HOLY TUESDAY – ‘The Anointing at Bethany’
BREATHE
Calm your head, heart, and hands as you slowly breathe in . . . and out.
Collect for the day
True and humble king, hailed by the crowd as Messiah: grant us the faith to know you and love you, that we may be found beside you on the way of the cross which is the path of glory; for you live and reign in the unity of the Holy Trinity, one God, in glory everlasting.
Amen
Read: Mark 14: 1-11
Wonder
Why is the woman pouring expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet?
What beautiful things can you do for Jesus?
What costly things are you willing to do for Jesus?
Reflect on situations where you have felt misunderstood and unappreciated.
Think about Jesus taking up your gifts with love and gratitude, fully appreciative of all you do.
Pray
Help us, Lord, to appreciate the greatness of your love,
to recognize how much you gave to establish a living relationship with us.
Help us to receive the life you offer,
with reverent praise and glad thanksgiving.
Amen
(by Nick Fawcett)
By Julian Stankova
Meditative Moment
The Anointing at Bethany
by Malcolm Guite
Come close with Mary, Martha , Lazarus
So close the candles stir with their soft breath
And kindle heart and soul to flame within us
Lit by these mysteries of life and death.
For beauty now begins the final movement
In quietness and intimate encounter
The alabaster jar of precious ointment
Is broken open for the world’s true lover,
The whole room richly fills to feast the senses
With all the yearning such a fragrance brings,
The heart is mourning but the spirit dances,
Here at the very centre of all things,
Here at the meeting place of love and loss
We all foresee, and see beyond the cross.
Holy Tuesday
Something else to do:
Pancakes
125g flour
Salt
275ml of milk and water, mixed
1 egg
Butter
Toppings: lemon juice/ sugar/ maple syrup/ bananas/ chocolate spread/ cinnamon
- Sift the flour and salt in a big bowl.
- Break the egg over the flour and whisk it into the flour.
- Add the watery milk bit by bit, whisking all the time until the mixture is smooth.
- Melt a little butter in a small frying pan before adding some of the batter over the base of the pan.
- When the batter appears set, flip the pancake over to cook it on the other side.
- Repeat until the batter is used up. Eat immediately or reheat in microwave.
As you add something sweet to your pancakes, thank God for something ‘sweet’ or good in your life. Smell the different toppings you want to use. Think about what scents you like. God wanted life to be good, but it is often mixed with tears. Add some lemon juice to your pancake (or if you don’t have any just leave the pancake plain) and tell God about something ‘bitter’ or difficult in your life. Thank God that he is with us through both the good times and the hard times.