Fr Matt's Blog - reflections on Church, life and books

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews ... [John 20.19a] The text of the New Testament has long been used as a stick with which to beat our Jewish brethren, whether it's the so called blood curse of Matthew 27.25, where the crowd in Jerusalem say that the blood of Christ (representing guilt for his death is upon them and their children (when actually is it upon the whole of Creation, and by it we are redeemed), or this text. However, as with Matthew 27.25, this text is far more nuanced than first meets the eye. Fear of the Jews They disciples had gone into hiding for fear of the Jews, that is clear enough. But it is not the feat we might feel because of inter-faith persecution, it is not like a Hindus attacking Muslims in India, rather it's a case of two portions of the same faith disagreeing with one another. The fear may come from the threat that the Jesus moveme...

Following Ordination I swiftly noticed that the majority of my friends on Facebook were fellow clerics. During the lockdown, with little else to do, many of my friends have been debating theology, liturgy, and how to deal with the lockdown. One of the discussions earlier this week centred on whether we could consecrate Mass virtually, that is if during the Eucharistic Prayer someone watching a video of the Mass held up bread and wine at the appropriate moments, they would be consecrated. My initial response was no, and remains so. Here's why, First because it doesn't fit with how we understand the Prayer of Consecration. In Common Worship, the Missal used by the Church of England, the instructions are that following the Offertory the Minister celebrating the Mass takes the bread and wine in his hands. This why, even if the table has been prepared previously by another Minister, you'll see the Celebrant touch each chalice and ciborium, he may even adjust their position ...

The Mass for the Second Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday, 19 April 2020 THE GATHERING Hymn Ye choirs of new Jerusalem Ye choirs of new Jerusalem, your sweetest notes employ, the Paschal victory to hymn in strains of holy joy. For Judah's Lion burst his chains, and crushed the serpent's head; and brought with him, from death's domains, the long-imprisoned dead. Triumphant in his glory now his sceptre ruleth all: earth, heav'n and hell before him bow and at his footstool fall. While joyful thus his praise we sing, his mercy we implore, into his palace bright to bring, and keep us evermore. All glory to the Father be, all glory to the Son, all glory, Holy Ghost, to thee, while endless ages run. [NEH 124, omitting v.3] Introit The celebrant prays the Introit Like newborn infants, you must long for the pure, spiritual milk, that in him you may grow to salvation, alleluia. In the name...