:00:19. > :00:22.Welcome to St Albans, and thank you for being part
:00:23. > :00:29.This is the oldest continuous Christian site of Christian worship
:00:30. > :00:41.Alban was martyred here in the year 303, and pilgrims have
:00:42. > :00:45.It is also, by the way, the place the hot cross bun
:00:46. > :00:48.was invented, to feed hungry pilgrims in Holy Week.
:00:49. > :00:50.So today you're a pilgrim too; and together we are doing
:00:51. > :00:58.We are celebrating the Eucharist to know that the Risen Christ,
:00:59. > :01:01.with Alban and all his saints, is alive and present now,
:01:02. > :01:03.and shares with us his gift of eternal life.
:01:04. > :05:05.BISHOP: In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
:05:06. > :05:09.BISHOP: Grace, mercy and peace be with you.
:05:10. > :05:40.We recall how Jesus comes to reach of us, to welcome us and invite us
:05:41. > :05:44.to become part of his continuing story, and looking forward to that
:05:45. > :05:47.time when we will all share in the eternal banquet of God's Kingdom. So
:05:48. > :06:00.we prepare ourselves to come to God Let us therefore rejoice by putting
:06:01. > :06:03.away all malice and evil and confessing our sins
:06:04. > :06:07.with a sincere and true heart. ALL: Almighty God, our heavenly
:06:08. > :06:15.Father, we have sinned and deed - through negligence,
:06:16. > :07:50.through weakness, through our Lord of all life and power,
:07:51. > :10:21.who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order
:10:22. > :10:24.of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we,
:10:25. > :10:27.being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
:10:28. > :10:33.may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
:10:34. > :10:36.be praise and honour, glory and might, now
:10:37. > :10:41.and in all eternity. a reading from the first letter of
:10:42. > :11:22.Saint Paul to the Corinthians. But someone will ask,
:11:23. > :11:24.'How are the dead raised? With what kind of body
:11:25. > :11:26.do they come?' Fool! What you sow does not come
:11:27. > :11:29.to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow,
:11:30. > :11:32.you do not sow the body that is to be, but a bare
:11:33. > :11:34.seed, perhaps of wheat But God gives it a body as he has
:11:35. > :11:41.chosen, and to each kind So it is with the resurrection
:11:42. > :11:51.of the dead. What is sown is perishable,
:11:52. > :11:53.what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonour,
:11:54. > :12:04.it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness,
:12:05. > :12:09.it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body,
:12:10. > :12:15.it is raised a spiritual body. For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth
:12:16. > :13:28.Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah For the Lord God
:13:29. > :13:38.omnipotent reigneth # Hallelujah Hallelujah
:13:39. > :14:06.# Hallelujah Hallelujah # Forever and ever
:14:07. > :15:08.and ever # And He shall reign forever
:15:09. > :15:42.and ever # And He shall reign forever
:15:43. > :16:19.and ever # And He shall reign forever
:16:20. > :16:49.DEACON: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
:16:50. > :17:07.DEACON: Mary stood weeping outside the tomb.
:17:08. > :17:19.As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two
:17:20. > :17:23.They said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?'
:17:24. > :17:27.She said to them, 'They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know
:17:28. > :17:34.she turned round and saw Jesus standing there,
:17:35. > :17:37.but she did not know that it was Jesus.
:17:38. > :17:42.Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?
:17:43. > :17:51.she said to him, 'Sir, if you have carried him away,
:17:52. > :17:57.tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.'
:17:58. > :18:04.She turned and said to him in Hebrew, 'Rabbouni!'
:18:05. > :18:12.Jesus said to her, 'Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet
:18:13. > :18:18.But go to my brothers and say to them, "I am ascending
:18:19. > :18:22.to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."'
:18:23. > :18:27.Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen
:18:28. > :18:30.the Lord' - and she told them that he had said these
:18:31. > :18:56.ALL (SING): Praise to you, O Christ.
:18:57. > :19:06.In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
:19:07. > :19:10.There's an American company, with agents in the UK,
:19:11. > :19:22.which offers to sell you immortality by freezing your body after death.
:19:23. > :19:28.Around ?100,000 they promise to get to you within a couple of hours
:19:29. > :19:35.with ice packs and big syringes full of preservative chemicals.
:19:36. > :19:38.Then they'll put you on the first plane to their headquarters
:19:39. > :19:41.in the USA, where you'll be drained of blood,
:19:42. > :19:42.filled with glycerol, and hung upside down
:19:43. > :19:56.This is done in the hope that whatever you die of will be curable
:19:57. > :19:59.in the future, or even that one day old age and dying
:20:00. > :20:06.So in the year 2050 or whenever, some scientist will pop you out
:20:07. > :20:12.of your personal fridge and bring you back to supposdly endless life.
:20:13. > :20:22.There is also a half-price option of getting just your head frozen
:20:23. > :20:26.and flown to the USA on the assumption that when it's
:20:27. > :20:32.defrosted it can be put onto a brand new body.
:20:33. > :20:35.Sometimes the cryonics process has been referred to as 'resurrection'.
:20:36. > :20:41.Even if it worked, it's not resurrection -
:20:42. > :20:49.When Christians talk about resurrection we don't just
:20:50. > :20:53.mean prolonging the sort of life we have now,
:20:54. > :20:58.I wouldn't want this one back anyway.
:20:59. > :21:01.It's true that reading some of the Gospel accounts you might be
:21:02. > :21:03.misled into thinking that the resurrection body is just
:21:04. > :21:12.Clearly the Risen Christ did appear in bodily form.
:21:13. > :21:15.Both Luke and John say he ate food, and the disciples were able
:21:16. > :21:21.Yet at the same time the Gospels also say he could pass
:21:22. > :21:31.When he walked with the disciples on the Emmaus Road, they didn't
:21:32. > :21:37.recognise him until he opened their eyes.
:21:38. > :21:39.Mary Magdalene too doesn't recognize him at first,
:21:40. > :21:42.and when she does, Jesus tells her not to hold him
:21:43. > :21:46.because he is about to ascend to the Father.
:21:47. > :21:57.So Jesus certainly survived death and is objectively there.
:21:58. > :22:00.But the Gospels are much less clear about the exact way in which he's
:22:01. > :22:06.He's present, but in a different way of being -
:22:07. > :22:08.one that we may or may not recognise, depending
:22:09. > :22:15.It's really St Paul who tackles head-on this question of how
:22:16. > :22:22.In his first letter to the Corinthians he mentions
:22:23. > :22:25.that they had asked him exactly that question: "How are the dead
:22:26. > :22:34.In reply Paul tells them straight that of course the resurrection life
:22:35. > :22:43."Flesh and blood do not inherit the kingdom of God", he says.
:22:44. > :22:53.But that doesn't mean it's unreal, or that it's just a metapor,
:22:54. > :22:59.We'll still have real, objective existence,
:23:00. > :23:02.and we'll still be ourselves - in fact we'll be much more
:23:03. > :23:04.wonderfully ourselves, since we won't be tied
:23:05. > :23:10.Paul says the dead body is like a seed which is buried
:23:11. > :23:17.But then, by God's power, it's changed;
:23:18. > :23:21.it springs into life and becomes a plant,
:23:22. > :23:25.which is infinitely more glorious than the seed was,
:23:26. > :23:32.and yet, it has miraculously developed out of it.
:23:33. > :23:36.So, Paul says, our earthly existance will also be changed into
:23:37. > :23:39.an unimaginably fuller existence in the Spirit.
:23:40. > :23:56.We won't be absorbed into undifferentiated
:23:57. > :23:57.being, like the Buddist idea of Nirvana.
:23:58. > :24:00.We'll be the persons we are now, but perfected and united
:24:01. > :24:04.with the union of persons in love which is God the Trinity.
:24:05. > :24:09.To take another example that both Jesus and Paul use,
:24:10. > :24:17.think of the way we came into the world in the first place.
:24:18. > :24:20.When we were a baby in the womb, being born must have felt
:24:21. > :24:23.like dying, and a very violent death at that.
:24:24. > :24:26.After nine months of being cosy and peaceful inside our mothers,
:24:27. > :24:28.suddenly all our life supports were torn away,
:24:29. > :24:32.and we were shoved out of the only existence we knew,
:24:33. > :24:34.with no idea that this trauma was actually the start
:24:35. > :24:47.Yet even while we were in the womb we were forming all the faculties
:24:48. > :24:51.we would need for that new life - lungs to breathe and eyes to see
:24:52. > :24:59.We couldn't have imagined our new world, even though
:25:00. > :25:02.we were preparing for it, and the cost of entering
:25:03. > :25:08.Well, if that's how it was for us at the beginning, why not
:25:09. > :25:16.Even after being born, there are still more deaths.
:25:17. > :25:22.We have to die to childhood, or else remain infantile.
:25:23. > :25:25.We have to leave home and family behind, to form adult relationships
:25:26. > :25:34.Even in small things, like changing jobs or moving house,
:25:35. > :25:42.there is always that wrench from the past, that
:25:43. > :25:45.that terror of the future, which seems to be the condition
:25:46. > :25:47.of entering the new and fuller life.
:25:48. > :25:57.All along the way we have to learn to let go.
:25:58. > :25:59.That's really what those poor corpses in the cryonics
:26:00. > :26:05.They wanted to stay on here, with the world they knew
:26:06. > :26:06.and the kind of life they understood.
:26:07. > :26:12.You might as well try to crawl back into the womb, just as Nicodemus
:26:13. > :26:14.thought, when Jesus told him, "You must be born again".
:26:15. > :26:30.And rebirth through death is the pattern of all our moving on,
:26:31. > :26:32.from the very start to the very end.
:26:33. > :26:36.Jesus himself didn't cheat it, he really died, and in the normal
:26:37. > :26:43.human way, with real pain and real fear.
:26:44. > :26:45.But becasue he came through the other side of death,
:26:46. > :26:57.we can trust that for us too it won't be the end,
:26:58. > :27:00.but only the last of so many letting-goes -
:27:01. > :27:02.our last Good Friday, before our own Easter Day.
:27:03. > :27:35.ALL: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
:27:36. > :27:39.maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
:27:40. > :27:43.We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
:27:44. > :27:47.eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light,
:27:48. > :27:50.true God from true God, begotten not made, of one
:27:51. > :29:11.Being with the Father - through him all things were made.
:29:12. > :29:22.BISHOP: In joy and hope, let us pray to the Father.
:29:23. > :29:25.STEPHEN DE SILVA: Most Glorious Lord of Life, you reveal your love
:29:26. > :29:31.for the world in your Son's triumph over death and sin,
:29:32. > :29:35.Hear us as we seek to share that love with all whom we meet.
:29:36. > :29:38.Let us love each other as we ought; Love is the lesson
:29:39. > :29:53.STEPHEN DE SILVA: Jesus is Lord of every time and place,
:29:54. > :30:04.we pray for the Church throughout this land and throughout the world,
:30:05. > :30:07.especially for Alan, our Bishop, and his priests and deacons;
:30:08. > :30:10.we rejoice with all the people baptised and confrimed this Easter.
:30:11. > :30:16.Lord in your mercy... ALL: Hear our Prayer.
:30:17. > :30:18.STEPHEN DE SILVA: Jesus the King of Righteousness is enthroned
:30:19. > :30:21.at your right hand; bring your peace and justic
:30:22. > :30:40.Bless Elizabeth our Queen and all who serve in her name.
:30:41. > :30:52.We hold in our prayers those who are persecuted for their belief. We pray
:30:53. > :31:14.for the people of Brussels. Holding your loving hands everyone
:31:15. > :31:23.who has died, trusting your prophecies. Comfort all who mourn
:31:24. > :31:32.and remember. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
:31:33. > :31:34.We join our prayers with those of Blessed Mary, Alban
:31:35. > :31:36.and all the Saints by asking: Merciful Father...
:31:37. > :31:39.ALL: Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our saviour
:31:40. > :31:50.BISHOP: The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples
:31:51. > :31:52.and said, 'Peace be with you.' Then were they glad
:31:53. > :32:06.The peace of the Lord be always with you.
:32:07. > :36:22.BISHOP: Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
:36:23. > :36:52.Lord Jesus Christ, make yourself known in the breaking of bread.
:36:53. > :37:17.# Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. It is our duty and joy to
:37:18. > :37:21.give you thanks, our mighty Father, and to celebrate with joyful heart
:37:22. > :37:26.the memory of your wonderful works. For, by the mystery of his passion,
:37:27. > :37:31.Jesus Christ you're risen son has conquered the powers of death and
:37:32. > :37:36.hell and restored in men and women in the image of your glory. Please
:37:37. > :37:42.place them once more in paradise and open to them the gate of life
:37:43. > :37:48.eternal. And so in the joy of this Passover, earth and heaven resound
:37:49. > :37:53.with gladness. Angels and all the power of creation sing for ever the
:37:54. > :38:27.hymn of your glory. # Sanctus, Sanctus,
:38:28. > :38:34.Sanctus # Pleni sunt caeli
:38:35. > :39:16.et terra gloria tua. # Benedictus qui venit
:39:17. > :40:34.in nomine Domini BISHOP: Accept our praises,
:40:35. > :40:58.heavenly Father, through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
:40:59. > :41:01.and as we follow his example and obey his command,
:41:02. > :41:06.grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit these gifts
:41:07. > :41:10.of bread and wine may be to us his body and his blood;
:41:11. > :41:14.who, in the same night that he was betrayed,
:41:15. > :41:16.took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave
:41:17. > :41:21.it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body
:41:22. > :41:24.which is given for you; do this In the same way, after supper
:41:25. > :41:47.he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them,
:41:48. > :41:51.saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
:41:52. > :41:54.which is shed for you and for many Do this, as often as you drink it,
:41:55. > :42:12.in remembrance of me. Therefore, heavenly Father,
:42:13. > :42:15.we remember his offering of himself made once for all upon the cross;
:42:16. > :42:17.we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; we look
:42:18. > :42:22.for the coming of your kingdom, and with this bread and this cup
:42:23. > :42:25.we make the memorial BISHOP: Great is the mystery
:42:26. > :42:36.of faith. BISHOP: Accept through him,
:42:37. > :42:47.our great high priest, this, our sacrifice of thanks
:42:48. > :42:50.and praise, and as we eat and drink these holy gifts in the presence
:42:51. > :42:52.of your divine majesty, renew us by your Spirit,
:42:53. > :42:55.inspire us with your love and unite us in the body of your Son,
:42:56. > :43:03.Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him, and with him,
:43:04. > :43:06.and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
:43:07. > :43:09.with all who stand before you in Earth and heaven,
:43:10. > :43:11.we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise:
:43:12. > :43:16.Blessing and honour and glory BISHOP: Rejoicing in God's
:43:17. > :43:43.new creation, let us pray with confidence as our
:43:44. > :43:46.Saviour has taught us. ALL: Our Father, who art in heaven
:43:47. > :43:52.hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done
:43:53. > :43:56.on earth as it is in heaven. We break this bread to share in the
:43:57. > :44:33.body of Christ. ALL: Though we are many, we are one
:44:34. > :44:36.body, because we all share BISHOP: Christ our Passover
:44:37. > :44:40.is sacrificed for us. ALL: Therefore let
:44:41. > :44:44.us keep the feast. qui tollis peccata
:44:45. > :45:40.mundi, qui tollis peccata
:45:41. > :46:46.mundi, qui tollis peccata
:46:47. > :47:42.mundi, # veniunt ad monumentum
:47:43. > :50:37.orto iam sole. God of Life, who for our redemption
:50:38. > :53:03.gave your only begotten Son to the death of the cross,
:53:04. > :53:06.and by his glorious resurrection have delivered us from the power
:53:07. > :53:13.of our enemy: grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may ever more
:53:14. > :53:16.live with him in the joy BISHOP: God the Father,
:53:17. > :53:34.by whose love Christ was raised from the dead, open
:53:35. > :53:39.to you who believe the gates God the Son, who in bursting
:53:40. > :53:47.from the grave has won a glorious victory, give you joy
:53:48. > :53:49.as you share the Easter faith. BISHOP: God the Holy Spirit,
:53:50. > :53:57.who filled the disciples with the life of the Risen Lord,
:53:58. > :54:00.empower you and fill BISHOP: And the blessing of God
:54:01. > :54:05.almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
:54:06. > :54:07.be among you and remain DEACON (SINGS): Go in
:54:08. > :54:19.the peace of Christ. ALL: Thanks be to God -
:54:20. > :58:37.Alleluia, alleluia. ..and that's what
:58:38. > :58:39.she felt with the blues. Most people can be oblivious
:58:40. > :58:45.to what's going on around them, I have been around for all the stuff
:58:46. > :58:54.that you would call "history" - Cavaliers and Roundheads,
:58:55. > :58:58.Henry VIII, 1066, before that. spurring each other on to
:58:59. > :59:02.greatness... Yeah. They do feel present,
:59:03. > :59:06.don't they? Yeah. There is a spirit of
:59:07. > :59:09.the Brontes' past, somehow.