April Shower

Palm Sunday, the start of a busy week for churches across the world in the run up to Easter. Soon after our morning service at St Luke’s began, we processed from the extension hall through the lobby area and into the main church holding our palm crosses, recreating the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey to celebrate Passover, crowds waving palm branches and laying cloaks on the ground to honour him. Tradition has it that as they approached the temple, Jesus drew the donkey to a halt. He climbed down, patted the animal and said, “Well done.” The next day, people noticed the markings of a cross on the little donkey's back. To this day, the smaller breed of donkeys proudly wears this sign of the cross.

At last we had some rain during the afternoon, desperately needed by the spring plants to continue flourishing, but it didn’t amount to much. I caught some drops on the French doors, with my Acer tree in the background becoming more leafy and vibrant by the day.

In the evening, some of us went back into St Luke’s for a special service called ‘Last Words of Love’, a reflection on the last words of Christ on the cross, with music and readings (see Extra). The choir was Cantus Firmus, which is made up of singers from churches across Suffolk and north Essex, and they were in fine voice. I did one of the final readings, only two lines but I gave my best effort in saying Jesus’ penultimate words - “it is finished”, meaning his work was now done. After the readings, reflections, singing and prayers, Bishop Roger of Colchester spoke about the all-encompassing importance of love. A thoughtful service and a good start to Holy Week.