Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Lent is the time of year when the Church calls on Christians to take part in a period of Spiritual Discipline for 40 days that ends with the great celebration of Easter. Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday when, in days of old, it was the tradition to use up all the goodies in the pantry and have a feast before Lent began as Lent used to be a time of fasting. Traditionally, Ash Wednesday is the day when children and adults would go to Church to confess their sins and receive the mark of ash on the forehead, as a sign that we are sinners in need of God’s mercy and grace. Here are some traditional prayers:Holy God, our lives are laid open before you: rescue us from the chaos of sin through the death of your Son and bring us to healing and wholeness.Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are repentant: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that as we lament our sins and acknowledge our unhappiness, that you, the God of all mercy, grant us forgiveness through Jesus.Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be a sacrifice for sin and an example of godly life: give us grace that we may thankfully receive his gifts then undertake to follow in the blessed steps of his most holy life.This year, we shall be making our confession in Church on the 1st Sunday of Lent and those who want them may receive the ashes. For those of you who want to - make your confession at home. For true freedom comes when we recognise our sin, are sorry for our shortfalls, confess them to God and ask God to help us change. For, no matter how bad we are, what is truly remarkable is that God loves every sinner who turns back to Him and when even one sinner repents Jesus said that the angels rejoice in heaven. So, let us pray: For all my sins Lord, I am sorry and ashamed, I know I do not deserve your forgiveness, so I come to you trusting in your loving mercy and grace, asking: Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen
2nd Sunday before Lent Readings: Genesis 2v4b-9&15-end; Psalm 65; Revelation 4; Luke 8v22-25. Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. A Word: What a selection of readings we have for today, readings that tell us a lot about God. In Genesis we hear about God as a creator. For God formed man from the dust of the ground, then breathed life into him to make him into a living being. Then God created the Garden of Eden for the first man to live and work in. After this God made all sorts of animals and birds to keep the man company. However, when the man found that none of the animals or birds were a suitable partner and helper, God made woman as a partner for the man. A partner who alongside the man made one whole being. Just like the two sides of a single coin – make one united whole. In the psalm we hear about God’s love for humankind. For it tells us that when we turn to God and confess our sins that our sins are washed away. It also says that everyone drawn to God’s temple will find blessing and hope beyond measure. For the God we worship and praise and thank is the one who cares for the whole of creation. In the book of the Revelation, we hear about the awesome and mighty presence of God in a vision of heaven. For heaven is a place where there is a throne alongside 24 other thrones and a sea that looks just like crystal in front of the main throne. On the main throne is seated one who is brightly coloured like jasper and carnelian - a shiny rusty red sort of colour - one who is described as living forever and ever. And, in this place, there is a sound like thunder and reverberation; there are four living creatures with wings and lots of eyes singing songs of praise to God; and on the other thrones are elders, all dressed in long white robes and wearing golden crowns; elders who fall to their knees and put down their crowns before the one who lives forever, as they sing songs of glory and praise to the one who lives forever. In Luke we hear what the disciples have to say about God’s Son on a day when Jesus is tired and falls asleep whilst he and his disciples are in a boat crossing to the other side of the lake. For while Jesus is sleeping, a serious storm that puts Jesus and the disciples in danger breaks out. In fear, the disciples wake Jesus and alert him to the troublesome storm and upon waking and understanding what was happening, Jesus reprimands the wind and raging waves. In response the storm evaporates and Jesus asks his disciples “where is your faith?”. The disciples, amazed by what they had witnessed, simply ask each other “who is this that even the winds and waves obey him?”. As God’s gathered people, we are called to believe and trust in the God who created us; the God who loves forgives, cares for and blesses humankind; the God who is worshipped in heaven; the God who came to earth and asks “where is your faith?” I pray that all of us here will be just as amazed by what we witness in our lives that we too will be able to say of God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit - “who is this that even the winds and waves obey him?” Let us Pray: Almighty God, maker of the whole of creation, who has set the tree of life in paradise and the bread of life in the heart of the Church; transform us through our Saviour’s cross; teach us to detect your hand in all your works and to see your likeness in all your children; and call us to share in the delights of eternity. Amen Thanks for joining us today.
3rd Sunday before Lent Readings: Jeremiah 17v5-10; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15v12-20; Luke 6v17-26. Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. A Word: I believe that today’s readings tell us what happens to humankind after this life is over and raises the question: do we believe in an afterlife? In the letter to the Corinthians we hear what Paul has to say to the people of his time who did not believe in Jesus’ resurrection and the afterlife. Paul is certain there is an afterlife and points out that: if there is no afterlife and all we do is perish when we die then his and our faith is futile. Paul is certain of the afterlife and sure that Christ was raised from the dead because Jesus met with Paul on the road to Damascus. In the gospel of Luke, we hear Jesus’ teaching about the afterlife. Jesus says that in the life to come that God blesses the poor, the hungry, those full of sorrow and everyone who is treated badly because they serve the Lord. For in the afterlife, they will receive: a place in the Kingdom of God; food at God’s feast in heaven; joy in the kingdom to come; and reward beyond measure in heaven. I believe that Jesus is encouraging those who are suffering now in this world and whose lot in life is difficult by assuring them that the afterlife is a much better place. I also believe that in Jesus is warning everyone who has enough of what they need to use what they have to serve generously in the world, or else God will set his face against them. Like the rich in goods and possessions, like those who have plenty to eat, like those who have nothing to do but live fun-filled lives and like all those who spend their time being admired by this world. As a Christian, I believe that Jesus is teaching and warning that after we die we will end up in one of two groups. This is echoed in the psalm which tells us that: God’s people are those who delight in God’s law, bear good fruit and are blessed by God; whilst those who do not bear good fruit will perish. It is also shared with us by the prophet Jeremiah who warns that: people who do not turn to God will be left out of all of the wonders that God promises to those who turn to him; and everyone who trusts in the Lord will be blessed by God and bear much fruit in the world. I believe that the message in these readings is a call for all of us to take stock of how we live our lives, using all that we have, in the service of God. For God calls us to use what has been given to us ,in order to benefit others. This is a most amazing calling because it makes a positive difference in the world. I also believe that this is a calling we need to respond to because it is what God put us on this earth to do, in his name. Let us Pray: Almighty God, our merciful father, who gave Jesus so all humanity can be drawn by faith and love to you: give us the grace we need to leave our sinful selves behind; help us to fix our unworthy hearts on you; and at the end of our lives bring us to the table in heaven where we may find true joy as we feast with Jesus the bread of life. Amen Thanks for joining us today.
