Dear All,
I’d like to share some thoughtful and challenging words with you written by Fr Richard Rohr, the Catholic priest and writer:
Christianity is a lifestyle—a way of being in the world that is simple, non-violent, shared, and loving. However, we made it into an established “religion” (and all that goes with that) and avoided the lifestyle change itself. One could be warlike, greedy, racist, selfish, and vain in most of Christian history, and still believe that Jesus is one’s “personal Lord and Saviour”… The world has no time for such silliness anymore. The suffering on Earth is too great.”
For me, this is a fitting thought that is worthy of reflection as we move into the season of Lent during March. With Lent coming, some of us might now be deliberating over what it is we are going to give up as part of our journey through this season. For others, this tradition may not be one we personally follow. Either way, I wish you well for this coming season of Lent and I am certain that we will all remain committed to truly following in the way of Jesus our Lord and to being those who maintain an open and embracing approach to challenge and change within our lives.
During this Lent, let us find time for God in some way and for regaining our sense of mystery and wonder. God is always with us and our journey through Lent is an opportunity for us to be open to the divine and this will always draw us onwards in our discipleship. Let us seek, find, create spaces and opportunities during this season of Lent to draw close to God, to lay down all that hinders us from living in him and then to find ourselves once again astounded by the love and grace of God. And in this unfathomable love, we cannot then but give ourselves to serve others, as we are able, and to share God’s redeeming and transforming love, justice and peace with a suffering Earth.
With much love,
An Affirmation for Lent:
We believe and trust in God who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus - the word made flesh - to reconcile and make new, and who works in us and others by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We are called to be the church: to celebrate God's presence, to live with respect for creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and hope.
In life and death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
A blessing for Lent:
Now may God, who gives seed to the sower and grain to the reaper, provide all that we need so that we may produce a rich harvest of faith, love, justice and joy for the good of the earth and its people, and to the glory of God. Amen.
© The Iona Community - Iona Abbey Worship Book