HOLY PLACES MONDAY 5 APRIL READINGS Acts 2:14. 22-32 REFLECTION PART II – THE HOLY LIVE Psalm 16:1-2. the 6-end ISLAND OF WORD Matthew 28:8-15 n these Iweeks he Holy Island of Lindisfarne, just off the Northumbrian coast, is SUSTAINING YOU TUESDAY after a popular place of pilgrimage now, although it has a turbulent THROUGH THE WEEK 6 APRIL Easter we T Acts 2:36-41 history of Viking invasion which forced its famous monastic Psalm 33:4-5. are invited community to leave. Turn east off the A1 nine miles or so south of 18-end to take in the border town of Berwick. Head over the main east coast railway at Edited by John 20:11-18 the reality Beal and the peace hits you like a wave. No wonder when St Aidan Caroline Hodgson of Jesus WEDNESDAY arrived in Northumbria in around AD 634 at the request of its king, and risen 7 APRIL Oswald, he chose it as the place for a priory. This was to be the base Heather Smith Acts 3:1-10 from the from which he restored Christianity to the kingdom. Psalm 105:1-9 dead. Our Luke 24:13-35 readings The island is cut off at high tide, and for centuries visitors had this week to take the route across the sand to get there. In the first half of THURSDAY the twentieth century there were special high taxis to take you, 8 APRIL take us through all four Gospels, looking at the resurrected Jesus Acts 3:11-end from all angles, rather like a cubist painting, and in some ways just allowing for the longest possible access between tides. There has Psalm 8 as confusing. The reading from Mark on Saturday is almost certainly been a causeway since 1954. Travel across it with careful attention Luke 24:35-48 a later addition to the starkness of the original ending at verse 8, with to the tides and find yourself in the place that was known by Finian, the disciples fleeing terrified from the empty tomb. Bishop of Northumbria (651-661) and Northumbria’s patron saint, FRIDAY Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne. The famous Lindisfarne Gospels were 9 APRIL In Luke, the disciples on the road to Emmaus fail at first to recognise Acts 4:1-12 produced here in the eighth century. Psalm 118:1-4. Jesus – and the same is true in John’s Gospel for Mary, thinking 22-26 that Jesus is the gardener, and again for the disciples on the shore. Today, the Community of Aidan and Hilda John 21:1-14 In Matthew not only do the authorities refuse to believe, but the holds retreats on the island and you disciples have ongoing doubts. It’s hard to take in such a momentous can stay at their house, the Open Gate. SATURDAY fact as Jesus’ resurrection, God’s power for life breaking through Their approach is in the Celtic tradition 10 APRIL and you might find a week based around Acts 4:13-21 again into the world. Let’s not be afraid of our doubts and questions, Psalm 118:1-4. but bring them in prayer to Jesus and allow him to love us back into the fantastic nature on the island or on 14-21 faith and life. mysticism or Aidan and Hilda themselves. Mark 16:9-15 It would be hard not to feel inspired by the Loving God, you meet us by your risen Son place, whether you find it windswept or in the midst of our questioning and our doubts. bathed in sunshine. You can almost catch St Cuthbert in the ruins of the Benedictine monastery of Lindisfarne Help us to recognise him in the reality of our lives, a glimpse of those early Christian leaders Easter Week PRAYER to hear his word of healing love, walking on the beaches, communing with God, and there is plenty and to bring that word to others. [email protected] @redemptorist 88222 www.rpbooks.co.uk 01420 of opportunity to do the same. You might wonder why it was all too Monday 5 April to Saturday 10 April busy for Cuthbert, who moved to the island of Inner Farne, further WEEK FSC 2021 down the coast, to live as a hermit. redemp orist Live the Word. Written by Heather Smith and John Witcombe. Copyright © logo publications Redemptorist Publications, Chawton, Hampshire GU34 3HQ, A registered charity limited by guarantee. Registered in 03261721. www.rpbooks.co.uk. HOLY PLACES MONDAY 12 APRIL READINGS Acts 4:23-31 LIVE Psalm 2:1-9 REFLECTION PART III – INNER FARNE the John 3:1-8 WORD n this second he are situated off the coast of Northumberland, TUESDAY week after SUSTAINING YOU I directly east of . Inner Farne, although closest to the 13 APRIL Easter we begin T THROUGH THE WEEK Acts 4:32-end mainland, is a wild and windswept place. Now owned by the National to follow the Psalm 93 Trust, it is home to puffins in the breeding season, and still houses John 3:7-15 story of the first the remains of a seventh-century anchorite cell and the fourteenth- Church in the century St Cuthbert’s Chapel. Edited by WEDNESDAY book of Acts and Caroline Hodgson 14 APRIL the Gospel of You can reach Inner Farne by boat from Seahouses, a bustling little Acts 5:17-26 and John. Together town a little south of Bamburgh with its iconic castle. You may be Psalm 34:1-8 Sculpture St Peter with a key, St Peter’s Cathedral, Vatican Heather Smith John 3:16-21 they help us accompanied by nature lovers and those who want to visit the engage afresh with the reality of Jesus – who he is, and what he Longstone from where famously rowed to THURSDAY means for us. This week’s readings include one of the most famous the wrecked Forfarshire in 1838. But there is plenty of time to imagine 15 APRIL of all verses, John 3:16: “God so loved the world that he gave his the experience of St Aidan and St Cuthbert, who both lived on the Acts 5:27-33 Psalm 34:1. 15- only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but island. end may have eternal life”. Jesus is the one who has come from heaven St Aidan was here when the pagan Mercian King Penda burned John 3:31-end to earth, the saviour of the world, the one who feeds the hungry and Bamburgh. St Cuthbert, who had made his way to Lindisfarne after walks on water, who gave his life for the life of the world. FRIDAY a vision of angels on the night St Aidan died in 651, went to live on 16 APRIL In the light of the resurrection, Peter prays for boldness to proclaim Inner Farne in 676. He stayed until 684 when he was elected Bishop Acts 5:34-42 the good news and is filled with the Holy Spirit – and the Church of Lindisfarne, but returned two years later and died on Inner Farne Psalm 27:1-5. 16-17 multiplies. This is a good week to meditate on that single verse, in 687. turning it over in our minds and hearts until we are so gripped by John 6:1-15 St Cuthbert constructed a round building its truth that we simply have to tell the world, to speak with Peter’s with a straw roof containing an oratory for SATURDAY boldness of the transforming love of God, that all may know that prayer and a house to live in. He also dug 17 APRIL Jesus has risen from the dead. Acts 6:1-7 out a well. The chapel that exists today was Psalm 33:1-5. built in 1370 and probably stands on the 18-19 same spot as the oratory. John 6:16-21 Eternal God, you raised Jesus from the dead as saviour of the world. An interest in the wildlife is not out of Give us courage and compassion to share keeping with the spiritual nature of the the good news with all your people, island. The Venerable Bede recorded a PRAYER that the whole world may come to believe legendary story of otters who came to and receive your gift of eternal life. warm and dry St Cuthbert’s feet after he had been praying in the Second week of Easter 01420 88222 www.rpbooks.co.uk [email protected] @redemptorist 88222 www.rpbooks.co.uk 01420 sea all night, while Cuthbert is also said to have scolded crows for Monday 12 April to eating his barley. If you walk to the far end of the island you can find Saturday 17 April WEEK FSC a quiet spot away from others to contemplate Cuthbert’s life and to 2021 redemp orist Live the Word. Written by Heather Smith and John Witcombe. Copyright © logo publications Redemptorist Publications, Chawton, Hampshire GU34 3HQ, A registered charity experience the majesty of God’s creation in this wild place. limited by guarantee. Registered in England 03261721. www.rpbooks.co.uk. HOLY PLACES MONDAY 19 APRIL READINGS Acts 6:8-15 LIVE Psalm 119:17-24 REFLECTION PART IV – ST CUTHBERT’S CAVE the John 6:22-29 WORD ohn’s eather Smith concludes her series about sacred sites of the UK. TUESDAY JGospel is an H SUSTAINING YOU 20 APRIL St Cuthbert, Abbot of Lindisfarne Priory and Bishop of Lindisfarne, extraordinary THROUGH THE WEEK Acts 7:51 – 8:1 a reflection on died on Inner Farne in 687. He had been living there as a hermit. Psalm 31:1-5. 16 The monks buried him on Lindisfarne and his tomb soon became John 6:30-35 the life and ministry of a place of pilgrimage, with many miracles attributed to him. But Edited by WEDNESDAY Jesus. Some almost a hundred years later the monastery was attacked by Vikings Caroline Hodgson 21 APRIL commentaries in a shocking raid, and after another eighty years the monks became Acts 8:1b-8 and think that it’s concerned about invasion by the Danes. They left Lindisfarne, taking Psalm 66:1-6 Heather Smith John 6:35-40 written with Cuthbert’s body with them. They were to wander around the area such insight, it must be one of the earliest Gospels, from one who for seven years, but legend has it that their first resting place was an THURSDAY knew Jesus personally. Others think it can only be the fruit of years impressive sandstone rock shelter near Belford – inland and a little 22 APRIL of prayerful reflection, displaying the depth of understanding born of south of the island they had left. Acts 8:26-end Psalm 66:7-8. turning over and over what Jesus said and did to reach the profound You can reach the cave only on foot, walking on part of the long- 14-end truths it contains. distance footpath known as St Cuthbert’s Way. The route from the John 6:44-51 This week we have the chance to take a few verses at a time (bite- National Trust car park at Holburn Grange takes you across farmland FRIDAY sized chunks) of John’s account of Jesus’ teaching after the feeding and into a small forest plantation to the atmospheric cave. Far away 23 APRIL of the five thousand, which is recounted earlier in chapter six. Jesus from traffic and signs of civilisation, it is easy to imagine the monks George, martyr, carefully explains that it was more than just providing a picnic; it arriving with their precious cargo and taking shelter. patron of England 1 Maccabees was a sign of God’s provision of a heavenly diet – that to believe in If you climb up on top of the cave using the path to 2:59-64 Jesus was to feed on the bread of heaven. Even the disciples find this the side, you can see Lindisfarne in the distance, a or Revelation difficult to take in (see Saturday’s reading), so we can be forgiven if poignant memory for the monks of the place they 12:7-12 we struggle to understand, but at its heart it is the message of the Psalm 126 had left. Eucharist, that in believing and receiving the life of Jesus in bread 2 Timothy 2:3-13 Of all the places associated with the monks of John 15:18-21 and wine, we receive his gift of eternal life, and are sustained in our life of prayer and discipleship. Lindisfarne, this is probably the one where you SATURDAY are most likely to find yourself alone. Here there 24 APRIL is space and peace to contemplate the way in Acts 9:31-42 Lord, you have the words of eternal life, which certain places become holy places. You Psalm 116:10-15 and you offer them to us in bread and wine. John 6:60-69 might wonder whether the monks found it to be Help us to receive your gift of life, a thin place, where heaven and earth are close, or

PRAYER and live it to your praise and glory, whether it has become so for us because of its association with them. Third week of Easter for the sake of the world. 01420 88222 www.rpbooks.co.uk [email protected] @redemptorist 88222 www.rpbooks.co.uk 01420 Whatever you conclude it has a numinous feel about it. If you allow Monday 19 April to it, it will draw you towards God, by its tranquillity or by joining your Saturday 24 April WEEK FSC prayers with those of the monks who rested here. 2021 redemp orist Live the Word. Written by Heather Smith and John Witcombe. Copyright © logo publications Redemptorist Publications, Chawton, Hampshire GU34 3HQ, A registered charity limited by guarantee. Registered in England 03261721. www.rpbooks.co.uk. BOOKS OF THE BIBLE MONDAY 26 APRIL

READINGS Mark the Evangelist REFLECTION PART XXXIII – MICAH – A BOOK LIVE Proverbs 15:28-end the or Acts 15:35-end FOR A TIME OF TROUBLE WORD Psalm 119:9-16 his week’s readings are eorgina Byrne takes the baton and continues our book-by-book Ephesians 4:7-16 T SUSTAINING YOU Mark 13:5-13 framed by the feasts series about the Bible. G THROUGH THE WEEK of St Mark and Ss TUESDAY When trouble comes, how do you treat those who are poorest? This Philip and James. 27 APRIL question remains pertinent to every generation and every society, and Acts 11:19-26 The readings from for this reason Micah is a book that bears reading over and again. Edited by Psalm 87 Acts, though, begin Caroline Hodgson John 10:22-30 to follow the ministry Micah was prophesying in the southern kingdom of Judah towards the and of another Jesus’ end of the eighth century BC, at the same time as Amos and Hosea. His WEDNESDAY Heather Smith words are addressed both to the people of Judah and to the kingdom of 28 APRIL apostles – Saul, who June 2020, George Floyd Protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Israel. The prophet speaks at a time when peace and relative prosperity are Acts 12:24 – 13:5 starts to be known awoods3 / Shutterstock.com Psalm 67 as Paul in the midst coming to an end. The region is increasingly unsettled by the expansion John 12:44-end of these passages. The change of name is not really explained – it of the Assyrian Empire and the threat is coming closer: “it has come to Judah; it has reached to the gate of my people, to Jerusalem” (1:9). THURSDAY may be that Paul, a Roman name, was easier to use in a missionary 29 APRIL context than the Jewish name Saul, when he was speaking about Micah connects the inevitable disaster with the abandonment of justice. Acts 13:13-25 Jesus to the Gentiles. Having enjoyed a time of plenty, the people have forgotten how to live Psalm 89:1-2. 20-26 righteously as God’s people. Instead, they “walk haughtily” (2:3), their John 13:16-20 Why did Jesus choose Paul? Why does Jesus choose any of us? What’s certain is that Jesus always knows what he’s doing (see John leaders “eat the flesh” of the people (3:3) and abhor justice (3:9). FRIDAY 13:18 – “I know whom I have chosen”). The vital thing is who we God issues a challenge to the people: “What have I done to you? In what 30 APRIL Acts 13:26-33 are in our relationship with him: it’s not ourselves, but Jesus whom have I wearied you?” (6:3). God has saved them, brought them out of Psalm 2 we proclaim, whether we are a Mark, a Philip or James, a Saul or a Egypt, and given them prosperity, and yet they have taken their privilege John 14:1-6 Paul… a Tom, Dick or Harry. for granted and neglected those in need.

SATURDAY What do you think your name brings to mind for those who know Even amid the sharp criticism, there is hope for the world beyond the 1 MAY you? Is it a word of life, of love? And most importantly, does it point coming doom. Micah shines with a vision of the future that is both Philip and James, to Jesus, who himself lives to bring people to the Father – the heart peaceful and inclusive. We read of the Lord’s house being established Apostles of these verses from John’s Gospel. Isaiah 30:15-21 with “many peoples” streaming to it, of turning “swords into plowshares, Psalm 119:1-8 and… spears into pruning hooks”. We read that: “nation shall not lift up Ephesians 1:3-10 sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (4:1-4). John 14:1-14 Loving God, you know us and have chosen us and call each of us by name. But it is the challenge to live a just life – individual and corporate – that is May our lives reflect your calling, Micah’s lasting gift to every generation: “what does the Lord require of

PRAYER and may the way we live always point to your Son, you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your Fourth week of Easter

who is the way, the truth, and the life. [email protected] @redemptorist 88222 www.rpbooks.co.uk 01420 God?” (6:8). Monday 26 April to Saturday 1 May Canon Georgina Byrne is Residentiary Canon at Worcester Cathedral and WEEK FSC 2021 redemp orist Live the Word. Written by Georgina Byrne and John Witcombe. Copyright © Redemptorist logo a Chaplain to The Queen. publications Publications, Chawton, Hampshire GU34 3HQ, A registered charity limited by guarantee. Registered in England 03261721. www.rpbooks.co.uk.