Lent – A time for Reflection, but New Beginnings
By Maggie Kirkbride, Lay Preaching Advocate of the National Synod of Wales
As we go into Lent, we reflect on and renew our faith in Jesus Christ. He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days and nights to be utterly alone – except for the devil and the temptations to which Jesus was subjected.
For most of us we don’t have a wilderness to wander off into, so we must make do with where we are. But I started Lent well, by spending the weekend with like-minded, spiritual ladies at the Christian Women’s Fellowship conference at The Hayes in Swanwick, Derbyshire. Usually, a very cold, snowy or wet weekend at the end of February, this one was pleasantly sunny. It was a joy to look out over the countryside, lush and green with the buds of spring breaking through. I was privileged to lead and preside at the Sunday morning Holy Communion service in the chapel. The theme being the temptations of Adam & Eve and Jesus. In both events, the devil rears their ugly head.
These stories do give us our opportunity to reflect on the ministry that Jesus was about to embark on. We should reflect on the temptations that life puts in our way.
Do we give in to them?
Is our life complete enough with our faith in Jesus?
Where can the buds of our faith push through that cold, clay-like, sodden earth that is our life to bloom in all its fullness as Easter arrives to sadden but then thrill us with the Risen Lord.
Pray with me:
God asks us to trust.
Trust in Jesus,
trust in the Word,
trust in ourselves.
We trust in creation,
at this time of renewal,
to show us its joys and beauty.
God also accepts our humanity,
is there to forgive through Jesus Christ,
to open us to the eternal life that is offered.
Open up your heart and overcome those temptations,
ask for the forgiveness our Saviour gives us, and walk through your faith
with the guidance, support, and love of
God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.