Sixth Sunday in Lent — Palm Sunday — 24 March

Hear our voice, O Lord, according to your faithful love.

Lectionary readings (Click the links to see the readings)

Palm Sunday

Liturgy of the Palms
Luke 19:28-40 | Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a | Psalm 31:9-16 | Philippians 2:5-11 | Luke 22:14-23:56 or or Luke 23:1-49

Our seeking God

Our Father, sometimes you seem so far away, as if you are a God in hiding, as if you are determined to elude all who seek you.

Yet we know that you are far more willing to be found then we are to seek. You have promised, "if with all your heart you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me" and have you not assured us that you are with us always?

Help us now to be as aware of your nearness as we are of the material things every day. Help us to recognise your voice with as much assurance as we recognise the sounds of the world around us.

We would find you now in the privacy of our hearts, in the quiet of this moment. We would know, our Father, that you are near us and beside us; that you love us and are interested in all that we do, are concerned about all our fears.

May we become aware of your companionship, of Him who walks beside us.

At times when we feel forsaken, may we know the presence of the Holy Spirit who brings comfort to all human hearts when we are willing to surrender ourselves.

May we be convinced that even before we reach up to you, you are reaching down to us. These blessings, together with the unexpressed longing in our hearts, we ask in the strong name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The Prayers of Peter Marshall, edited by Catherine Marshall. London: Peter Davies, 1955.

Sixth Sunday
The kiss of betrayal.

J.S. Bach. O große Lieb [O mighty love]; chorale no. 1 from the St John Passion (BWV 245, 1724)). The Munich Bach Choir and Orchestra conducted by Karl Richter (1964). Background images are of the Thomaskirche amd Nikolaikirche in Leipzig, where the work was first performed.

O große Lieb, o Lieb ohn alle Maße,
Die dich gebracht auf diese Marterstraße.
Ich lebte mit der Welt in Lust und Freuden,
Und du mußt leiden.
(Johann Keermann, 1585-1647)
O mighty love, O love beyond all measure,
Which thee hath brought upon this way of torment.
I lived amongst the world in joy and pleasure,
And thou must suffer.

May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love. Amen.