0:00:03 > 0:00:06Cheltenham is a festival town.
0:00:06 > 0:00:07As well as racing,
0:00:07 > 0:00:11crowds are drawn to annual gatherings devoted to jazz,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14science, literature and the Greenbelt Christian Festival
0:00:14 > 0:00:20that also takes place on the town's famous racecourse.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25And 2000 years ago in Jerusalem, another festival crowd
0:00:25 > 0:00:29gathered - pilgrims preparing for the Jewish festival of Passover.
0:00:29 > 0:00:34As Jesus entered the city, people praised him by waving palm branches.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Today, our congregation in All Saints Church
0:00:39 > 0:00:44sing their Palm Sunday songs of praise and there's music from Libera,
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Mary Jess and Only Men Aloud,
0:00:47 > 0:00:50and the Bible's accounts of key moments from Jesus's last week
0:00:50 > 0:00:53are read by Julian Rhind-Tutt.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Jesus chose a humble mount
0:01:04 > 0:01:07when he rode into Jerusalem - a donkey.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09It didn't stop the people acclaiming him, though,
0:01:09 > 0:01:11as Mark's gospel describes.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14"They brought the colt to Jesus
0:01:14 > 0:01:16"and threw their cloaks on it,
0:01:16 > 0:01:18"and he sat on it.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21"Many people spread their cloaks on the road
0:01:21 > 0:01:25"and others spread leafy branches that they'd cut in the fields.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29"Then, those who went ahead and those who followed,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31"were shouting, 'Hosanna,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34"'blessed is the one who comes
0:01:34 > 0:01:36"'in the name of the Lord.'"
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Jesus's entry into Jerusalem was the first act
0:01:41 > 0:01:46in six days of drama that was to lead to his crucifixion.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50Our first hymn powerfully captures the scene on Palm Sunday
0:01:50 > 0:01:52and the contrast within it -
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Jesus's meekness and majesty,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58his impending suffering and glory.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50The days between that first Palm Sunday and Good Friday
0:03:50 > 0:03:53encompass friendship and betrayal,
0:03:53 > 0:03:55selfishness and service.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59One of the most powerful images is that of Jesus the master
0:03:59 > 0:04:01being a servant,
0:04:01 > 0:04:05washing the feet of his disciples at their last meal together.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11"After he had washed their feet and put on his robe
0:04:11 > 0:04:13"and had returned to the table,
0:04:13 > 0:04:18he said to them, "'If I, your Lord and teacher
0:04:18 > 0:04:20"'have washed your feet,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24"'you also ought to wash one another's feet,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27"'for I have set you an example
0:04:27 > 0:04:30"'that you also should do as I have done to you.'"
0:04:30 > 0:04:32WATER TRICKLES
0:04:32 > 0:04:37Jesus's example of service is one that continues to inspire people.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41In Cheltenham, Ben Lillie runs a project called The Rock,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44providing challenging activities for young people,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47from urban street sports to essential life skills.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52The Rock's, I guess, primary calling and purpose
0:04:52 > 0:04:56is to be a hands-and-feet ministry first and foremost.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59We come to serve and actually to kind of get down
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and into the mess of life with the people that we work with.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08We mainly work with young people, pre-16 mainly
0:05:08 > 0:05:12and demonstrating signs of behavioural issues or struggles
0:05:12 > 0:05:16and those who are actually already excluded from education.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19The young people that we work with, in many ways,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22are similar to those that Jesus worked and walked with in his day.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25The tax collectors of their day were rejected,
0:05:25 > 0:05:27and the hoodies of our day are rejected.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31That extraordinary model of Jesus kneeling down
0:05:31 > 0:05:33and washing his disciples' feet,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36his everyday, run-of-the-mill, from-the-street disciples,
0:05:36 > 0:05:40that inspires us to work with everyday, run-of-the-mill people
0:05:40 > 0:05:42who come into our building and we engage with.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45And actually the Bible was so clear when it said,
0:05:45 > 0:05:49"Go and do the same, I've given you an example - go and do the same."
0:08:49 > 0:08:54One of the times when Jesus most shows his human nature
0:08:54 > 0:08:56is in the Garden of Gethsemane.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Facing a cruel and painful death,
0:08:59 > 0:09:05he prays to his father that this cup of suffering be taken from him.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10They went to a place called Gethsemane.
0:09:10 > 0:09:16And he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."
0:09:16 > 0:09:20And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground
0:09:20 > 0:09:26and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
0:09:26 > 0:09:32He said, "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35"Remove this cup from me.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39"Yet not what I want, but what you want.
0:09:42 > 0:09:48Jesus's words reflect his trust in God in the direst circumstances.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Our next piece of music is also a prayer.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55It's written by a 19th century clergyman, George Croly.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58It too is a cry from the heart.
0:10:01 > 0:10:10# Spirit of God, descend upon my heart
0:10:10 > 0:10:20# Wean it from Earth, through all its pulses move
0:10:20 > 0:10:27# Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art
0:10:27 > 0:10:35# And make me love Thee as I ought to love
0:10:36 > 0:10:43# I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies
0:10:44 > 0:10:53# No sudden rending of the veil of clay
0:10:53 > 0:11:00# No angel visitant, no opening skies
0:11:00 > 0:11:08# But take the dimness of my soul away
0:11:19 > 0:11:26# Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love
0:11:26 > 0:11:35# One holy passion filling all my frame
0:11:35 > 0:11:42# The baptism of the heaven-descended dove
0:11:42 > 0:11:50# My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame
0:11:59 > 0:12:08# And Thy love the flame. #
0:12:12 > 0:12:15One of the most dramatic scenes of Holy Week takes place
0:12:15 > 0:12:17when Jesus is tried as a criminal
0:12:17 > 0:12:20in front of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate,
0:12:20 > 0:12:22and, though innocent, is found guilty.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Now the chief priests and the whole council
0:12:30 > 0:12:34were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37But they found none.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43This story of injustice still resonates today.
0:12:43 > 0:12:49In 2000, Sandi Ncube took part in peaceful protests
0:12:49 > 0:12:51against the government in her native Zimbabwe.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55..Are crushed and crushed fully.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59The Mugabe regime, it is very powerful.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02But our demonstrations were peaceful demonstrations
0:13:02 > 0:13:07but which were taken over by the local authority.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10And they responded through violence.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14They took me to the police station.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18We were beaten and, er... so many things happened.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20People lost their lives, some disappeared.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22We never knew where they went.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Well, I was...tortured,
0:13:27 > 0:13:33and...you know, horrible things happened as well.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39And...it was just horrible.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41I was in fear of my life.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46If you've never seen the other side of a human being
0:13:46 > 0:13:50turning out to be a... a vicious animal,
0:13:50 > 0:13:54then...you just...
0:13:54 > 0:13:57you just don't trust any more.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05I left Zimbabwe in August 2000, and I came here and seeked asylum.
0:14:05 > 0:14:11And I got my asylum status. I'm a recognised refugee now.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I've managed to make a life for myself here,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18but even though I'm still scared of the police
0:14:18 > 0:14:19when I see them in the street!
0:14:21 > 0:14:23I think it made me stronger in my faith,
0:14:23 > 0:14:28because whatever I did, I said, "This thing has to happen for a reason."
0:14:28 > 0:14:31I suppose God has the answers for everything,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34and I just put everything in God's hands.
0:14:34 > 0:14:40And maybe that made me get to this stage where I am today.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44I felt safe here,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47and I just thank God every day, to be honest, every day.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50Even if I don't say it loud and say, "Thank God,"
0:14:50 > 0:14:54I just believe God is there.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01# How great a being
0:15:01 > 0:15:08# Which doth all beings keep
0:15:11 > 0:15:15# Thy knowledge, the only line
0:15:15 > 0:15:21# To sound so vast a deep
0:15:22 > 0:15:29# Thou art a sea without a shore
0:15:29 > 0:15:35# A sun without a sphere
0:15:35 > 0:15:41# Thy time is now and evermore
0:15:41 > 0:15:50# Thy place is everywhere
0:15:50 > 0:15:57# How shall I sing that majesty
0:15:57 > 0:16:03# Which angels do admire?
0:16:03 > 0:16:06# Let dust in dust
0:16:06 > 0:16:09# And silence lie
0:16:09 > 0:16:18# Sing, sing ye heavenly choir
0:16:18 > 0:16:25# Thou art a sea without a shore
0:16:25 > 0:16:31# A sun without a sphere
0:16:31 > 0:16:38# Thy time is now and evermore
0:16:38 > 0:16:46# Thy place is everywhere
0:16:46 > 0:16:53# How shall I sing that majesty
0:16:53 > 0:16:59# Which angels do admire?
0:16:59 > 0:17:02# Let dust in dust
0:17:02 > 0:17:05# And silence lie
0:17:05 > 0:17:19# Sing, sing ye heavenly choir. #
0:17:26 > 0:17:27The first thing you see
0:17:27 > 0:17:30as you approach All Saints' Church from Cheltenham town centre
0:17:30 > 0:17:31is the Calvary,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34erected in memory of the men from the parish
0:17:34 > 0:17:36who fell in the First World War.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41The image of Jesus, an innocent man tortured to death
0:17:41 > 0:17:45is at the heart of much Christian art and music.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Johann Sebastian Bach's Passion Chorale
0:17:48 > 0:17:52depicts the scene in all its darkness.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40"When they came to the place that is called the Skull...
0:20:41 > 0:20:44"..they crucified Jesus there with the criminals.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48"One on his right and one on his left.
0:20:49 > 0:20:50"Then Jesus said,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53"'Father, forgive them
0:20:53 > 0:20:57"'for they do not know what they are doing.'"
0:20:58 > 0:21:03Jesus forgave immediately, but for most of us the road to forgiveness -
0:21:03 > 0:21:09if we are able to walk along it at all - is a long and painful one.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14In 2001, Ray and Vi Donovan's 18-year-old son Chris
0:21:14 > 0:21:18was murdered in a random attack by a group of youths.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Well, initially, when we were in the hospital
0:21:22 > 0:21:24and they came and told us he'd died,
0:21:24 > 0:21:25I was so angry.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28I was so full of rage.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30I could feel it coming up inside of me.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32It felt as if I was totally out of control and...
0:21:32 > 0:21:35it really wasn't me.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39We got in the car to come home -
0:21:39 > 0:21:41it was in the early hours of the morning -
0:21:41 > 0:21:43and Ray looked at me and said,
0:21:43 > 0:21:47"Vi, as Christians we are going to have to forgive the boys that did this."
0:21:48 > 0:21:52I just went absolutely angry at him, I just screamed at him.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54I said, "I'm not doing that!"
0:21:54 > 0:22:00How did you move from all that anger to forgiveness?
0:22:00 > 0:22:05I went to the court a year later and when I saw the families,
0:22:05 > 0:22:09when I saw the families and realising that everybody's losing here,
0:22:09 > 0:22:13the families of the boys that killed Chris, everybody lost something.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17I lost my son but they really have lost their son somehow,
0:22:17 > 0:22:18haven't they?
0:22:18 > 0:22:20They may get him back physically one day,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23but it will never be the same for them.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28The compassion began to come back into me. God's compassion for them.
0:22:31 > 0:22:32We have a choice.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34You see, I realised later
0:22:34 > 0:22:38that all of my anger was like having a cup of poison
0:22:38 > 0:22:44and I was drinking it and they weren't feeling it, I was.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46It was destroying me, who I was,
0:22:46 > 0:22:50and Chris wouldn't have wanted that, for me.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53So I decide to choose to forgive.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58What happened when you met one of your son's killers?
0:22:58 > 0:23:02I began to look at him in a closer way and when I met him,
0:23:02 > 0:23:04when I walked in that room...
0:23:04 > 0:23:07I was able to tell him that I forgive him.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09I was able to hug him.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14That's remarkable love. Not my kind of love, it wasn't my kind of love.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18I probably would have punched him in the face but...
0:23:18 > 0:23:23God's love inside of you is so overwhelming
0:23:23 > 0:23:26that you can't help but want to give it out.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28I felt compassion for him.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31He was 15 when he went in prison, he is now 25.
0:23:33 > 0:23:34And a man.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36When I heard him say, "I'm sorry,"
0:23:36 > 0:23:39when I heard him say, "I was a coward,"
0:23:39 > 0:23:41when I heard the truth...
0:23:42 > 0:23:45..which is all I ever wanted,
0:23:45 > 0:23:46I just wanted to hug him.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48He's just a boy.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51He could have been my son.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39"Standing near the cross of Jesus,
0:26:39 > 0:26:42"were his mother and his mother's sister,
0:26:42 > 0:26:47"Mary, the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene."
0:26:51 > 0:26:53It must have been the most horrendous thing
0:26:53 > 0:26:56to just sit there and be helpless
0:26:56 > 0:26:58and just watch your son die in front of you.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01It must be the most horrendous thing.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03The pain she would have gone through
0:27:03 > 0:27:07is quite overwhelming to even imagine...
0:27:09 > 0:27:12..but I kind of feel and identify with that now.
0:27:12 > 0:27:13That kind of pain.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16I try not to dwell on it so much
0:27:16 > 0:27:19because it's not a good place to be in.
0:27:19 > 0:27:24I try and use it in a very good way, rather than a negative way,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27cos everything about this situation is negative
0:27:27 > 0:27:29and I'm sure it was true for Mary.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31Everything about it was so negative.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35She was helpless in this situation and...
0:27:37 > 0:27:38..I used it in a positive way.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46If ever an image showed a woman consumed by sorrow,
0:27:46 > 0:27:49it's the depiction of Mary, cradling her dead son
0:27:49 > 0:27:53and it's still a symbol of grief today.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Our next performance
0:27:55 > 0:27:58is one of the most beautiful pieces of music about Mary.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01It's often used as a funeral anthem.
0:28:03 > 0:28:15# Ave Maria
0:28:15 > 0:28:22# Gratia plena
0:28:22 > 0:28:31# Maria Gratia plena
0:28:31 > 0:28:39# Maria Gratia plena
0:28:39 > 0:28:46# Ave, ave dominus
0:28:46 > 0:28:52# Dominus tecum
0:28:52 > 0:28:59# Benedicta tu in mulieribus
0:28:59 > 0:29:08# Et benedictus
0:29:08 > 0:29:15# Et benedictus fructus ventris
0:29:15 > 0:29:25# Ventris tui Jesus
0:29:25 > 0:29:38# Ave Maria. #
0:30:03 > 0:30:07Christ crucified to draw you to himself.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10To find in him a sure ground for faith,
0:30:10 > 0:30:12a firm support for hope
0:30:12 > 0:30:16and the assurance of sins forgiven.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father,
0:30:19 > 0:30:22the Son and the Holy Spirit
0:30:22 > 0:30:25be upon you and remain with you always.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27- Amen.- Amen.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31Our final hymn is from the poem
0:30:31 > 0:30:33The Dream of Gerontius by Cardinal Newman.
0:30:33 > 0:30:38It traces the journey of the soul of an aged monk beyond death
0:30:38 > 0:30:40into Christ's presence.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42"View death confidently," it says,
0:30:42 > 0:30:47"in the light of the salvation brought by Christ."
0:33:30 > 0:33:33Next week, for Easter Sunday,
0:33:33 > 0:33:37Aled is in Portsmouth for a special celebration from St Mary's Church
0:33:37 > 0:33:39with glorious Easter hymns,
0:33:39 > 0:33:42festive readings and guest singers
0:33:42 > 0:33:46Paul Jones, Ramin Karimloo and Laura Wright.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd