Lenten Reflection – Tuesday 31 March 2009
March 31, 2009 | Comments Off
Gospel reading for the day: John 8: 21-30
28 So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. 29 And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone.
This passage recalls for us the story yet to come… Jesus lifted up on the cross, crying out in the words of Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”.
It can be a comfort to know that even Jesus had times of feeling God’s absence. This passage is an assurance that while those feelings are very real, God does not ever leave us alone. And perhaps our own experience of feeling that God is not there may at a later date be able to bring comfort and strength to another in their time of need.
What situations most give rise to you feeling the absence of God ?
God of grace,
teach us to be a support to one another,
that when there are times
when we cannot perceive you,
we may yet provide your presence in one another.
Amen.
Lenten Reflection – Monday, 30 March 2009
March 30, 2009 | Comments Off
Gospel reading for the day: John 8: 1-11
7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ 8And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
There are times when we are faced with difficult decisions or moral dilemmas. Times when we’re not sure what is the most politically astute response to make. Moments when we hesitate to say anything, even though we know something should be said. The Scribes and Pharisees who brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus wanted to catch him out saying or doing the wrong thing. Jesus waited. He stayed calm, and present. Without challenging anything that the Law said about stoning adulterers, he then spoke directly into their hearts. “If you are so keen to deal out this is the punishment you think is due to her… consider first how culpable you are.”
Think of an issue or disagreement that you might have with someone. What are the mixed motive and influences that feed the energy in that for you?
Wise and loving God,
give me courage to face my own sinfulness,
that I may not cause more bad relating,
but be a channel of your reconciliation and forgiveness.
Amen.
Lenten Reflection – 5th Sunday in Lent
March 29, 2009 | Comments Off
Gospel reading for the day: John 12: 20-33
23 Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
In some parts of our tradition, this Sunday is called Passion Sunday. We move inexorably closer to the events of Holy Week and Christ’s passion. We are drawn into the depths of the intensity, emotion, confusion and commitment. The hour of Christ’s glory approaches – one and the same as his hour of betrayal, abandonment, agony and death. We, his friends and followers, the ones who claim to be his BODY, walk with him, entering into the paradox of a glory that consists in dying.
How might we be willing to “die” to some issue of pride or comfort that there may be life for others?
Jesus, crucified, despised, suffering,
You made yourself one with us.
Help us to follow you,
bearing shame, disappointment, contempt
for the sake of love.
Amen
Lenten Reflection – Saturday, 28 March 2009
March 28, 2009 | Comments Off
Gospel reading for the day: John 7: 40-52
45 Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why did you not arrest him?’ 46 The police answered, ‘Never has anyone spoken like this!’ 47 then the Pharisees replied, ‘Surely you have not been deceived too, have you?
The tension is building! More and more people are beginning to recognise that there is something about Jesus that they can’t ignore. And the religious leaders can’t bear it – they’ve got to stamp it out. As a wider range of people seem to be stepping up to acknowledge something of the identity of Jesus it is as if the identity of religious leaders is at stake. Their blindness and resistance is hardening into defensiveness and hatred.
How might we help someone we know who is resistant or stubborn?
Lighten my heart, O God, and loosen the strings of resentment that keep areas of my heart closed.
Give me eyes to see myself,
and each person I meet today,
as your child, O God,
and worthy of your love and delight.
Amen
Lenten Reflection – Friday, 27 March 2009
March 27, 2009 | Comments Off
Gospel reading for the day: John 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30
28 Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, ‘You know me, and you know where I am from.
A word that occurs many times in Johns’ gospel is SIGNS. The gospel is full of events and commentary on those events that reveal aspects of who Jesus is. In this passage, people are recognising signs that Jesus is the messiah, yet they seem to be looking for all possible reasons for it not to be true.
In what ways do you resist or ignore the presence of Jesus, God’s anointed One, in your everyday life?
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,
cry out to me in the faces of the poor,
calling me to know you and recognise you,
calling me to love you and the One who sent you,
calling me to live as though I mean it.
Amen.
Lenten Reflection – Thursday, 26 March 2009
March 26, 2009 | Comments Off
Gospel reading for the day: John 5: 31-47
39 ’You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. 40Yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Jesus speaks with passion to the Jewish leaders who are so resistant to his message. He knows that they are dedicated to the Law. This is the legacy they see left to them by Moses, to teach and exhort people to live according to Torah. Yet they seem to have missed the whole point of what the Torah is about. In worrying about the minutiae of the text, they cannot see the very embodiment of it who is standing in front of them!
As you reflect on the past few days, what event calls to mind a passage from scripture?
Loving God,
when we get too hung up on
interpreting or obeying the words of scripture,
bring us back to experiencing The Word,
who is as alive in our world as in the scriptures.
Amen.
Suzanne Duncan Scholar on a mission to Tanzania
March 26, 2009 | Comments Off
Holly Payne, a former Suzanne Duncan Scholar, leaves on 19 April to take up a volunteer position in Tanzania teaching English and Physical Education to orphaned children whose parents have died from HIV/AIDS. She will teach a class size of between 45 and 70 primary/intermediate pupils.
It is a huge task for a young woman to take on, especially when she will be living in a remote impoverished village. But Holly says ”I…feel honoured to have been accepted for this position. I have always had a desire to work with young people in the developing world and in particular in Africa. With Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) I will dedicate myself to teaching these young children for the next two years.” She leaves her “comfortable” teaching post at Queen Margaret’s with a vision to bring hope and new life to orphans, a mission we can all be involved in as Holly’s church family.
So let us come together to show support to Holly on Monday 30 March 5 PM at church and let this Hutt Valley girl tell us about her mission. We’ll have finger food and a cuppa afterwards in the foyer. If you would bring some cash for Koha for Holly, it would certainly help her buy the necessary supplies and resources which she will need to take with her. Thank you.
Lenten Reflection – Wednesday, 25 March 2009
March 25, 2009 | Comments Off
Gospel reading for the day: Luke 1: 26-38
(John 5: 17-30)
38Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’
In the reading from John, Jesus speaks about the way his words and action reflect and represent his heavenly Father. Today is “Lady Day”, the Feast of the Annunciation. Jesus does not only reflect and represent the character of his Father, but also that of his mother. Mary helped Jesus grow into the man who gave himself as a servant. Her example reminds us that we have a daily calling to offer ourselves to the way of God.
Praying Mary’s prayer, move through your day trusting that God will make use of your offered service.
Reflect later on how this happens.
Here am I, the servant of the Lord;
let it be with me according to your word.
Amen.
Lenten Reflection – Tuesday, 24 March 2009
March 24, 2009 | Comments Off
Gospel reading for the day: John 5: 1-3, 5-16
10So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, ‘It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.’ 11But he answered them, ‘The man who made me well said to me, “Take up your mat and walk.” ‘
What a great example of missing the point. The Jews (John’s code for “religious authorities who oppose Jesus) are concerned about the breaking of the Law. They are blind to the joyous event that has just happened. I wonder, is the healed man deliberately staying with their limited vision – not my fault, the man who healed me told me to – or is he trying to point out what they are missing: I, a crippled man, am healed, the man who did this proved it by telling me to pick up my mat and walk, and here I am doing it. Can’t you see how great that is?!
Take time today to notice the gifts of joy hidden amongst the problems and concerns.
Holy God,
God of surprises and joy,
reach into our busy-ness and concerns, today
bringing healing and hope.
Help us to notice! Amen.
Lenten Reflection – Monday, 23 March 2009
March 23, 2009 | Comments Off
Gospel reading for the day: John 4: 43-54
53The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ So he himself believed, along with his whole household.
A royal official comes to Jesus, someone from the secular authorities. He comes seeking healing for his son. At first it seems to Jesus that this is yet another seeker after the sensational. But this man is motivated simply by love – love for his son. He dares to trust that Jesus might be able to help. Jesus responds to this love and trust, bringing healing and hope. In return the official AND ALL HIS HOUSEHOLD give their wholehearted response, becoming believers.
Recall a time when you experienced the recovery and/or healing of a loved one.
Allow yourself to respond wholeheartedly for this gift.
God of healing and wholeness,
bring us back to you,
that we might recognise your love and care
for us and for our loved ones,
and in recognising,
have our love and trust in you renewed.
Amen.
