Westminster Abbey

'To talk of ‘descent’ is, of course, a metaphor – the closest we can get to understanding what is going on. But Holy Saturday is when this metaphor must yield to another; of rising, of being raised. The descent into the human condition; into suffering and death and into the furthest alienation from love and life, reaches its limit today.'Listen to a reflection for Holy Saturday by the Reverend Mark Birch, Canon Rector at the Abbey. After spending Lent exploring the life and work of Jesus through the 'I Am' statements in John's gospel, we now move to the events of Holy Week. From Palm Sunday to Easter Day, our reflections now focus on the meaning behind each significant day of Holy Week. Join us as we follow the story of Jesus – from triumph to tragedy, from the cross to the empty tomb.

'Jesus kneels in front of them. This is the posture of an incarnate God; Jesus does not seek to control or coerce, there is no manipulation here. Simply the demonstration of loving, tender service, and a command to do as he does. That is the heart of the new commandment – the mandatum from which we get our word Maundy – to love one another, as Christ has loved us.'Listen to a reflection for Maundy Thursday by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian and Almoner at the Abbey. After spending Lent exploring the life and work of Jesus through the 'I Am' statements in John's gospel, we now move to the events of Holy Week. From Palm Sunday to Easter Day, our reflections now focus on the meaning behind each significant day of Holy Week. Join us as we follow the story of Jesus – from triumph to tragedy, from the cross to the empty tomb.

'The keeping of passiontide, which we begin today, is a kind of spiritual marathon. And as with any marathon, we need to hold the end in our mind’s eye. It is not just that we will remember the events of Jesus’s passion, death and resurrection, over these next weeks. It is also that we will be re-membered by them. Our fragile humanity has been put back together by the death and resurrection of Jesus, so that we need no longer fear death.'Listen to a reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Lent by the Reverend Dr Jamie Hawkey, Canon Theologian and Almoner at the Abbey. Each week during Lent, the lectionary explores the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth from the perspective of the Gospel of John. One of the ways that John’s gospel identifies what Jesus is like is through his ‘I Am’ statements. From ‘I am the bread of life’ to ‘I am the Good Shepherd’, these seven statements help us learn who Jesus is, and what it means to follow Him as disciples. Our reflections will explore these statements throughout the forty days of this season.

'Of course, ‘body ‘and ‘vine’ are both metaphors, used to help us imagine a truth, the depth of dependency on each other in Christ, that we would otherwise find impossible to grasp. Precisely how we are one body, branches of the one true vine, is deeply mysterious to us, but it is like this; like a body, like a vine. Baptism and Holy Communion enact this spiritual truth, not just as an idea, but as something practical, physical; to do with bodies and not just our minds.'Listen to a reflection for the Third Sunday of Lent by the Reverend Mark Birch, Canon Rector at the Abbey. Each week during Lent, the lectionary explores the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth from the perspective of the Gospel of John. One of the ways that John’s gospel identifies what Jesus is like is through his ‘I Am’ statements. From ‘I am the bread of life’ to ‘I am the Good Shepherd’, these seven statements help us learn who Jesus is, and what it means to follow Him as disciples. Our reflections will explore these statements throughout the forty days of this season.

'Every Eucharist, we are brought face to face with this abundance that does not operate on our own terms. At the altar, we are not given what we want or a vision of God which conforms to our own devices and desires, but instead we are given the bread of life.'Listen to a reflection for the First Sunday of Lent by the The Reverend Helena Bickley-Percival, Sacrist and Minor Canon at Westminster Abbey. Each week during Lent, the lectionary explores the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth from the perspective of the Gospel of John. One of the ways that John’s gospel identifies what Jesus is like is through his ‘I Am’ statements. From ‘I am the bread of life’ to ‘I am the Good Shepherd’, these seven statements help us learn who Jesus is, and what it means to follow Him as disciples. Our reflections will explore these statements throughout the forty days of this season

The Reverend James Hawkey explores the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus, and asks what we might lay at Christ's feet in this new year. This reflection for the Feast of the Epiphany is the last of a series of reflections from the seasons of Advent and Christmas. To explore other reflections from the season, visit our website at www.westminster-abbey.org/christmas/

Merry Christmas from Westminster Abbey! In this reflection, the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle explores the good news of Jesus' birth through the Gospel of John. Join us during the Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and remember what this gift means for us and the world today. This year, clergy from Westminster Abbey have explored the 'great and mighty wonder' of God's promise through Advent and into Christmas. You're invited to continue the journey with us as we celebrate Christ's coming, and make room for him in our hearts. Discover more resources from the Abbey for your faith journey at www.westminster-abbey.org/christmas/

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian at the Abbey, explores Mary's Magnificat and what her prophetic words tell us about the great and mighty wonder of God's love.Join us over the Advent season as we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ at Christmas. This year, clergy from Westminster Abbey explore the 'great and mighty wonder' of God's promise through the prophet Isaiah and the Gospels. You're invited to journey with us as we examine and reorient our lives in hope in this season, looking forward to the celebration of Christmas and awaiting Jesus' promised return. Discover more resources from the Abbey for your Advent journey at www.westminster-abbey.org/advent/

Listen as the Reverend Canon Mark Birch reflects on words from the Book of Isaiah, exploring how during Advent we look back at the life of Jesus and look forward to His coming again. Join us over the Advent season as we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ at Christmas. This year, clergy from Westminster Abbey explore the 'great and mighty wonder' of God's promise through the prophet Isaiah and the Gospels. You're invited to come along as we examine and reorient our lives with hope in this season, looking forward to the celebration of Christmas and awaiting Jesus' promised return. Discover more resources from the Abbey for your Advent journey at www.westminster-abbey.org/advent/

The Reverend Catherine Williams reflects on Jesus and Mary’s interaction at Bethany, as we move towards Holy Week and the events of Christ’s passion and death. We welcome Catherine Williams - an Anglican priest, spiritual director, and writer - as a guest contributor to our reflections throughout this season.Join us in the observance of the Lenten season, wherever you are, through online resources and streamed services. Find out more at: https://westminster-abbey.org/lent