Lent is an intentional time, a special invitational
time, a mini retreat time if you like. A time to slow down, pause and reflect;
to examine, reframe, and deepen our relationship with God, others and self.
This Lent we will be focussing on the theme “More
of Him and Less of Me.” It is a
time to take the focus off of ourselves – “what we are doing for Lent” and
instead to connect with “what God wishes to do within us for Lent.” I pray that
this Lent will be a time of blessing for you and all in your small group.
In addition to this written guide, and our audio of
the Sunday Message, we have also developed a series of video follow ups. We
encourage you to use these are the commentaries during the Season of Lent – and
they will form the small group questions which will guide you.
Our progress to date has
been significant....we have looked at the temptations that take us away from
Cross of Christ (same as Jesus in desert). We have glanced together at the
invitation to Go, Join and See the will and way of God for us and how this
means we trust, follow and desire a new perspective to see Christ in a
transfigured way and so we can honour the God Beyond All Praising. We have
heard the call to live soul fully as we quench our thirst and embrace not the
fleeting things of life but the eternal things and last week we looked at
saying an authentic “Yes”.
When I was in the second grade, Sister Eleanor told us as a class:
“listen carefully to the question asked of you before you answer it.”. In the
Gospel of today, Martha and Mary take Jesus to grave of their brother Lazarus
and there Jesus asks them a very important question: “ Do you believe?”
But, not just “do you believe” in the resurrection on the last day –
because all faithful Jews would have believed that. But rather He asked do you
believe “I am the resurrection and life?” They said “yes” and we too do as His
disciples – for this means that we have life and life in abundance, not only in
the future (on the last day), but also in the present as we journey with
Him. With their belief stated, Martha
and Mary see a great miracle. Jesus orders the grave opened and Lazarus to
“come out” and as he does, then Lazarus is unbound, set free, and not only does
his life change, but the lives of Martha and Mary (and all who saw the miracle)
change – because of a Yes.
As we come to the almost finish line of the Season of Lent, as we soon
will see the statues covered, and readings which promise salvation will turn
toward the bright white vestments and the glorious fulfillment of Christ’s
promise contained within His question - “I am the resurrection and life.”
Our readings this Lord’s day remind us that Jesus did not come simply to
be a philosopher who asks questions or a sage who provides wisdom, but He came
to bring new eternal and full life and to take away our sins. Thus the power of
our Day of Mercy this Thursday and the opportunity to celebrate the Sacramentof Reconciliation. This miracle of raising Lazarus is Jesus’ last recorded
miracle before heading to Jerusalem, as He arrives they know He has power over
death. Jesus also has power over sin and desires to work that miracle in your
life today through the beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
During this Season of Lent we have been on retreat – one desiring to
make it a season of More of Him and Less of Me. We have turned down the volume
of the world and asked God to open our ears to His voice. So that we might
grow, love and see even more His will and way. The Sacrament of Reconciliation
is the pinnacle opportunity to do such that, to culminate our retreat by coming
out of the tomb and enter into the new Season of Easter in fullness of life