What do we see?

 Luke 11:29-30

When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation.

We ask for a sign

You show us

people emerging from sleeping bags

in the doorways we pass

as we make our way to work

We ask for a sign

You show us

food bank drop off points 

in the grocery stores we frequent 

We ask for a sign

You show us 

children being killed by bombs in Gaza

as we watch the evening news

Sadly we have become inured

to all the signs around us 

that call us to love and to action

We blithely look beyond the signs

that show us where you are to be found

and choose to be comforted

by banal distractions

and tenuous connections on social media 

What part of ”love one another” is it

that we don’t understand?

(Liz Crumlish Lent 2024)

Embracing wilderness

 Mark 1:12

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.

In the wilderness

Empty-handed

Devoid of the resources normally relied on

Vulnerable to the whims of nature

What is lying dormant 

ready to flourish?

What is hidden

that might come to light?

What surprises are waiting

to illuminate our path?

In vulnerability

there is an invitation

to be courageous

to welcome whatever is offered

with the spirit of curiosity and wonder

and, in our openness

there is the possibility

of transformation.

Where might we experience wilderness today?

Seeing Christ

Matthew 25:35-36

for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’

Noticing others

takes us beyond ourselves

and the cares that consume us

Serving others

does not diminish our woes

but provides a welcome distraction

helping us gain

a different perspective

enabling us

to return enlightened

to all that we must face alone

And the knowledge that, 

knowingly or unknowingly 

we serve Christ

lends purpose to our service.

May we encounter others today

whether in serving or being served

and recognise the Christ in all.

 

May you see angels

 Mark 1:12-13

The Temptation of Jesus

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

As you face the wilderness today

may you see angels

As you own all that tempts you

may you see angels

As you hunger and thirst

may you see angels 

As you fret about the future

may you see angels

As you wonder what lies ahead

may you see angels

As you confront all that would trip you up

may you see angels

As you weary of grafting

may you see angels

As you surrender control

may you see angels

As you emerge into all that awaits you

may you see angels

waiting on you and ministering to you

at every turn

May you see angels

For those who mourn

 

John 17:24

Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

We believe that the love of God

that breathes us into life

is the same love that embraces us in death

And yet, how hard it is

to release those we love into God’s arms

There is always more to do

More to say

More of the world to sort out together

More to learn of and from each other

May all who mourn today

be aware of that unbroken love

holding them in their grieving

Soothing the ache that persists

and stilling the mind that rages with questions

And may those who seek to bring comfort to others

find in the sacredness of their task

a balm for their own soul

May the God who has knit us together in our mother’s womb

sew us together in the sorrow of death

with a repair that adds beauty and strength

to all the days of our living.

Look for the signs

 Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

How easy it is to be miserable

To see all that is wrong in the world

To fret and despair

And so be blind to the little signs of goodness

and the simple acts of kindness 

that present themselves in myriad ways

and hint at the presence of love.

How easy it is to retreat

fearing that we will be contaminated

by the bleakness of the world around

and so miss out

on the signs of courage and persistence

that make a difference and signal hope

that love will win out

How easy it is to expect the worst

and to find it

when we might instead be bearers of light 

that doesn’t dispel the darkness

but that makes the work of finding a way through

a communal endeavour

Look for the signs

of kindness, love, courage, hope and light

that together make way for peace 

Journeying with restlessness

 

John 8:10-11

Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”

Yesterday, I wanted Ash Wednesday to be different. I know that was about my needs as much as anyone else’s. I didn’t want to engage with “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return” or with Matthew 6: “Beware of practicing your piety before others…”

And so, I decided to use the alternative words prescribed for Ash Wednesday “You are redeemed by the cross of Christ” and I read the alternative gospel - John 8 - Jesus absolving the woman caught in adultery.

There was something about, right at the beginning of Lent, choosing to practice confession, repentance and absolution in a different way. I wonder how that desire for difference will continue in this season? Often alternatives are not immediately obvious and require work to track down. Will I pursue that work? Will I continue to embrace the restlessness that refuses to settle for the old and familiar? 

Time will tell.

Watch this space…

“Woman, where are they?

Where are the accusers?

Where are those who judge?

Where are those who disparage?

Where are those who write off?

Where are those who apply different standards?

Where are those who underestimate?

Where are those who discriminate based on gender?

Where are those who apply rules selectively?

Where are those who condemn?

And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you”

And no matter how often others attempt to reinforce old ways

Still, we are redeemed by the Cross of Christ.