O God,
you make this most holy night to shine with the glory of the risen Christ,
stir up in your Church a spirit of adoption,
so that, renewed in mind and body,
we may dedicate our lives wholeheartedly to your service;
through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Triduum and Easter 2023 Read More »
A new, breakthrough Bible has been published for all ages. It omits difficult sections of the Bible (contradictions, God’s wrath and genocidal tendencies, conflict with science and history, misogyny, and so forth). It draws on lectionaries throughout the ages which indicate what parts of the Bible are easier-to-comprehend for people. And it follows traditions of Bible versions that omit sections (or reduce the size of the font for such difficult passages).
That the Bible is full of contradictions cautions us against treating it as a security-camera history and science book, and this acknowledgement helps us through to a positive deconstruction, one we do not need to fear in our journey of faith.
Deconstruction Part 3 Read More »
God of transcendence,
as an example of humility for the human race,
you sent our saviour to become incarnate
and to submit to the cross,
grant us the grace to learn from this patient suffering
and so to share in the resurrection;
through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Passion/Palm Sunday Holy Week 2023 Read More »
This second post on deconstruction looks at some misinformation that needs calling out alongside the valid critique of Christianity.
Deconstruction Part 2 Read More »
Look graciously on your whānau [or household],
we implore you, O God, [or Almighty God]
that by your great goodness we may be governed in body
and, through your protection, kept safe in mind and heart;
through our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Amen
Lent 5 – 26 March 2023 Read More »
My tribute to Fr Ron Smith who died last Friday – with firm, clear, intelligently-expressed positions, he was a strong presence online. In Real Life he was enthusiastic, positive, and faith-full.
Forgive, O God, the offences of your people,
that through your goodness we may be freed from the bonds of the sins
which in our frailty
we have committed;
through our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Amen.
Lent 4 – 19 March 2023 Read More »
