News from the Pews

“You are the light of the world.”

A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Mt 5:14-16)

Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope this year has been good to you so far. Over the next 8 weeks we continue to observe our Lent period which will lead us to Holy Week when we celebrate Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday when we celebrate the Risen Christ.

We will also in this month of March be observing and supporting the National Day of Reflection on Thursday 23 March, the first anniversary of the UK lockdown, to commemorate this tragic loss of life and to stand together with everyone who is grieving.

The National Day of Reflection looks to reflect on our collective loss, support those who have been bereaved, and hope for a brighter future. I would like you all to think, on this day, those you know who have lost a loved one and who may still be grieving for their loss. You can pay a visit, buy a card or flower for them, light a special candle in the church or any other things you can do to bring comfort to them. You may want to say the following prayer for them or with them after your reflection or visit:

“Loving God, you hold all our times in your hands, our past, our present, our future. Be close to us now as we remember all the difficulties and disappointments of the past year. Be especially close to all of us who are thinking of someone we loved and knew, but see no longer, whether family, friend, colleague, or neighbour. Help us to trust that they are at peace with you, and comfort us with your presence.”

On Monday 27 February we began our Lent course where we meet and reflect together on our lives with Jesus. We are following the Diocese Rhythm of Life – Lent 2023 Course: Journeying with Jesus through Lent: What does it mean to be a disciple in the world today?

The Lenten themes, combined with some key issues, including Poverty, Racism, and the Environment. Sessions will provide an opportunity for us to engage with the Rhythm of Life areas for deepening commitment: praying, encouraging, sharing, reflecting, celebrating, resting, and creating. If you missed our first session, do not worry, we still have 4 more sessions every Tuesday at 2:30pm in the Church Hall office.

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance.  It is a day to reflect on the past year and ask God's forgiveness for any sins. Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. This act of repentance reminds me that Lent, our spiritual journey from death to life, is something we do collectively. We cannot be in good relationship with God without being in good relationship with our neighbours; our sins against them are sins against God. Jesus taught repeatedly that forgiveness from God calls for recognition of our own sinfulness.

Lent is however about being loved, loving and not about being punished and unloved. But it is also hard work. This work does require sacrifice, openness to others’ insights about our shortcomings and gifts. True repentance opens our hearts to the wrong we do to others and the self-righteousness with which we bind them.

Lent is an especially suitable time to think and pray about how we engage in conversion with others about our encounters with Jesus Christ and especially the experience of his forgiveness, love, and mercy. We must go out to encounter others and share the experience of God’s love. We do this by inviting people to personally encounter the living Christ in a real dialogue that is non-judgemental.  Openness to others is not just a nice gesture, being polite, or showing tolerance, it is a way to witness God’s universal love. 

During this Lent period, let us try to know Jesus as a friend, and experience God’s unbelievable love and generosity towards us. And afterwards, as we enter Holy week when we reflect on Jesus, the servant King who called us to serve others in our Maundy Thursday reflection, on Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins in our Good Friday reflection, and finally, the celebration of the risen Christ on Easter Sunday; let us continue to live our lives sharing this love and generosity of God with others, empowered by the power of the Holy Spirit in the risen Christ Jesus, our Lord and saviour.

With my prayers and blessings always. 

Reverend Olasupo Ogunyinka.