Tag Archives: justice

Beware on Good Friday: God sides with the vulnerable

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Ian Black

Which words stood out for you as we read John’s account of the final moments of Jesus’ life – his trial before Pilate, condemnation and immediate crucifixion and burial? At the moment one phrase seems particularly relevant, Pilate’s question ‘what … Continue reading →

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Good Friday – Jesus’ #MeToo Moment

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Ian Black

One of the less visited hidden areas of this cathedral is the gaol. Like all medieval abbeys, which were also the local Lords of the Manor, in our case the Soke of Peterborough, Peterborough Abbey had a gaol. It’s just … Continue reading →

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Hugh of Lincoln and his swan. Justice, holiness, calm in the storm, courage to speak truth to power.

Posted on November 15, 2020 by Ian Black

I was in a garden centre before lockdown and found this fun, novelty watering can. It is a swan and for all of us with Lincoln connections that means just one thing, St Hugh, the saintly bishop of Lincoln whom … Continue reading →

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Baptism of Christ: heaven on earth

Posted on January 12, 2020 by Ian Black

January is a time of new beginnings and also facing reality. With the hopes of New Year resolutions this is the week when sandwich shops know that resolve weakens, so they buy in more stock and the more tasty stock … Continue reading →

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Love is stronger than death: Remembrance Sunday

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Ian Black

Looking through hymns for Remembrance Sunday, and also readings and prayers, a common theme emerges. The imploring is for war to cease, looking forward to a time when peace will reign and there will be an end to fighting, to … Continue reading →

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Foundations of nation-building

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Ian Black

Yesterday our church calendar remembered Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons in the ninth century. There is so much more to Alfred and his dynasty than burning cakes and raids on Danish occupying forces from the marshes. Alfred … Continue reading →

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Compassion, Conviction and Courage

Posted on June 17, 2018 by Ian Black

One of the things we do really well in this country is our ceremony. We know and are well practiced at putting on a good show. We can rummage in the dressing up box and come up with robes and … Continue reading →

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The Vine – connecting with God

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Ian Black

Go into any church and there is a strong chance that you will find images of vines. It appears as decoration around screens, in windows, on altar frontals. The weaving foliage, often ripe with fruit, provides a good coverage for … Continue reading →

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Sabbath – pressing the reset button

Posted on March 4, 2018 by Ian Black

Which Commandment is the greatest? Our first reading gave us ten (Exodus 20:1-17) and it is an understandable question, which one is the most important. When Jesus was asked this question he gave the classic summary of the greatest being … Continue reading →

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Jerusalem: herald of good tidings

Posted on December 10, 2017 by Ian Black

Jerusalem has been in the news this week. President Donald Trump entered into a very sensitive area of international politics by backing Israel’s claim to Jerusalem as its “united and eternal” capital city. This is highly contentious, disputed by the … Continue reading →

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