Jesus, the man for everyone. 1–4 March 2006
Once again this Lent we have the opportunity at St Matthew’s of making a journey of faith together. It will be a journey with way-marks set out by Brother Ramon in his book ‘The Way of Love’ which offers reflections on much of the earthly life of Jesus.
On Sundays we shall look at the passages set for the day and during the week the Home Groups will pick up on some of the material for week days. (If you would like to join a home group for Lent please ring the church office or speak to Richard Pendlebury or Pauline Roberts.) In between you are invited to make your own personal journey based on the short daily passages.
We hope that many of the community of St Matthew’s will want to make this journey with us.
The Focus Group
Preparing for Lent—Jesus, man for everyone
THOUGHTS FROM ‘THE WAY OF LOVE’
The discipline for this journey is modest. You should try to set aside time at the same point every day and make it sacrosanct, for it is your trysting time with God.
Spend a few minutes of quiet centring yourself within the presence and love of God, perhaps repeating the Jesus prayer—Lord Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner—or a verse like:
Breathe on me breath of God
fill me with life anew
that I may love what thou dost love
and do what thou would’st do.Take up the day’s scripture, going through it slowly, feeding upon it meditatively.
Look at the thought for the day, referring back to the scripture and gently lead on into prayer. Spend the rest of your time in openness before God or take up any of the intercession themes for the week.
INTERCESSIONS
This week you might like to pray for:
- The community of St Matthew’s as it begins the journey of Lent.
- Ray as he approaches Lent and Easter away from St Matthew’s
- The Home groups as they follow this series
- The Wardens and PCC and the Annual Meeting with its elections on April 3
BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY. Matt 16:5–12 & 1 Cor 5:6–8 Pancakes?
The ancient Israelites cleaned out the leaven from their homes in their liturgical celebration of the Passover. Their leaven was the influence of the pagan Egypt when they left its corruption as pilgrims for the wilderness and the promised land. So it became the ‘leaven of influence’ when Jesus warned his disciples.
As I made my pancakes I asked the Lord to help clear out the leavening influences of malice and hypocrisy in my own life. I also confessed my sins and received absolution by the mercy of God.
Take a walk and let the tiny buds and new leaves strengthen your weariness after winter, and reflect on the promise of new life in spring.
ASH WEDNESDAY 1 March. Joel 2:12–14 & Matt 16:21–26 The beginning of Lent
At St Matthew’s we begin our Lent journey together at 7.45pm with Holy Communion led by Canon Brendan Clover
Jesus, Lord of the journey:
at the beginning of this pilgrimage
the road must have seemed full of pain and sorrow
as you set your face towards Jerusalem.
Without you as Saviour and elder brother I shall fall, fail and go astray.
Place your arm of encouragement around my drooping shoulder,
Lord; lift up my head that I may see the glory shining at the end of the valley; help me to take the first determined steps of faith.
Amen
THURSDAY 2. Matt 4:1–11 Wilderness
Jesus resisted the subtle doubts and evil suggestions from the powers of darkness. He offered himself wholly to God in personal humility, took the path of simplicity and put no trust in shows of charismatic power or political manoeuvring. He was able to withstand the crushing temptation and desolation of Gethsemane and Calvary because he had set his face towards the will of God here, in the wilderness.
FRIDAY 3. Isaiah 58:1–9 & Matt 6:16–18 Soul searching
No amount of religious practice is a scrap of use unless it produces compassion.
Searching and sympathising Saviour:
you gaze into the deep places of my heart
and search out the hidden motives;
forgive me for my duplicity and hypocrisy and grant that my love for God
and for my neighbour may not degenerate into mere sentiment.
May it be disciplined and channelled into practical help for my fellow human beings.
Amen
SATURDAY 4. John 4:4–30 Opening up
For the woman, there was a great deal of untangling to do: personal, moral, religious, theological. It became very simple because Jesus went to the heart of her need, and she was willing to let her soul be exposed to him. She became one of those people who open up to God as a bud opens to the radiance of the sun.
COMING UP
Next week: Jesus, the man of stories.
Sunday 5 March at St Matthew’s:
10.30 Holy Communion with drama to reflect on
6.30 Evening Worship and sermon—The man who had two sons
Readings: Luke 15:11–32