DAILY REFLECTION - 2025

Thursday and Friday 10th and 11th April

I do apologise for combining two days in one; yesterday was very busy indeed.

In the morning I went to the traditionalist church Chrism Eucharist at the cathedral (who have an alternative bishop overseeing them). The Chrism Eucharist is a strong invitation to all clergy every year as we renew our ordination vows within the service. I cannot attend next Thursday, when the regular one is held, and so went to the traditionalist one instead. It was full of colour, drama, scents and ritual.

Our diocesan bishop spoke movingly and simply during the welcome; he spoke about the importance of vows and how the vows keep us rather than we keep the vows. It was a great statement that vows are a point of unity because ultimately the vows are intended to let in the grace of God, rather than be a checklist that we have to strive to achieve. When we are relying on God's strength, grace and spirit, keeping vows are not something we take credit for, rather are a sign of being the Body of Christ, all with the different parts, each contributing something unique to the whole.

In the afternoon I led the memorial service for Revd John Davies, dearly loved PTO priest who died well into his nineties. Even in February, weeks before he died, he was trying to figure out ways to communicate about the love of God to the people around him in ways that would engage. He was faithful to his vows until the very end, and his open mind, heart and spirit shone brightly with God's love for us all. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Revd Louise Grace

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Wednesday 9th April

Yesterday I shared the wisdom of the Benedictine monk who recommended a way of praying during the Alpha course sessioin on prayer.

Also recommended was the super simple triad: Thank you, Sorry, Please

For prayer to begin with the great thanks giving echoes the words of another great monk, Thomas Merton, who said - if you say just one prayer in your lifetime, make it 'thank you'. Beginning with gratitude is wise indeed.

Sorry is a bedrock of our faith. Confession isn't about destroying self esteem, but rather to enable healthy, safe, boundaried relationship, whether with one another, or the environment we are in.

Please refers to our instinct to intercede for others. It is good that we have gone through the other two movements before we reach this very common, and understandably so, form of prayer.

Thank you, Sorry, Please.

Simple, but profound.

Revd Louise Grace

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Tuesday 8th April

As we journey through passiontide, we are called to follow Christ closely on the way of the cross.

At the Alpha course this evening, we were reminded that prayer is the primary way that we draw close to God, and God close to us. There are a myriad of ways that people pray, and the important thing is to just commit to pray each day. One of the contributors to the evening's teaching, a Benedictine monk, had this advice: Keep it simple, keep it honest, keep it going.

I can't think of greater advice as we walk through Passiontide together.

Revd Louise Grace

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Monday 7th April

 Yesterday I preached on the woman anointing Jesus's feet at the meal in Bethany. It's set in order to set the stage for the unfolding of Jesus's passion, his way of the cross. I include the end of my sermon on that, which revolved around the deep peace that can be accessed even in the midst of great turmoil: Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there's no noise, trouble, hard work. It's rather to be in the midst of those things, and still touch place with calm.

The time was approaching and the prophecy they were all dreading was about to be fulfilled.

The atmosphere in the room as they gathered grew heavy with portent.

There hung palpable fear, anger, frustration, sadness.

You could almost smell it.

And then - another aroma supplanted the smell of fear. Rising from the ground.

They looked down and saw a woman anointing Jesus feet with the most expensive ointment, it must have cost her lifetime savings.

It was astonishing. Reckless. Audacious.

Yet the calm that exuded from the attention between Jesus and... this woman.

Her focus was total. Her devotion, tenderness, courage; His gaze never left her. His vulnerability, openness, courage.

It was as if the pall of the room, the growing turmoil that surrounded them, it all faded into insignificance as they demonstrated that love will conquer all.

The storm can do it's all, it can rage, and scream, and tear down.

Love will quietly, calmly, with strength, rise again. Touch by touch. Breath by breath. Truth by truth. 

Revd Louise Grace

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