The inspiration for this series of reflections initially came from Tim O Brien's collection of short stories reflecting on his time in Vietnam called The Things They Carried. In these stories we don't just hear about the physical things that the soldiers carry, but also their terrors and dreams. The author has taken this idea and applied it to the Passion, focussing on the things that Jesus carried: not just the cross itself, but the crown of thorns he was forced to wear, the seamless robe that was taken from him, the other burdens that we laid upon him, and also the hopes and fears that he carried in his heart and that are reflected in the different passion narratives. The idea was further developed for the 2006 Good Friday 'Three Hours' service at St Paul's Cathedral and it is these reflections that have now been expanded and developed into this book. Suitable for Lenten study, either for groups or individuals, the engagingly written meditations will have a life beyond Lent and will bear repeated reading.

Stephen Cottrell

Cover

About the author

Title page

Copyright

Dedication

Isaiah 53.4

Introduction

1. The cross

2. A crown of thorns

3. A seamless robe

4. His followers’ disappointments

5. The hopes of God

6. The sins of the world

7. Our sorrows

8. A broken heart

A prayer

Cottrell, Stephen

__Stephen Cottrell brings home, vividly and poignantly, the physical reality of the passion story.__

The narrative of Holy Week is powerful and painful, and because we know how the story ends it's easy to gloss over the difficult details, and stay in the comfort zone of our understanding. The Things He Carried is a book to stimulate thought, provoke discussion and create space for contemplation.

'In order to understand the cross you need to stand under it . . . with the imagination as well as the mind... This book aims to help in that process... But however you use it – on your own or with others - I hope you will receive some small appreciation of just how much the cross weighs, and maybe even pick it up yourself.'

From the Introduction

Focusses on the things that Jesus carried: not just the cross itself, but the crown of thorns he was forced to wear, the seamless robe that was taken from him, the other burdens that we laid upon him, and also the hopes and fears that he carried in his heart and that are reflected in the different passion narratives.

The inspiration for this series of reflections initially came from Tim O Brien's collection of short stories reflecting on his time in Vietnam called "The Things They Carried". In these stories we don't just hear about the physical things that the soldiers carry, but also their terrors and dreams.The author has taken this idea and applied it to the 'Passion', focussing on the things that Jesus carried: not just the cross itself, but the crown of thorns he was forced to wear, the seamless robe that was taken from him, the other burdens that we laid upon him, and also the hopes and fears that he carried in his heart and that are reflected in the different passion narratives.The idea was further developed for the 2006 Good Friday 'Three Hours' service at St Paul's Cathedral and it is these reflections that have now been expanded and developed into this book.Suitable for Lenten study, either for groups or individuals, the engagingly written meditations will have a life beyond Lent and will bear repeated reading.

Stephen Cottrell is Bishop of Reading, and a key author of the Emmaus series. Born and brought up in Essex, before ordination he lived in South London, working in the film industry, and for a year at St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham. Alongside his contributions to the Emmaus: Way of Faith series, he also authored the Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book 2004, I Thirst. Formerly Canon Residentiary at Peterborough Cathedral, he took on the Reading episcopacy in May 2004.

\["For reading during Lent and Holy Week","Stephen Cottrell focuses on the physical reality of the Easter story","Through this guide you'll feel the weight of what Christ sacrificed"\]

By focusing on the physical reality of what Jesus endured in Holy Week, Stephen Cottrell brings a unique weight and intensity to the events of Easter.

The Good Book Stall

A beautifully intelligent, simple and easy to read and understand book, covering the story we think we all know, but in fact gloss over, the poignant and physical reality of the crucifixion.  
It brings home that we are all still crucifying Jesus to-day.  
A book that you can read and re-read time and time again; that makes you realise just what it all entailed. Why not find out just what the cross weighed and what it means to you.  
Equally good for a Lent study group or individual use

The Things He Carried

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The Things He Carried

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