I love these moments, these Trysting Places, with Our Beloved. With Vicky (and Whitney – see below) I must learn to go there not only when I am in a good place but also when all I want to do is hide in the bushes.
I have learnt that if I don’t aim to listen, if I don’t decide to set aside other voices – especially my own – I stand no chance of hearing any of the gentle whispers of Jesus.
The answer, the only possible antidote to hate is not revenge but love. For only as we love those who hate us and God do we show that we have allowed the love of God to pierce our hearts and conquer our selfishness.
In the glow of the glory of God we can bask and find ourselves blessed not because of any achievement of our own but because God smiles on all things.
However we meet or name God’s Love or wherever we have been we remain loved and welcome.
It is the open hands of Christ not clenched fists which, when nailed to the cross, bring us freedom.
Whenever we hold on to something all we are doing is filling up space with dross instead of letting it be suffused with the love of the One Who Loves us Best.
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;
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.’
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’.
Suffolk Vicar 