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  • Unreconciled?: Exploring Mission in an Imperfect World
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    This book is the reference resource for the 2012 Lent courses at All Saints Ealing and St Martins West Acton. The focus is about making our theology of reconcilaition personal not just a matter of Christian duty. It is all too easy to pray for reconciliation for war torn countries "out there". But what about the reconciliation needed "in here"? What about the Unreconciled in our homes or on our doorsteps who feel left out, unheard, wounded or ignored? How can the local church offer the gift of Christ's reconciliation to those whose problems we are not even aware of?

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    A very thorough overview of the 7 sacraments and their relationship to the doctrine of the incarnation. Davison's writing is accessible, scholarly and succinct. 

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    Essential source book for any liturgist. Kavanagh unpacks basic very profound principles informing healthy Echaristic worship.

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    How the Eucharist brings us into slow work of faith, hope and love.

  • Creating Uncommon Worship: Transforming the Liturgy of the Eucharist
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    This book highlights the great richness, variety and imaginitive potential of modern sacramental worship. A must read for liturgists.

  • The Art of Worship: Paintings, Prayers, and Readings for Meditation (National Gallery London)
    The Art of Worship: Paintings, Prayers, and Readings for Meditation (National Gallery London)
    by Nicholas Holtam

    An excellent collection of spiritual reflecions on selected artwork in the National Gallery. This is Nicholas Holtam (one time Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields and now Bishop Salisbury) at his best.

  • Difficult Gospel: The Theology of Rowan Williams
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    A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the fundamental principles behind Rowan Williams' theology.

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    A compelling statistical study about equal societies and the broad based social benefits enjoyed in these nations. The numbers are easy and so is the read; but the implications are hard to swallow.

  • The Shattered Lantern: Rediscovering a Felt Presence of God
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    What does authentic Christian spirituality look and feel like? This book explores these very relevant themes and will leave you deeply enriched.

  • Tradition and Imagination: Revelation and Change
    Tradition and Imagination: Revelation and Change
    by David Brown
  • Discipleship and Imagination: Christian Tradition and Truth
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  • God and Grace of Body: Sacrament in Ordinary
    God and Grace of Body: Sacrament in Ordinary
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  • God and Mystery in Words: Experience through Metaphor and Drama
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    by David Brown
  • Poet and Peasant: Literary-cultural Approach to the Parables in Luke
    Poet and Peasant: Literary-cultural Approach to the Parables in Luke
    by Kenneth E. Bailey

    An outstanding study of the parables. Kenneth Bailey's profound insights into the Middle-Eastern culture of Jesus' day will revolutionise the way you see the parables. 

« Teach Us to Serve (Lent 4) | Main | "40" »
Tuesday
Mar132012

Keep us simple (Lent 3)

[This is the third of the mediations used during Lent at All Saints Ealing.  In place of the sermon, the congregation are invited to reflect upon a work of art from the National Gallery. The reflection is accompanied by simple meditative music. The reflection is inspired by the lectionary readings for the day and two books: Nicholas Holtam's The Art of Worship and Anne Richards' Unreconciled - Exploring mission in an imperfect world. The selection of accompanying music as well as commentary on it is provided by the Director of Music - Gina Kruger.]

Francisco de Zurbarán, A Cup of Water and A Rose, 1630 (Courtesy of the National Gallery)

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;

the decrees of the LORD are sure,

making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear,

enlightening the eyes;

Psalm 19:7-8

 

We lead incredibly catered lives. This is especially true in a city like London where we have access to everything we could ever want. Ironically, for many of us, life can often feel empty. The genius of this still life is that it literally offers us the beauty of a still life – an unadorned cup, a simple pewter plate and a rose in bloom. Spend a little time with this work and we soon realise that it guides us to something not portrayed but certainly present, and that is stillness. 

What would the table setting of our lives look like? What unnecessary clutter or blinding pressure would come between us and savouring the refreshment of water or the delight of a rose in bloom? Paul in our reading from 1 Corinthians 1 today puts the challenge to us in this way: “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”

This cleansing righteousness (or making right) of God is made very real when Jesus is turning the tables of traders and moneychangers in the temple courts. He cries out “Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!" (John 2:13-22) He could well have said, “Stop desecrating your sacred lives by chasing after things you want but do not need, clean out the clutter of your minds and hearts because you’ve lost sight of God!” Are we prepared to let Jesus turn the tables in our messy lives, to clear the way for the simple message that God loves us?

 

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.

ANON, 19th century. American Shaker song.

 

Music for the Reflection: 

Granada by Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909)  

This is the first of five pieces in the Suite Espanola Op. 47. Marked Serenade, this is a beautiful evocation of the city of Granada in southern Spain.

Estudio Sin Luz by Andres Segovia (1893-1987)

The title means ‘A study without light’.  This piece was composed during a period of convalescence after an eye operation to restore Segovia's failing eyesight. It is dedicated to his optician Jose Rubio.

 

Organ Postlude: Chorale Prelude - As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams (tune: Martyrdom) by C. H. Parry.

Parry worked at the Royal College of Music, London, and in Oxford. He is most beloved by worshippers for his musical setting of the hymn 'Jerusalem'.

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