Reflections for Lent
2017 Lent Reflection
REFLECTIONS for LENT
There is a changed rhythm and ‘feel’ for the Season of Lent, leading to Easter. To contribute to this sense, the Newsletter will be different for the six (6) Sundays between now and Easter. The Worship Team are providing poems as reflections for Lent. They are for your time and thoughts, to enter more fully into Lent’s invitation.
* Give your reading of this some ‘space’; allow it time.
* Maybe come back to it.
* Let it become your Lent Prayer
[Hard copies available when you come to worship if you wish]
These are from this community’s own Sarah Agnew, Biblical story-teller, currently undertaking PhD studies in Edinburgh.
Participants in tyranny. A confession
Lent 1: Matthew 4:1–11
If you are the Son of God,
take away my crying
If you are the Son of God,
take away her dying
If you are the Son of God,
take him away in his lying
If you are the Son of God,
show us you are even trying?!
Jesus is the Son of God,
and he takes away our turning,
and the consequences of burning
our bridges back to God.
Jesus is the Son of God
and he gives us back our living,
restores the bridges so we can turn
back to the Way of God
Son of God
you take away all our tyranny;
have mercy on us,
and grant us peace.
Amen
* ‘participants in tyranny’ is how I translate ‘sinners’ in my performance of
Romans for my PhD. Also available at : http://praythestory.blogspot.com.au/
Lent 2: 12 March
Psalm 121
I lift my eyes
from world to sky,
from where will I find help?
My help will come
from Holy One,
maker of earth and sky.
Beneath your feet
the ground may tremble,
but you will never fall;
Holy One slumbers not,
is watchful ever
over the people of God.
Holy One will keep you,
Holy One will save you,
from trouble and from harm.
Fear not the sun’s hot flame,
nor moon’s shards of silver;
Holy One will be your shield.
Holy One will keep you,
Holy One will hold you;
your life is precious to God.
Holy One will keep you,
Holy One will seek you,
going and coming and ever more.
Lift your eyes
towards the light,
however thick the dark;
help will come
from Holy One,
maker of day and night.
© Sarah Agnew praythestory.blogspot.com
Lent 3: 19 March
beside Jacob’s well
John 4:5-42
By the well of Jacob,
Jesus met a woman;
by the well of Jacob,
on foreign, enemy land.
By the well of Jacob,
Jesus asked the woman:
from the well of Jacob
to draw him, please, a drink.
By the well of Jacob
the woman asked him, Why,
by the well of Jacob he came,
he stopped, he spoke?
By the well of Jacob
Jesus told her of water
that neither the well of Jacob,
nor any other well could supply.
By the well of Jacob,
her thirst fast awakened
by the well of Jesus,
holy mystery of life.
To the well of Jacob
she summoned her neighbours – friends;
where, at the well of Jacob,
once she had been alone.
By the well of Jacob,
Jesus’ friends now returned;
by the well of Jacob,
you’re doing what? They were bemused.
By the well of Jacob,
they offered him food to eat;
at the well of Life I eat,
by living the Way of Love.
By the well of Jacob,
Jesus met a woman;
by the well of Jacob,
on foreign, enemy land.
© Sarah Agnew praythestory.blogspot.com
Lent 4: 26 March
I am the light
John 9:1-41
I am the light of the world,
he said, the sight of the blind,
the fight of the weak, the height
of the small, the plight of the poor,
the blight of the rich and powerful,
spreading shadows and dust on
the earth: I, earth, am your light,
open your eyes and see.
© Sarah Agnew praythestory.blogspot.com