Hi Lord, did you not see my message?

Hi, Lord, did you not see my message to you last week? Are you like some of my other friends? They never read my emails and if they open them, they must quickly read what is written without fully taking in what I am saying. They seem also to fail to notice my telephone number or other ways of knowing how to contact me. I have not heard any response from you either. I don’t want to be rude but like last week’s Gospel I think you have gone ‘over the top’, as we say. Surely you are not suggesting I have to share my wealth more evenly and love people I find a challenge, who have a different faith to me, or none, and whose behaviour I find reprehensible. I hope the vicar can give me some reassurance this Sunday that you do not really mean what I read in today’s Gospel if I want to be a faithful disciple. Here’s hoping!

As we ponder and think of the demands of this week’s Gospel (Luke, Chapter 6, verses 27-38), we are fast approaching the season of Lent. Traditionally Lent has been a time of ‘fasting, prayer and alms giving’. A time to reflect on our own faith journey and to set aside extra time for the reading of scripture. We begin Lent this year on 1 March in South Darebin with Shrove Tuesday at 6 pm, then the following day, Ash Wednesday at 7 am and 10.30 am. Details are in the Weekly News. For the season of Lent, we are to make a special effort for Missions, namely Anglican Board of Mission and Anglican Overseas Aid. There will be a gold coin box at the entrance to both churches at each service and I am inviting and encouraging us all to donate a gold coin each week. The amount collected will be shared with the two Mission agencies. Please be generous.

Shalom

Ray