Testing Times ...
Dear Friends,
We are living in testing times, times unlike any experienced before. These testing times are affecting the whole world, and all the nations are struggling to respond. In his inauguration speech last month, President Joe Biden reflected on the challenges facing the troubled and divided nation of America: "This is a time of testing. We face an attack on democracy and on truth. A raging virus. Growing inequity. The sting of systemic racism. A climate in crisis. America's role in the world. Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways. But the fact is we face them all at once, presenting this nation with the gravest of responsibilities. Now we must step up. All of us. It is a time for boldness, for there is so much to do. And, this is certain. We will be judged, you and I, for how we resolve the cascading crises of our era. Will we rise to the occasion?"
The leaders of our world need our prayers more than ever, as they work out how we can "resolve the cascading crises of our era". All of us are affected in some way or other by the impact of these crises - whether physically, economically, relationally, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. The experience of yet another lockdown is leaving so many feeling stressed and anxious. And, in the face of the multiple restrictions and huge changes to "normal" life, it is easy to feel utterly helpless.
Yet there is something that each one of us can do. You and I can choose how we respond. During this month, we begin the season of Lent. It is a time when Christians remember how Jesus faced a time of testing in the wilderness. This time of testing challenged His priorities and clarified His God-given call. Would Jesus try to take the easy way out, to "look after Number 1"? Or would He "step up" and choose to live out God's call in God's way, and for the sake of God's world? The Gospels tell us how Jesus chose God's way, the way that would lead to Good Friday and Easter.
Lent invites us to seek God's presence with us in these testing times. There are many different ways in which we could do this - e.g. by choosing to join in a Lent group or an online service. Or how about resolving to "count our blessings", maybe by thinking of at least one thing for which to give thanks each day? Or again, could we turn our worries into prayer and/or some practical act of care for the wellbeing of others?
Lent is an opportunity for us to nurture growth in a life of faith, hope and love. The question is, are we willing to do so?
Wishing you every blessing in Christ in these testing times,
John Barr, Rector
Dear Friends,
We are living in testing times, times unlike any experienced before. These testing times are affecting the whole world, and all the nations are struggling to respond. In his inauguration speech last month, President Joe Biden reflected on the challenges facing the troubled and divided nation of America: "This is a time of testing. We face an attack on democracy and on truth. A raging virus. Growing inequity. The sting of systemic racism. A climate in crisis. America's role in the world. Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways. But the fact is we face them all at once, presenting this nation with the gravest of responsibilities. Now we must step up. All of us. It is a time for boldness, for there is so much to do. And, this is certain. We will be judged, you and I, for how we resolve the cascading crises of our era. Will we rise to the occasion?"
The leaders of our world need our prayers more than ever, as they work out how we can "resolve the cascading crises of our era". All of us are affected in some way or other by the impact of these crises - whether physically, economically, relationally, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. The experience of yet another lockdown is leaving so many feeling stressed and anxious. And, in the face of the multiple restrictions and huge changes to "normal" life, it is easy to feel utterly helpless.
Yet there is something that each one of us can do. You and I can choose how we respond. During this month, we begin the season of Lent. It is a time when Christians remember how Jesus faced a time of testing in the wilderness. This time of testing challenged His priorities and clarified His God-given call. Would Jesus try to take the easy way out, to "look after Number 1"? Or would He "step up" and choose to live out God's call in God's way, and for the sake of God's world? The Gospels tell us how Jesus chose God's way, the way that would lead to Good Friday and Easter.
Lent invites us to seek God's presence with us in these testing times. There are many different ways in which we could do this - e.g. by choosing to join in a Lent group or an online service. Or how about resolving to "count our blessings", maybe by thinking of at least one thing for which to give thanks each day? Or again, could we turn our worries into prayer and/or some practical act of care for the wellbeing of others?
Lent is an opportunity for us to nurture growth in a life of faith, hope and love. The question is, are we willing to do so?
Wishing you every blessing in Christ in these testing times,
John Barr, Rector