A reflection for Passiontide

The Revd Canon Aidan Platten, Norwich Cathedral's Canon Precentor, shares a reflection for Passiontide from the belfry at Norwich Cathedral.

Watch the video message above and read the full text below.

"The Gospel according to St John has three words of invitation used at several points through it, simply, come and see.

John the Baptist proclaims Jesus as the Lamb of God, as the One who will take away the sins of the world through His own sacrifice.

When the disciples see Jesus, they ask Him, 'where are you staying?' And He says, 'come and see.'

I'm speaking to you from the belfry in Norwich Cathedral, a bit of the Cathedral rarely seen.

And behind me are five bells, four of the five have since medieval times called the people of Norwich to come and see what's happening at the Cathedral. They strike the hours and the quarters through the day.

We're just entering that period towards the end of Lent and just before Easter called Passiontide, the moment when we most intensely focus on the Passion of Jesus at the cross of Calvary.

We know that on the other side of that is the celebration of Easter, the great celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. It is wonderful to have that good news ahead of us all the time to carry us through this journey to the Cross.

On Easter Eve, these bells will strike up as they play their carillon for the first time since before Lent began. At about 9 o'clock on Easter Eve, the bells will ring and the Cathedral organ will play at its maximum volume to celebrate the coming of Jesus from out from the Tomb.

So, if you hear these bells at about 9 o'clock on Easter Eve, they are saying to you, come and see.

The invitation is for one and for all, as in this troubled world, we search for good news and for hope.