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All of this month is taken up with the season
of Lent. Lent ‘the lengthening of the days’ has always been a time that
Christians have observed for self- examination and recollection. Many of
you will be in the Lent study groups following the Lent course
‘Face to Face’
‘growing into the image and likeness of God’.
To grow into
the image of God is a daunting task and the vocation of all baptized
Christians. The fullest image of the likeness of God has been given to us
in the person Jesus of Nazareth. He taught that his followers would have
different values from most people.
Some of his most
profound teaching was in the beatitudes or more commonly known as ‘the
sermon on the mount’ The beatitudes are a wonderful description of what
disciples are suppose to be like. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the
peacemakers. Blessed are you who are poor. They sound so ideal, so
spiritual. They probably come in fourth in the “framed scripture hanging on
a wall category.” Just behind The Ten Commandments, Psalm 23, and the Lord’s
Prayer. But truth be told few of us ever come close to truly living them
out. Why? Here’s the reason: It’s because they are a call to sacrificial
living.
A group of
students had an elderly theologian address them and they asked: what do you
think of the Beatitudes? Several students picked up their pens expecting
something profound and they got it. Here's what he said: "At first sight,
you felt they turned everything upside down. At second sight, you understand
that they turn everything right side up. The first time you read them they
are impossible. The second time you read them, nothing else is possible. The
beatitudes are not a chart for Christian duty. They are a charter for
Christian liberty.”
Jesus died
penniless. Roman soldiers cast lots to divide among themselves Jesus' only
possessions--the clothes on his back. And he looked at his disciples and
said, blessed are you who are poor.
Jesus died
hungry. There is no record that Jesus had anything to eat the day of his
death. What we call The Last Supper on Thursday evening may very well have
been Jesus' last meal. He died on the cross Friday at sunset with an empty
stomach. Looking at his disciples he said, blessed are you who hunger now.
Jesus died
weeping. After his last supper Jesus headed for the Garden and there in that
Olive Grove we call Gethsemane he prayed and he wept. He told his disciples
you are blessed when you weep.
Jesus died
hated. Caiaphas, the greatest religious authority in Israel called him a
blasphemer. The crowds wanted a murderer freed before they would see Jesus
pardoned. And his disciples deserted him. Looking at his disciples he said
blessed are you when men hate you on account of me.
The Beatitudes:
They are admonitions to sacrificial living and sacrificial living is the
door to Christian Freedom. Now what does that mean? Let’s take a look.
1. Jesus puts
in a good word for poverty, hunger, and sadness
2. And he
cautions against riches, food, and worldly happiness
3. Because
sacrificial freedom is greater than financial freedom.
I hope the
above provides some food for thought during Lent.
Evening
Praise Service
This service will take place on Sunday 28th March at 5-00pm in
the church hall.
Revd Leonard Cowie
Leonard died earlier this year and there is an appreciation of him
here. He was a fine example of the Christian life. A
distinguished priest, husband, father and friend who walked humbly and with
humour with his God. We shall all miss him. May he rest in peace and rise
in glory.
Your priest and
friend
Tom Leary
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