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[Transcript of video]
Hello, my name is Al Coombs. Welcome to the next MCC Lent reflection for 2024. I bring greetings and welcome from Northern Lights MCC in the North East of England.
This Lent we're thinking about Jesus as he began to teach and minister and reconcile us with God. And, and we ask the question, what are you up to? I’ve enjoyed thinking about this question, wondering who might be asking it? The disciples, his mum, the crowds coming to see him, the religious leaders….so often disrupting expectations slowing down and paying attention to people who might otherwise be overlooked and drawing folks’ attention to that which is important. Sometimes it is Jesus asking “What are you up to?” as he turns tables in the temple, asking those around him if they will prioritise God over earthly riches?
So then we hope to be inspired by Jesus’ life. God asks us what we are doing? “What are you up to?” can be a call out; get your priorities in order, step up! But it can also be a beloved curiosity, taking delight in you… “what holy disruption are you up to today?!” I really enjoy that challenge for us this lent: Paying attention to folks who would be overlooked, getting our priorities in order.
It is easy to be thinking of the big problems that we are called to solve. And if you have power and authority and can change some of those things of course you must do it. I can't solve all the problems of war, but I can call on my government representatives, I can sign petitions and when I have the financial and physical capabilities, I can take part in demonstrations and be mindful of how I spend my money. Not everyone can do everything but everyone can do something. What is yours to do?
What are you up to this Lent that will help you to pay attention to folks who are overlooked and reorientate yourself to God . Perhaps meditation, perhaps signing a petition. Maybe finding a way to notice the presence of God is in your workplace, or noticing where God is on the beach, in the mountains, in nature. It might be, being kind enough to yourself, to see that of God within you and beginning to honour that.
This Lent I want to shift what I do and how I think by reading a book that will help me to avoid antisemitism in my sermons and in the long run I would like to shift how I do my day to day activities so that I can drive less and walk more so that I can begin to notice and connect with the people and creatures and plants that are more easily overlooked when I zoom past them in a car.
Holy Spirit help us to get up to some holy mischief, reconcile us to God. I pray that you are with all in MCC and all your children around the world. Amen.
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