Lenten Services 2021

Our wonderful hanging in Chapel, we have found out recently, is called Immanence, God is with us. I believe God is with us always, walking alongside us and carrying us through the tough times.

These aren't usual times and being able to take time to reflect is very important. Our Lenten Services give our community an opportunity to step back from the busyness of our day and reflect.

We have all just come through a year like no other in living memory. The season of Lent gives us a heaven-sent opportunity to reflect prayerfully on our recent experience and the difficulties and the possibilities it has set before us. Lent is the time when we remember Jesus going into the desert after he'd been baptised by John and God affirmed who he was with the words,

'This is my Son the beloved. Listen to him.'

The spirit then drew Jesus into the desert for 40 days so he could reflect and discern or come to know, what God was asking of him. His ministry here on earth.

As I'm sure you're aware. Jesus was tempted by the devil three times. The temptations were hedonism (concern for body), egoism (pride) and materialism (wealth).

Each time Jesus resisted and trusted in God.

Upheaval, it turns out, is the catalyst for change. In the beginning, we recall, the Spirit hovered not over order but over chaos, bringing forth a new creation. We are experiencing great upheaval and I pray our world will emerge a better place.

"This is a moment t dream big, to rethink our priorities - what we value, what we want, what we seek - and to commit to act in our daily life on what we have dreamed of... God asks us to create something new... We need to slow down, take stock and see better ways of living together on this earth."

Pope Francis Let Us Dream page 6

Lenten Services 2021