Life-giving darkness Start of Lent – Weekend Reading Matthew 26.36-38 You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. You make darkness, and it is night, when all the animals of the forest come creeping out. The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they withdraw and lie down in their dens. People go out to their work and to their labour until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Reflection Psalm 104 celebrates the wonders of God’s world and praises God’s wisdom in creating and ordering all things – including darkness. As Selina Stone writes in Tarry Awhile, “Those of us who ever grew watercress at school will remember that it is in the darkness that particular forms of plant life grow … It is in the darkness that we rest, our bodies recharge and our brains restore themselves … Darkness is crucial to the development of particular species, which need space to hide away and hibernate. It is especially important for the young of various mammals (including humans) who grow in the darkness of the womb. “Darkness … is the exciting starting point of creation … It is like a stage curtain, keeping things hidden until the appropriate time. Darkness … is full of potential, expectation and anticipation. ” Watch Look out for examples of God moving in darkness to bring life and growth. ...and pray in the words of Psalm 104: "O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all ..." Copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2024.
God in darknessStart of Lent – FridayReadingMatthew 26.36-38In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.ReflectionThere is a long and unfortunate convention – in the Christian tradition and far beyond it – of associating darkness and hiddenness only with evil, fear and danger. Simplistic notions that light exclusively represents truth, holiness, goodness, and godliness – and darkness always their opposites – limit the wonderful ways in which we can encounter the beauty and majesty of God across the diversity of our world.At the start of Lent Christians often revisit the stories of God creating human beings “from the dust of the earth”. Today’s reading takes us back even further, to when – from “the formless void” – first the heavens and the earth are created, followed by human beings and all other creatures. This great work of God begins in the hidden and the unfathomable. Far from being bad, darkness is where God’s most mighty work is done.WatchBe open today to seeing darkness as somewhere God is at work....and prayThat you might discover God in new and unfamiliar places this Lent.Copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2024.
ReadingMatthew 26.36-38And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’ Reflection Yesterday we explored the Black spiritual practice of “tarrying” (waiting) as a community to draw closer to Jesus and to each other. Combining exuberant singing, fervent prayer and quiet lament, such services typically take place at night and can last for several hours. Such “tarrying” services are rooted in today’s Gospel reading of the night of Jesus’ arrest, when he asks his sleepy disciples, “So, could you not keep awake [or “tarry” in older translations] with me for one hour?” “Tarrying” seeks to offer an undeniable “yes”. Through this practice, the faithful are able to write a new story. Rather than leaving Jesus lonely in his time of longing for spiritual companionship, he is met in the tarrying moment with a whole host of friends to accompany him. We are all called to “tarry” – watching and praying – with Jesus this Lent. Watch Re-read Jesus' request of his disciples today - and notice how you respond to it. ...and pray for all who are suffering alone, that they may be accompanied. Copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2024.
Start of Lent: Waiting in darkness Watch and Pray invites us all to wait expectantly for God this Lent, and to draw on Black Spirituality in search of new wisdom and hope even in times of struggle and trial. We begin the journey waiting with – and searching for – God in darkness. Prayer for the Week Lord, grant us the faith to wait together in darkness and uncertainty – for it is there we will find you. May we come to know you this Lent in ways we have not yet discovered or even imagined. Amen. Waiting with Jesus Start of Lent - Ash Wednesday Access an audio version of this reflection via our free app for Apple and Android devices. Reading Matthew 26.36-38 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ Reflection Watch and Pray invites us all to wait expectantly for God this Lent, and to draw on Black Spirituality in search of new wisdom and hope. The spiritual practice known as "tarrying" is a prominent aspect of many Black - especially Pentecostal - congregations. "Tarrying" is a time of waiting on God which involves the whole community. It encourages us to encounter God both as individuals and together. As we wait, we pray for our own needs, as well as those of our neighbour. "Tarrying" also encourages us to watch, paying attention to matters we might push under the rug to deal with "another time". Doing so might feel overwhelming. But as we sit in the presence of God who looks upon us with delight, we find ourselves waiting with and for Jesus, who is familiar with our weaknesses. Watch Notice any worries or feelings you might be afraid to deal with as we begin Lent. ...and pray today by setting aside time to hold these before God - and wait.
