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Dear friends,
We are here at the midway point in Lent, halfway between the ashes and wilderness temptations of this journey’s start and the cross and empty tomb at its end. Today, I invite you to check in with yourself: How are you? In my sermon on the first Sunday of Lent, I offered up some questions for reflection:
1) Whom or what do you trust for your nourishment?
2) Whom do you trust to love and care for you?
3) Whom do you trust with your service?
4) Are there areas of your life where you’ve been doubting God’s goodness?
5) If so, can you imagine inviting God to help you recognize the ways God is sustaining you, even in the hard places?
Try answering these questions in your next reflective moment of prayer. Don’t strive for correct responses; seek, instead, for the deep, honest answers. Because there in truth and humility, you’ll be met with the boundless freedom of God’s immeasurable love.
I like to read St. Anselm’s Song out loud to close my contemplative prayer time.
A Song of Christ's Goodness
Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you:
You are gentle with us as a mother with her children;
Often you weep over our sins and our pride:
tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgement.
You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds:
in sickness you nurse us,
and with pure milk you feed us.
Jesus, by your dying we are born to new life:
by your anguish and labour we come forth in joy.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness:
through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead:
your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us:
in your love and tenderness remake us.
In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness:
for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.
--St. Anselm of Canterbury, (1033-1109)
May you know the fullness of God’s love this Lent,
Pastor Charlotte
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