Faith and Mission

Lent

Last week saw the beginning of our Lenten season with Ash Wednesday. This period is one of reflection, prayer, selfless giving and righting relationships with each other and with God. Our REC, Mr Simon Gitson, lead a beautiful prayer and reflection with our RE Staff to mark the beginning of this Lenten season.  I would like to share his reflection and prayer with you all.

Ms Josie Dilettoso

Director of Faith and Mission

Lent Prayer

Ash Wednesday signals the beginning of that season of the church year that is most commonly associated with penance (when you punish yourself for doing something wrong or behaving badly). But if you focus too heavily on this it becomes like a mathematical balancing act - e.g. if I do these bad things, I do this much penance as payback. In thinking this way you aren’t really growing as a person... You are not looking at the root causes of your behaviour or choices.

But when we look at the true spirit of Lent it is about recognising what we should change in our lives. It is about becoming, doing and changing whatever it is that is blocking the fullness of life in us right now and doing what we can, to bring about the fullness of life in others. Lent brings us back to relationships, to the faces of the people whose sufferings are concealed behind politics, economics or institutions.  It leads us to pay attention, not to what we are giving up, but to who we are giving up on. Let us pray.

God of Renewal, help us to reflect on our relationship with you and others and to mend broken connections in our lives.

God of Life, give us the strength to take stock of our attitudes, values and actions and help us to commit to being the best people we can be.

God of Compassion, guide us in our decisions, so that we can learn to make do with less so that others may have their basic needs met.

God of Love, during this time of Lent, encourage us all to give generously and to work towards overcoming the dehumanising challenge of poverty that faces so many in the world.

We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.

Amen.