Give us the will to be the servant of others

It’s a shame that such wonderful words as can be found in today’s (Fifth Sunday of Lent) Post Communion prayer, are hidden away in a place where they won’t always get the attention they deserve. But it isn’t unusual to find such good examples of Anglican doctrine shining forth from the liturgy we use.

At Godmanchester we do try very hard to give the Post Communion prayer its proper place within the liturgy. But, as much as we aim for a short period of silence, it rarely happens fully — there’s usually some sort of background hum to be heard; and the Deacon and servers will sometimes still be doing the ablutions. The result is that sometimes these are just more words said by the Celebrant, and, I’m sure, missed by many in the congregation.

I wasn’t there today, so don’t know if things went the same as normal. But I do hope some heard, and were able to pray with the Celebrant, today’s Post Communion prayer. It says so much about the pastoral heart of our Church. One of those real gems we sometimes come across within our liturgy.

Lord Jesus Christ,
you have taught us
that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters
we do also for you:
give us the will to be the servant of others
as you were the servant of all,
and gave up your life and died for us,
but are alive and reign, now and for ever. Amen.

Post Communion Prayer for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

That we may know eternal peace

Passiontide begins this Sunday, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, and we start to think much more about the death of Jesus.

This Collect tells us in no uncertain terms what that death achieved for us — eternal peace. We can enjoy a peace-filled eternal life because of what God, through his Son, did for us on the cross. He suffered the agonies of crucifixion so that we may know eternal peace.

That’s how much God loves us! Isn’t that an incredible thought?!

Every year at this time, in these next two weeks, I shed many a tear thinking about the sacrifice that was made for me.

“Amazing Love, O what sacrifice,
The Son of God, given for me.”
(Graham Kendrick)

Gracious Father,
you gave up your Son
out of love for the world:
lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion,
that we may know eternal peace
through the shedding of our Saviour’s blood,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Additional Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Lent
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council