During this coming Holy Week and through to Easter Day Bishop Peter and his Chaplain Fr Michael Brydon will be offereing ‘live’ services for each day. These will be available on a new web page each day and with the exception of the services to be held at the Cathedral will be available to watch on demand later each day or in the week.
The full details of what, where and when are listed below…
PALM SUNDAY: SUNDAY 28th March,
PALM SUNDAY SERVICE AT THE CATHEDRAL: 9:30am-10am
Bishop Peter leads a Palm Sunday service, from the cathedral, to help us reflect upon the arrival of Christ at Jerusalem and the enthusiastic welcome he was given when the crowds waved palms in his honour. The palms many of us would normally have distributed, today, are often in a form of a cross to remind us that this joyous arrival leads to the dramatic events of Good Friday. This is why we also read St Mark’s account of the Passion.
Monday of Holy Week: 29th March,
A Reflection from St George’s Douglas: 11am-11:15am
The scriptures recount many of the events which took place on each day of Holy Week. Today, Father Michael Brydon, chaplain to the bishop, reflects on faith through the surprising story of Christ’s cursing of the fig tree.
Tuesday of Holy Week: 30th March,
A Reflection from St George’s, Douglas: 11am-11:15am
Bishop Peter talks about power and vulnerability in the Gospel and in our lives.
Wednesday of Holy Week: 31st March,
A Reflection from St George’s, Douglas: 11am-11:15am
Judas Iscariot sold Christ for thirty pieces of silver this day. Father Michael, the bishop’s chaplain, considers the background of Judas and his motivation.
MAUNDY THURSDAY: 1st April.
MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE WITH THE RENEWAL OF COMMITMENT TO MINISTRY AT ST GEORGE’S, DOUGLAS: 11am-11:50am
Maundy comes from a Latin word meaning commandment, which helps us to remember Christ’s commandment, given today, to love one another as He loves us. Today Bishop Peter calls upon us all to think about how we live out that commandment and calls us to renew our commitment to both ordained and lay ministry.
GOOD FRIDAY: 2nd April
THE LITURGY OF THE LORD’S DEATH FROM ST GEORGE’S, DOUGLAS, 11am-11:50
The cross lies at the centre of our faith. It is a tragedy that our selfishness and rejection of God’s love leads to this. But it is also a triumph that God chooses to take on the bully of death and sin for us, so that he can cross it out for us. Sometimes Christ is illustrated as willingly climbing a ladder up to the cross to rescue us; just as a fire fighter would climb a ladder to save us. A story of sacrificial love is very relevant to our world as we see many risking their lives across the world in the present pandemic. Bishop Peter leads a traditional Good Friday service of readings and intercessions to bring across the shocking but life-saving events of Good Friday.
HOLY SATURDAY: 3rd April
REFLECTION FROM ST GEORGE’S DOUGLAS: 11am-11:15am
Today we take the opportunity to consider what was going on between Christ’s death on the cross and the Easter Day celebration. The bishop’s chaplain considers how reflection on today prepares us for the joy of the resurrection tomorrow.
EASTER DAY: 4th April
EUCHARIST AT THE CATHEDRAL: 9:30-10:20am
This is the most important day of the Christian year, as we celebrate the public victory of life over death and rejoice in our own hope of eternal life. It is the most appropriate day of the year on which to celebrate the Eucharist. We remember how on the first Easter Day two of Christ’s disciples, on the way to Emmaus, only recognized Him when He broke bread with them. Bishop Peter presides at the Eucharist, for our whole diocese, which makes present the power and hope of the Easter resurrection today.
