Creation, Lent and Our Easter Hope
As I write to everyone in anticipation of the beginning of Lent next week and
our journey towards the new hope of Easter, it is hard not to see this journey in terms of how abruptly and starkly the whole world was jolted into an abrupt sense of wilderness half way through Lent last year.
All of a sudden, we found ourselves thrust into different types of fasting from what we had planned – needing to withdraw from social contact (or finding 24/7 social contact thrust upon us), our churches being closed, temporary food shortages. Some like to take on something new during Lent rather than make abstinence one of their prayerful activities. As lockdown happened, we all found ourselves embracing new things – wider care for our neighbours, creative ways of keeping in contact and the challenges of new technology.
Back in that first lockdown, I do not think that many of us really understood yet what the pandemic would mean. We all went into heroic mode and worked at triumphing over adversity and making sure that nobody was left behind. I have been humbled by the gentle and enduring love and care that our church families and community groups have shown and lived out over the last year.
So, a year on, where are we now?
Yes. We are back in lockdown once again as we enter into the Lenten season. Many people are feeling a little battle-weary. Some are struggling, whilst others have established a new way of being whereby they can cope until the signs of restoration begin. As we journey through the harsh weather of winter, and missing our loved ones, vaccinations are giving signs of fresh hope for life as we knew it to slowly start to return.
This pandemic has been a life-changing experience, and none of us will ever be quite the same again. However, in that, I am sure that we have all learned new things about ourselves and what is truly important. What we can cope and live with, as well as what we would never want to live without. As we emerge from the restrictions that we have lived with, my prayer is that we can carry what we have learned and apply it to some of the big issues in the world: – faith, climate, politics, community, and so on.
Isaiah 58:6-7 seems particularly relevant as we creatively find ways to reach out into our communities during Lent:
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? “
During the Lenten pilgrimage of fasting and prayer, we are reminded of our limitations as created beings. Genesis informs us that all creatures are formed from the dust (Genesis 2:7, 9, 19). It is integral to our faith that Christians understand our God-given limitations that come with being a part of creation. The last year has reminded us of this and forced to rethink how we can express Isaiah’s sentiments when socially distancing.
Creation is particularly to the fore this Lent, as a time of climate emergency has been knocked from the front page of the news by the pandemic, and yet it still remains a critical emergency for the whole world. Lent is a significant time to recall our frailty and dependency before our Creator. Though we are but dust, God does give us a huge responsibility towards the creation we are reciprocally related to: we too flourish and fall under the consequences of our actions, or inactions (Romans 8:19-23).
With that in mind, may I commend our Monday evening Lent Course to you? Offered by USPG, the resource “For Such A Time As This” is a thoughtfully produced look at ecology and the environment; exploring themes of Creation, The Fall, Salvation, Restoration and ReCreation.
This six week course helps us to think beyond the individualised responses towards creation that most people inevitably have. We do our part in what we purchase, eat, travel and recycle – yet the news still shouts at us that this is not enough. But this is not the nature of responsibility that God gives to each of us. It is the Biblical paradox that we embody the limitations and short-comings of the flesh; yet we are God’s gift to one another. By His grace, God has given Jesus, (who knows what it is to be flesh), and, as a Creator, loves us even though we are limited. (I have a small bundle of spare copies of the course booklet, so, if you haven’t received one and would like to, please contact me at the Vicarage (01422 363623) and we will get one to you).
As we move into this time of Lent, this passage from Isaiah about fasting concludes with the striking challenge, asking; will you continue to ‘hide yourself from your own flesh?’ The story of the Christian hope holds inter-dependency at its core, in stark contrast with any individualist ideals of living and thriving (1 Corinthians 12:26). As a result, our care of the environment must surely include a collective action that extends towards the trees, plants, mammals, fish and birds, as well as the people who are being impacted every day by the changes we see in climate and landscape?
Hebrews 10:24 wonderfully reminds us to ‘consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good works.’ Let us encourage one another, so as to increase our individual, household and church impact upon climate change.
On a final note, we have had the benefit of time with which to prepare for Lent during lockdown this year. We are regularly reviewing the opening of the church for worship, and will be considering this again after the next government review. We sincerely hope to be able to offer our Holy Week and Easter services in church as well as online.
In the meantime, for those online, we have Zoom and Facebook services, we also offer the same services on YouTube, and this can be accessed by some televisions, without necessarily having internet. Phoning in to Zoom on either landline or mobile is now also an option for those without an internet connection who would like to join in the service. When phoning in, you will be able to hear all that happens and contribute to discussion, all at your normal cost for a local phone call. If you plan to do this and want a copy of the prayers, activities etc being used, please call the Vicarage and we can arrange that for you.
Let us pray, as we journey through these 40 days, that we will draw closer to our Saviour in those desert days and that our prayer and reflection will help us to grow in wisdom and joy in His saving love. Amen
Caroline
Holy Week and Easter Services
Services in church (subject to local lockdown restrictions)
28th March Palm Sunday 9:30am
2nd April Good Friday 7:00pm
(Taize service – available prerecorded on line but not on Zoom if churches can open)
Services on Zoom (also available on YouTube and Facebook)
To access all of these services, please use the link that we use for Sunday Worship.
28th March Palm Sunday 11:00am
1st April Maundy Thursday 7:00pm (Communion)
2nd April Good Friday 10:30am
4th April Easter Sunday 11:00am
St Hilda's Church, Halifax 