The Military Prison was built in 1842 for defaulting soldiers from the garrison, for offences such as 'drunk on guard'. In the 1880s it was extended, increasing the number of cells from 12 to 16, providing separate ablution blocks, and rooms for the provost marshal, the officer in charge. The prison was a miniature version of the great civilian prisons of the day, such as Barlinnie in Glasgow. The prisoners were held in solitary confinement, and compelled to do four hours of hard punishment a day - such as working a treadmill, a machine not unlike an exercise bike.
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. (Mark 1:9-13)
Let us now join in singing a traditional Lenten hymn.
Forty days and forty nights
Thou wast fasting in the wild;
Forty days and forty nights
Tempted, and yet undefiled.
Sunbeams scorching all the day;
Chilly dew-drops nightly shed;
Prowling beasts about Thy way;
Stones Thy pillow; earth Thy bed.
Should not we Thy sorrow share
And from worldly joys abstain,
Fasting with unceasing prayer,
Strong with Thee to suffer pain?
Then if Satan on us press,
Jesus, Saviour, hear our call!
Victor in the wilderness,
Grant we may not faint nor fall!
So shall we have peace divine:
Holier gladness ours shall be;
Round us, too, shall angels shine,
Such as ministered to Thee.
Keep, O keep us, Saviour dear,
Ever constant by Thy side;
That with Thee we may appear
At the eternal Eastertide.
Happy Feast!
1 comment:
And to you too Peter!
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