In the Gospels Jesus praises the gifts of two people, Mary with her pint of pure nard and the elderly woman at the Temple with her widow’s mite. Their gifts differ greatly in value, but their offering is the same;
Faith is trusting when nothing is explained.
We persevere whatever our failings or falling during Lent because
‘It’s time for us to live the songs we sing
And turn our good intentions into action.’
If our Lord does not despair of us, we must not despair of ourselves.
One day, whether we like plainsong or hymns, choruses or Latin chant, we will all sing together forever. Perhaps, especially if the worship where we find ourselves is not familiar or to our taste, we need to learn to ‘Join the song’.
He will not despair even of us – even of me.
Our Beloved, though we are unworthy, is, ‘captivated by us’(!) and our only response must be to allow our hearts to be stolen and spend the next 40 Days at least being ’Captivated by Him’.
‘Lord, this I wish to be, this I desire,
and what Thou seest wanting in me, do Thou,
I beseech Thee, vouchsafe to supply’
Lent starts tomorrow and we have the gift os Shrove Tuesday to clear the shelves of our spiritual pantry to make way for all the blessings of the next 40 days.
Is all holy in my heart? Is all that issues forth in words and in deeds stamped with the hallmark of holiness?
Suffolk Vicar 