To help journey to Easter Day, Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York has recorded six short video reflections for watching during Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday. The reflections are based on a book the Archbishop wrote a few years ago called ‘The Things He Did.’
The daily reflections look at some of Jesus’ actions that lead to his crucifixion on Good Friday. These include entering Jerusalem riding on a donkey, overturning the tables of the moneylenders in the Temple, and washing his disciples’ feet.
The Archbishop says, “One of the great images of Holy Week is Jesus with his arms open wide, not selectively, not cautiously, but with beautiful grace and generosity. Jesus saw people, and where others saw disgrace and wanted to distance themselves, he came towards us with love. His love is always inclusive and restorative. This kind of acceptance scandalised people then, and it’s what Jesus still does today.”
Each reflection closes with the following prayer:
Dear God,
You let your walking do the talking
And your word is always made flesh.
Show me what to do by looking at the things you did
And doing them myself,
Let this be how people know I’m your disciple.
Amen.
People will be able to see the daily videos via Facebook (@archbishopofyork) and Instagram (@stephencottrell_aby).
Archbishop Stephen will be preaching at York Minster at the Easter Vigil Service on Saturday, 4 April at 8pm, and on Easter Sunday, at 11am. These services are livestreamed at York Minster’s YouTube channel.
‘The Things He Did – The Story of Holy Week’ is published by SPCK.
