Readings - Matthew 27
Listen to the readings by clicking on each player, or read online Matthew 27 (New International Version).
| 8 | Matthew 27: 1 – 2 and 27: 11 – 14 Jesus in interviewed by Pilate |
Read by Heather Madill (NRSV) |
| 9 | Matthew 27: 24 – 26 Pilate decides that Jesus should be crucified |
Read by Walter Nicholls. (NIV) |
| 10 | Matthew 27: 27 – 31 The soldiers mock Jesus |
Read by Helen Laurenson (NRSV) |
| 11 | Matthew 27: 32 – 50 Jesus dies |
Read by Sonia Faulkner (NRSV) |
| 12 | Matthew 27: 55 – 56 The presence of the women is noted. |
Read by Sheena Holding (NIV) |
Poem Easterings
Every hour of every day there are crucifixions,
the Christ on trial in someone, somewhere,
judged in fear, condemned in ignorance,
mocked and beaten, imprisoned, killed,
while we watch at the foot of the cross
or from three cock crows away, and ask,
“God, God, why have you forsaken them?”
The world is full of Good Fridays and Golgothas.
in the small arena of our lives,
there appears to be the same defeat of goodness
and it’s difficult to wear a bright smile
when the heart hangs heavy in the darkness
full of thorns and nails and swords.
Unable to see beyond dyings, we cry,
“God, God, why have you forsaken us?”
Then something happens. Easter Sunday happens.
this movement within, this turning, breaking,
this earthquake shift through the old fault line.
A cosmic birth happens, darkness to light,
God dancing on pierced feet to make celebration
of all our dyings, even the little ones,
so that we can see, this side of the tomb,
that there are no endings, only transformations,
as we grow towards the source of our being.
In that moment of knowing, we see all of life
wrapped in the wholeness of Easter,
and in awe we silently pray,
“God, God, you have never forsaken us.”
Joy Cowley © 2004
Psalms Down-under