Evening Prayers Sunday, 26 April 2020
Hello, everyone.
‘Stay with us, for it is evening, and the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. And when he had sat down with them at the table, he took bread, and offered it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him!
Luke 24: 29–31
As I was thinking about the music I would prepare and record for our service this morning, I reflected on the wonderful story of the revelation of the risen Jesus to two of his disciples on the Emmaus road. Immediately my mind went back to the lovely Amazing Grace Pilgrimage Walk, from Cornerstone to Olney, which many of us were involved with last September. It struck me that the distance from Jerusalem to Emmaus is about the same on foot as from Cornerstone to Olney. I was delighted when tenor Richard MayMiller reminded me that he had recorded some of the music at the closing service of the Pilgrimage Walk in Olney Parish Church, which our choir had been privileged to lead, with Canon John Robertson. We were able to share some of that music with you this morning, including Charles Stanford’s setting of one of the great Olney hymns of William Cowper:
O for a closer walk with God,
a calm and heavenly frame;
a light to shine upon the road
that leads me to the Lamb!
Following their ‘closer walk with God’, a God as yet unrevealed, the disciples invited their companion to stay the night. He broke bread with them and then… their eyes were opened, and they recognized him! (Luke 24: 31)
During this past week, I have tried to be alert to ‘recognising God’ in my daily routine. I’ve seen him in the stunning beauty of nature during walks with Ralphi the dog, I’ve felt his presence in the warm smiles and greetings from passers by (albeit at suitable social distance), I’ve heard him in the glorious singing of the birds and in beautiful music shared with my daughter Louise on her viola. I’ve even sensed his presence in the young man who helped guide my over-filled shopping trolley when it started running amok outside Tesco yesterday morning!
And now, to prayer:
Heavenly Father, may we recognise your presence….
- In the amazing variety and wonder of nature on these lovely Spring days
- In beautiful music which lifts our spirits and stirs our soul
- In the selfless dedicated commitment of our doctors, nurses and care-workers, operating on the front line of the current epidemic
- In the dedicated work of thousands of volunteers bringing support and comfort to those who are isolated, vulnerable or housebound
- In the strong sense of solidarity, unity and community we all feel when we ‘clap for our carers’ on Thursdays at 8.00 pm
- In the amazing example of compassion and selflessness shown by individuals
like Captain Tom Moore, Kevin Love, Mary Laura and Rebecca Mehra
who are an inspiration to us all - In the calmer and steadier pace or life which the current lockdown has brought to us,
enabling a more reflective approach to daily routine and a strengthening of family bonds - In the many opportunities we have been given to continue sharing,
praying and worshiping with each other at this most challenging time.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Lord, heal me in my blindness.
Open my eyes to see you on every country road and city street.
Open my ears to hear you in every conversation with family, friend and stranger.
Lord, in your mercy, may I never break bread without giving thanks, for the body broken for me.
In your risen presence, may every meal be my Emmaus.
Amen
To end the evening, I will share with you our choir’s first performance of my ‘Olney Blessing’, written specially for the Amazing Grace Pilgrimage Walk concluding service in Olney Parish Church last September. The soloist is Cathy Hampton.
May the grace of Christ our Saviour,
and the Father’s boundless love,
with the Holy Spirit’s favour,
rest upon us from above.
Thus may we abide in union
with each other and the Lord,
and possess, in sweet communion,
joys with earth cannot afford.
John Newton (1725–1807), based on 2 Corinthians 13: 13–14
