It always interests me to see how different Christians worship. Some traditions are richly structured, with set liturgy and familiar rhythms. For many, that predictability is a gift. Others are more spacious, leaving room for spontaneity and silence. That freedom can be a gift too. The Church has always found different languages for worship. NoneContinue reading “Lent 2026: It just washes over you”
Category Archives: lent
Lent 2026: A good silence
When I woke this morning, the sun was streaming through my window. It feels as though it has been hiding for most of this year. Rain. Cold wind. Grey skies that never quite lift. So to open my eyes to blue was an uplifting start to the day. I walked to college for morning prayer,Continue reading “Lent 2026: A good silence”
Lent 2026: When the dice don’t roll…
Just a short post today. I’m sure there’s much more Catan could open my eyes to, but just one more for this little series. This time, I’m moving away from strategy. I’ve said before that Catan is a game of luck made to look like a game of strategy. That’s a little unfair, of course.Continue reading “Lent 2026: When the dice don’t roll…”
Lent 2026: Does anyone have a brick?
Apparently the game isn’t done teaching me yet… If you read yesterday’s post, you’ll know Catan has become a popular game with some of my family. It’s also turning out to be a goldmine for theological thinking, so here’s a second reflection inspired by the board game. Our games of Catan have a particular rhythm.Continue reading “Lent 2026: Does anyone have a brick?”
Lent 2026: Starting Tiles
Do you like games? I do, especially board games that pretend to reward strategy while quietly smuggling in chaos. Recently our family favourite has been Catan. The idea is simple: the board is made of different resources, wood, wheat, sheep, brick and ore. Each tile has a number, and when that number is rolled onContinue reading “Lent 2026: Starting Tiles”
Lent 2026: Exactly where you’re meant to be
Today I took a break from study and watched an episode of Firefly, a ‘space-western’ TV show from 2002. The series follows the crew of a spaceship who take any job that pays, even if it is technically against the law. (They have their own moral code so are definitely the ‘good guys’) In theContinue reading “Lent 2026: Exactly where you’re meant to be”
Lent 2026: If…
This year I have been greedy; I have two books to read and reflect on through lent. I guess unsurprisingly they both use the passage of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. Both books gave me plenty to think about, but for today I want to go back to the passage. I read through MatthewContinue reading “Lent 2026: If…”
Lent 2025: Through the lens of Grace
Today is Holy Saturday. Traditionally, a day of stillness and silence between the devastation of Good Friday and the triumph of Easter Day. It’s interesting to wonder how the disciples would have felt. The whole world has changed, and yet life continues. Would they have been thinking back over the last few days, wondering whatContinue reading “Lent 2025: Through the lens of Grace”
Lent 2025: “I Thirst”
Today, for a Good Friday service, we were exploring the last seven sayings of Jesus from the cross. I was assigned the fifth saying, “I thirst,” and asked to speak for five minutes on it. At first, I wondered how on earth I was going to talk for five minutes about just two words. ButContinue reading “Lent 2025: “I Thirst””
Lent 2025: Anointing, Abandonment and a Peace that holds
It’s been another busy day. This morning we held a Chrism Mass – a service where the oils used for anointing are blessed, and clergy and lay people have the opportunity to renew their vows of commitment to God. There were hundreds of people on site; the car park was full, the congregation sang withContinue reading “Lent 2025: Anointing, Abandonment and a Peace that holds”
The Reason for my Hope Blog 