ A citation below the painting is inspired by Acts 2: 1-42 and Mark 16: 20: ‘Then suddenly we woke, aflame with love dynamic as life-giving breath … knew truths and surged with memories and thoughts of God; found understanding, powers, persuasive words. Of course we were afraid, but none could hide behind closed doors. We dashed into the streets: Enthusiasts, we sang with confidence of love and future life empowered by you.’

Iain McKillop’s exhibition in Leicester Cathedral ends on Monday 20 May (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Daily prayer in Easter 2024:49, 18 May 2024

The church bell in the Byzantine-style Church of Aghios Vasilios in Koutouloufári, in the hills above Hersonissos in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Patrick Comerford

Easter is a 50-day season that continues until the Day of Pentecost tomorrow (19 May 2024). We are coming to the end of that in-between time in the Season of Easter, between Ascension Day and the Day of Pentecost, and this Sunday was the end of the Season of Easter.

Throughout this Season of Easter, my morning reflections each day have included the daily Gospel reading, the prayer in the USPG prayer diary, and the prayers in the Collects and Post-Communion Prayer of the day.

Before this day begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, for reflection, prayer and reading in these ways:

1, today’s Gospel reading;

2, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;

3, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.

The church bell at Aghios Anargyron, beside Rethymnon General Hospital in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

John 21: 20-25 (NRSVA):

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’ 22 Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!’ 23 So the rumour spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?’

24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

The church bells at the Church of Saint Nicholas, near the bus station in Rethymnon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Today’s Prayers (Saturday 18 May 2024):

The theme this week in ‘Pray With the World Church,’ the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), is ‘Triangle of Hope.’ This theme was introduced on Sunday with a programme update.

The USPG Prayer Diary today (18 May 2024) invites us to pray:

We pray especially for those caught up in racial injustice as part of the legacy of the dehumanising trade of enslaved Africans. Circle us with your forgiveness, righteousness and hope that we may do justice, seek mercy and walk humbly with you.

The Collect:

O God the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,
but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion Prayer:

Eternal God, giver of love and power,
your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world
to preach the gospel of his kingdom:
confirm us in this mission,
and help us to live the good news we proclaim;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect:

Risen, ascended Lord,
as we rejoice at your triumph,
fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,
that all who are estranged by sin
may find forgiveness and know your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow

The bell tower at the Church of Saint George on Egeou Street in Rethymnon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Daily prayer in Easter 2024:48, 17 May 2024

The church bell in the earlier, Byzantine-style Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in Piskopianó, above Hersonissos, in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Patrick Comerford

Easter is a 50-day season that continues until the Day of Pentecost next Sunday (19 May 2024). We are still in an in-between time in the Season of Easter, between Ascension Day and the Day of Pentecost, and last Sunday was the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Easter VII), or the Sunday after Ascension Day.

Throughout this Season of Easter, my morning reflections each day include the daily Gospel reading, the prayer in the USPG prayer diary, and the prayers in the Collects and Post-Communion Prayer of the day.

Before this day begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, for reflection, prayer and reading in these ways:

1, today’s Gospel reading;

2, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;

3, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.

The church bells at the Church of the Transfiguration in Piskopianó near Hersonissos in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

John 21: 15-19 (NRSVA):

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ 16 A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ 17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

The church bell at the cemetery chapel in Piskopianó (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Today’s Prayers (Friday 17 May 2024):

The theme this week in ‘Pray With the World Church,’ the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), is ‘Triangle of Hope.’ This theme was introduced on Sunday with a programme update.

The USPG Prayer Diary today (17 May 2024) invites us to pray:

Lord God, by your righteousness, show us our own complicity in injustice. Convict us of our indifference. Give us strength and courage to break our silence against abuse and injustice of all kinds around us.

The Collect:

O God the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,
but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion Prayer:

Eternal God, giver of love and power,
your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world
to preach the gospel of his kingdom:
confirm us in this mission,
and help us to live the good news we proclaim;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect:

Risen, ascended Lord,
as we rejoice at your triumph,
fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,
that all who are estranged by sin
may find forgiveness and know your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow

The church bell at the church museum in Piskopianó (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Daily prayer in Easter 2024:47, 16 May 2024

The church bells at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Platanias, near Rethymnon in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Patrick Comerford

Easter is a 50-day season that continues until the Day of Pentecost next Sunday (19 May 2024). We are in an in-between time in the Season of Easter, between Ascension Day and the Day of Pentecost, and Sunday was the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Easter VII), or the Sunday after Ascension Day.

Today (16 May), the Calendar of the Church of England remembers the life and witness of Caroline Chisholm (1808-1877), Social Reformer.

Throughout this Season of Easter, my morning reflections each day include the daily Gospel reading, the prayer in the USPG prayer diary, and the prayers in the Collects and Post-Communion Prayer of the day.

Before this day begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, for reflection, prayer and reading in these ways:

1, today’s Gospel reading;

2, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;

3, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.

The church bells at Saint Nektarios Church in Tsesmes, near Rethymnon in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

John 17: 20-26 (NRSVA):

[Jesus said:] 20 ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

25 ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’

The church bells in Panromos, near Rethymnon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Today’s Prayers (Wednesday 15 May 2024):

The theme this week in ‘Pray With the World Church,’ the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), is ‘Triangle of Hope.’ This theme was introduced on Sunday with a programme update.

The USPG Prayer Diary today (16 May 2024, International Day of Families) invites us to pray:

Lord of justice and righteousness, please bring hope to the broken-hearted, and give us grace to administer justice where there is injustice; strengthen us to speak truth to power and resist the oppressor. May we find unity at the foot of your Cross. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy.

The Collect:

O God the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,
but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion Prayer:

Eternal God, giver of love and power,
your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world
to preach the gospel of his kingdom:
confirm us in this mission,
and help us to live the good news we proclaim;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect:

Risen, ascended Lord,
as we rejoice at your triumph,
fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,
that all who are estranged by sin
may find forgiveness and know your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow

The church bells at Agia Irini Monastery near Rathymnon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Daily prayer in Easter 2024:46, 15 May 2024

‘Exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before’ (the Collect) … the apse in the Church of the Four Martyrs in Rethymnon in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Patrick Comerford

Easter is a 50-day season that continues until the Day of Pentecost next Sunday (19 May 2024). We are in an in-between time in the Season of Easter, between Ascension Day and the Day of Pentecost, and Sunday was the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Easter VII), or the Sunday after Ascension Day.

Throughout this Season of Easter, my morning reflections each day include the daily Gospel reading, the prayer in the USPG prayer diary, and the prayers in the Collects and Post-Communion Prayer of the day.

Before this day begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, for reflection, prayer and reading in these ways:

1, today’s Gospel reading;

2, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;

3, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.

‘Fill your Church on earth with power and compassion’ (Additional Collect) … the apse in the Church of the Transfiguration in Piskopianó in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

John 17: 11-19 (NRSVA):

[Jesus said:] 11 ‘And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.’

‘Help us to love mercy and act in ways that are just’ (USPG Prayer Diary) … the apse in Saint Nektarios Church in Rethymnon in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Today’s Prayers (Wednesday 15 May 2024):

The theme this week in ‘Pray With the World Church,’ the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), is ‘Triangle of Hope.’ This theme was introduced on Sunday with a programme update.

The USPG Prayer Diary today (15 May 2024) invites us to pray:

Lord God, Prince of Peace, we humble ourselves in your presence. Help us to love mercy and act in ways that are just. Imprint your character on our hearts so that we may love as you do. Lord fill us with your Spirit.

The Collect:

O God the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,
but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion Prayer:

Eternal God, giver of love and power,
your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world
to preach the gospel of his kingdom:
confirm us in this mission,
and help us to live the good news we proclaim;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect:

Risen, ascended Lord,
as we rejoice at your triumph,
fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,
that all who are estranged by sin
may find forgiveness and know your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow

‘As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world’ (John 17: 18) … the apse in Saint Nektarios Church in Tsemes, near Rethymnon in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Daily prayer in Easter 2024:45, 14 May 2024

Saint Matthias depicted in a stained-glass window in All Saints’ Church, Calverton, Buckinghamshire (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Patrick Comerford

Easter is a 50-day season that continues until the Day of Pentecost next Sunday (19 May 2024). We are in an in-between time in the Season of Easter, between Ascension Day and the Day of Pentecost, and Sunday was the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Easter VII), or the Sunday after Ascension Day.

Throughout this Season of Easter, my morning reflections each day include the daily Gospel reading, the prayer in the USPG prayer diary, and the prayers in the Collects and Post-Communion Prayer of the day.

Today, the Church Calendar celebrates Saint Matthias the Apostle. After the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, the apostles brought their number back to twelve by choosing Matthias to replace him. He was chosen by lot from amongst the disciples. The author of the Acts of the Apostles sees apostleship differently from Saint Paul’s interpretation of the rôle and seems to reflect the understanding found in Saint Luke’s Gospel. The number had to be restored so that they might ‘sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel’. It was conditional that they had to have been with Jesus during his earthly ministry and witnesses to the resurrection. The point of being chosen by lot, rather than by some democratic method, indicated the election or choosing by God, rather than by mortals.

Before this day begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, for reflection, prayer and reading in these ways:

1, today’s Gospel reading;

2, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;

3, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.

The south-west bell tower of the Matthias Church beside the Fisherman’s Bastion at Buda Castle … the Church Calendar today celebrates Saint Matthias the Apostle (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2023)

John 15: 9-17 (NRSVA):

[Jesus said:] 9 ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

12 ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.’

The Matthias Church stands in Holy Trinity Square, in front of the Fisherman’s Bastion at the heart of Buda’s Castle District (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2023)

Today’s Prayers (Tuesday 14 May 2024, Saint Matthias):

The theme this week in ‘Pray With the World Church,’ the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), is ‘Triangle of Hope.’ This theme was introduced on Sunday with a programme update.

The USPG Prayer Diary today (14 May 2024) invites us to pray:

O Lord, we are all created in Your image, yet some treat others and You with contempt by considering themselves superior. Let us not rush to the language of healing before understanding the fullness of the injury and the depth of the wound of racism. Help us not to value one life more than other lives.

The Collect:

Almighty God,
who in the place of the traitor Judas
chose your faithful servant Matthias
to be of the number of the Twelve:
preserve your Church from false apostles
and, by the ministry of faithful pastors and teachers,
keep us steadfast in your truth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion Prayer:

Almighty God,
who on the day of Pentecost
sent your Holy Spirit to the apostles
with the wind from heaven and in tongues of flame,
filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel:
by the power of the same Spirit
strengthen us to witness to your truth
and to draw everyone to the fire of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow

The Matthias Church is said to have been founded in 1015 by Saint Stephen and is one of the finest pieces of Gothic architecture in Hungary (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2023)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Daily prayer in Easter 2024:43, 12 May 2024

‘Send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us’ (Collect) … ‘Come Holy Spirit’ … the holy water stoup in the Chapel of Saint John’s Hospital, Lichfield (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

Easter is a 50-day season that continues until the Day of Pentecost next Sunday (19 May 2024). We are in an in-between time in the Season of Easter, between Ascension Day and the Day of Pentecost, and today is the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Easter VII), or the Sunday after Ascension Day. Easter was celebrated in the Greek Orthodox Church last Sunday (5 May), and today is known in the Orthodox Church as ‘Thomas Sunday.’

Throughout this Season of Easter, my morning reflections each day include the daily Gospel reading, the prayer in the USPG prayer diary, and the prayers in the Collects and Post-Communion Prayer of the day.

Later this morning, I hope to be singing with the choir at the Parish Eucharist in Saint Mary and Saint Giles Church, Stony Stratford. But, before this day begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, for reflection, prayer and reading in these ways:

1, today’s Gospel reading;

2, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;

3, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.

Today is ‘Thomas Sunday in the Orthodox Church … a fresco in Saint John’s Monastery, Tolleshunt Knights (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

John 17: 6-19 (NRSVA):

[Jesus said:] 6 ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8 for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.’

Liverpool Cathedral … the Triangle of Hope is a covenantal community linking the dioceses of Kumasi, Ghana, Virginia, USA, and Liverpool (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Today’s Prayers (Sunday 12 May 2024):

The theme this week in ‘Pray With the World Church,’ the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), is ‘Triangle of Hope.’ This theme is introduced today with a programme update:

The Triangle of Hope is a covenantal community across three continents: Africa, North America and Europe. It brings together Anglicans dedicated to transforming the legacy and ongoing presence of slavery and racism in God’s world through repentance, reconciliation and mission.

The Triangle refers specifically to a partnership between three dioceses: Kumasi (Ghana), Virginia (USA) and Liverpool (England). Each diocese was directly involved in the transatlantic trade of enslaved Africans. Together we remember and acknowledge with sorrow that human beings, each created in the likeness of the Lord God, were captured into slavery for financial gain with no regard for their dignity, identity and humanity. We view this history and its legacy with great pain and penitence before God, the God who wills in Christ to bring freedom and justice for all.

One of the projects of the Triangle of Hope is Tsedaqah House in the precincts of Liverpool Cathedral. This is home to young adults from around the Triangle and other places where the legacy of slavery, racism and discrimination is also felt. Residents pray and worship together and serve in a variety of settings around the diocese, promoting understanding, awareness and the common good. They are supported by five trustees, a chaplain and four mentors.

Members of the community have written and chosen the prayers this week.

The USPG Prayer Diary today (12 May 2024, Easter VII, International Mothers’ Day) invites us to pray:

Circle us, O loving Father, with your hope that we may do justice;
Circle us, O Christ our Saviour, with your hope that we may love mercy;
Circle us, O Holy Spirit, with your hope that we may walk humbly with you. Amen.

The Collect:

O God the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,
but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion Prayer:

Eternal God, giver of love and power,
your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world
to preach the gospel of his kingdom:
confirm us in this mission,
and help us to live the good news we proclaim;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect:

Risen, ascended Lord,
as we rejoice at your triumph,
fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,
that all who are estranged by sin
may find forgiveness and know your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow

Members of the community of Tsedaqah House at Liverpool Cathedral have written and chosen the prayers in the USPG prayer diary this week … the cathedral seen from the waterfront (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Daily prayer in Easter 2024:42, 11 May 2024

‘Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom’ (Post-Communion Prayer) … the Great Commission depicted in Saint John’s Monastery, Tolleshunt Knights (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

Easter is a 50-day season that continues until the Day of Pentecost (19 May 2024). We are in an-between time in the Season of Easter, between Ascension Day and the Day of Pentecost, and tomorrow is the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Easter VII). Easter was celebrated in the Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday (5 May), and today is known in the Orthodox Church as ‘Bright Saturday.’

Throughout this Season of Easter, my morning reflections each day include the daily Gospel reading, the prayer in the USPG prayer diary, and the prayers in the Collects and Post-Communion Prayer of the day.

Before this day begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, for reflection, prayer and reading in these ways:

1, today’s Gospel reading;

2, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;

3, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.

‘A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another’ … a fresco in Saint John’s Monastery, Tolleshunt Knights (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

John 16: 23-28 (NRSVA):

[Jesus said:] 23 ‘On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

25 ‘I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26 On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.’

Today’s Prayers (Saturday 11 May 2024):

The theme this week in ‘Pray With the World Church,’ the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), has been ‘Thy Kingdom Come.’ This theme was introduced on Sunday with some Reflections.

The USPG Prayer Diary today (11 May 2024) invites us to pray:

Help us Lord, to be witnesses of your love to our family, our friends and communities. May each of us be willing to ask you how we can share the love of our Father in Heaven with the people we know.

The Collect:

O God the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,
but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion Prayer:

Eternal God, giver of love and power,
your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world
to preach the gospel of his kingdom:
confirm us in this mission,
and help us to live the good news we proclaim;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect:

Risen, ascended Lord,
as we rejoice at your triumph,
fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,
that all who are estranged by sin
may find forgiveness and know your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow

We are in an-between time in the Season of Easter, between Ascension Day and the Day of Pentecost … a fresco depicting the Ascension in Saint John’s Monastery, Tolleshunt Knights (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Daily prayer in Easter 2024:41, 10 May 2024

The Ascension depicted in the West Window in Norwich Cathedral (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Patrick Comerford

Easter is a 50-day season that continues until the Day of Pentecost (19 May 2024). This week began with the Sixth Sunday of Easter (Easter VI), and yesterday was Ascension Day (9 May 2024). Easter was celebrated in the Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday (5 May), and today is known in the Orthodox Church as ‘Bright Friday.’

Throughout this Season of Easter, my morning reflections each day include the daily Gospel reading, the prayer in the USPG prayer diary, and the prayers in the Collects and Post-Communion Prayer of the day. As yesterday was Ascension Day, the Ascension theme continues in the photographs in my prayer diary this morning.

I have yet another medical appointment in Stony Stratford later this morning. But, before this day begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, for reflection, prayer and reading in these ways:

1, today’s Gospel reading;

2, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;

3, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.

The Ascension depicted in the East Window in Saint Giles Church, Oxford (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

John 16: 20-23 (NRSVA):

[Jesus said:] 20 ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. 22 So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.’

The Ascension depicted in a stained-glass window by Burlison and Gryllis in Saint Michael’s Church, St Albans (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Today’s Prayers (Friday 10 May 2024):

The theme this week in ‘Pray With the World Church,’ the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), is ‘Thy Kingdom Come.’ This theme was introduced on Sunday with some Reflections.

The USPG Prayer Diary today (10 May 2024) invites us to pray:

Father God, we pray in hope for all people who have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus Christ and his love for the world. May they hear it for themselves and respond and follow him.

The Collect:

O God the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,
but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion Prayer:

Eternal God, giver of love and power,
your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world
to preach the gospel of his kingdom:
confirm us in this mission,
and help us to live the good news we proclaim;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect:

Risen, ascended Lord,
as we rejoice at your triumph,
fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,
that all who are estranged by sin
may find forgiveness and know your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow

The Ascension depicted in a stained-glass window in Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, Heptonstall (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2023)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Daily prayer in Easter 2024:39, 8 May 2024

Julian of Norwich depicted in a window in Saint Julian’s Church, Norwich … she is remembered in the Church Calendar on 8 May (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Patrick Comerford

Easter is a 50-day season that continues until the Day of Pentecost (19 May 2024). This week began with the Sixth Sunday of Easter (Easter VI), and tomorrow is Ascension Day (9 May 2024). Easter was celebrated in the Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday (5 May), and today is known in the Orthodox Church as ‘Bright Wednesday.’

Throughout this Season of Easter, my morning reflections each day include the daily Gospel reading, the prayer in the USPG prayer diary, and the prayers in the Collects and Post-Communion Prayer of the day.

The Calendar of the Church of England in Common Worship today remembers Julian of Norwich (ca 1417), spiritual writer. Later today, I hope to take part in a meeting of local clergy in Saint Frideswide’s Church, Water Eaton. Later this evening, I have a meeting of a working group of Stony Stratford Town Council, which may mean I late for a choir rehearsal at Saint Mary and Saint Giles Church. But, before this day begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, for reflection, prayer and reading in these ways:

1, today’s Gospel reading;

2, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;

3, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.

The Church of Saint Julian in Norwich, where Julian of Norwich lived as an anchorite (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

John 16: 12-15 (NRSVA):

[Jesus said:] 12 ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.’

Inside the south chapel or shrine of Julian of Norwich (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Today’s Prayers (Wednesday 8 May 2024):

The theme this week in ‘Pray With the World Church,’ the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), is ‘Thy Kingdom Come.’ This theme was introduced on Sunday with some Reflections.

The USPG Prayer Diary today (8 May 2024) invites us to pray:

We pray for Thy Kingdom Come – thanking you Lord for its reach across the world and for all who will be taking part in it this year.

The Collect:

Most holy God, the ground of our beseeching,
who through your servant Julian
revealed the wonders of your love:
grant that as we are created in your nature
and restored by your grace,
our wills may be so made one with yours
that we may come to see you face to face
and gaze on you for ever;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion Prayer:

God of truth,
whose Wisdom set her table
and invited us to eat the bread and drink the wine
of the kingdom:
help us to lay aside all foolishness
and to live and walk in the way of insight,
that we may come with Julian to the eternal feast of heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect on the Eve of Ascension Day:

Risen Christ,
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that as we believe your only–begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ
to have ascended into the heavens,
so we in heart and mind may also ascend
and with him continually dwell;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow

‘Wisdom set her table and invited us to eat the bread and drink the wine of the kingdom’ (Post Communion Prayer) … bread and wine on the table at the Sunset Taverna in Rethymnon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2024)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Daily prayer in Easter 2024:38, 7 May 2024

‘Padre Nuestro, que estas en el Cielo … Our Father, who art in Heaven’ … the words of the Lord’s Prayer in Spanish in the shape of a Cross (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

Easter is a 50-day season that continues until the Day of Pentecost (19 May 2024), and the week began with the Sixth Sunday of Easter (Easter VI). Easter has been later in the Greek Orthodox Church this year, and today is known in the Orthodox Church as ‘Bright Tuesday’ and this week is known as Bright Week, Pascha Week or Renewal Week (Διακαινήσιμος Ἑβδομάς), with the entire week set aside for the celebration of the Resurrection.

Throughout Bright Week, the Holy Doors of the Iconostasis are kept open in Orthodox churches – the only time of the year when this occurs. The open doors represent the stone rolled away from the Tomb of Christ, and the Epitaphios, representing the burial clothes, is visible through them on the Holy Table (altar). The doors are closed before the Ninth Hour on the eve of Thomas Sunday. However, the Afterfeast of Pascha continues until the eve of the Ascension.

Throughout this Season of Easter, my morning reflections each day include the daily Gospel reading, the prayer in the USPG prayer diary, and the prayers in the Collects and Post-Communion Prayer of the day.

Before this day begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, for reflection, prayer and reading in these ways:

1, today’s Gospel reading;

2, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;

3, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.

Water from a water jar at a well at Myli restaurant in Platanias, near Rethymnon, Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

John 16: 5-11 (NRSVA):

[Jesus said:] 5 ‘But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.’

‘Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life: may we thirst for you, the spring of life and source of goodness’ (Post Communion Prayer) … a working well gives its name to To Pigadi, a restaurant in Rehtymnon in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Today’s Prayers (Tuesday 7 May 2024):

The theme this week in ‘Pray With the World Church,’ the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), is ‘Thy Kingdom Come.’ This theme was introduced on Sunday with some Reflections.

The USPG Prayer Diary today (7 May 2024) invites us to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

The Collect:

God our redeemer,
you have delivered us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:
grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life,
so by his continual presence in us he may raise us
to eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion Prayer:

God our Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life:
may we thirst for you,
the spring of life and source of goodness,
through him who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Additional Collect:

Risen Christ,
by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples:
help your Church to obey your command
and draw the nations to the fire of your love,
to the glory of God the Father.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow

‘Risen Christ, by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples’ (Additional Collect) … a fresco in Saint John’s Monastery, Tolleshunt Knights (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org