Readings:
Deuteronomy 26:16-19
Matthew 5:43-48
Reflection:
We are surrounded by the magnificent beauty of God who enables the sun to rise in the morning, and the moon and stars to guide us through the night. We are never left in the darkness. God’s creation is all around us bringing new life, so do not despair.
As part of God’s creation we are individually and collectively nutured. Whether good or bad, honest or dishonest, we are told that God’s rain falls on everyone. (Mt 5:45)
In Acts 10:34-35 we are told that ‘God has no favourites and accepts anyone who fears God and does what is right’.
This is the God, Jesus calls Father. This is the God whose Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the Evil One.
In his temptations, Jesus was not alone. There were the angels sent to minister to him. At the time of his greatest temptation in the garden of Gethsemane, an angel ministered to him as he commenced his Passion Journey.
We do not enter this Lenten Season alone. The spirit of God is with us. The community of believers is with us. Lent is not simply made up of individual devotions and acts of self-denial. We move through Lent as a community. The question what am I doing/giving up for lent? should be followed by a second question what are we as a church community doing/giving up for Lent? Project Compassion can show us the way.
Lent starts with acknowledging God’s presence in our world. Our response to this creative presence determines our Lenten practice as individuals and communities.
Peter Addicoat CP is a member of the Hobart Passionist Community.