Walking the Journey of Lent

I usually approach the season of Lent with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

There’s excitement at this opportunity that comes my way annually over a 40 day period to deepen my spiritual life. It’s an invitation to be more intentional about things, and so I try to prepare a bit in advance. I choose a book or two I would like to read, I make decisions about giving up some treats like sweets, chocolate and alcohol. I try to plan out and engage with special services that will happen in the coming weeks in the Church.

This year I’m excited about thinking through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’s teaching in Matthew chapters 5-7 through the writing and the lens of the German theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Ryan, our curate, who has studied the work of Bonhoeffer extensively, will be leading our devotionals on Thursday nights, beginning this Thursday 19th February.

One of the aspects of Lent which I appreciate very much, is the idea that the journey we take with Jesus to the Cross over this season is a journey that we share together. We have different starting points, depending on how our lives are going right now. For some, it all seems relatively smooth at the present moment, for others they are doing their best to get to the next hour as the overwhelming challenges and pressures seem to pile up, and shooting up desperate prayers asking for help seem to be the mechanism some have to use to survive.

I like to remember that, however weak or faltering my steps towards closer discipleship might look like, and even if they fail, I can get up and go again in the strength and grace that Jesus is offering me. This is so important, as there are voices within our own head which love to point out those failings and how ineffectual we are as followers of Jesus. The scriptures, as Jesus reminds us, are the greatest weapon at our disposal for putting Satan and those undermining voices in their place .

I also value the knowledge that these endeavours to deepen my spiritual life are shared with Christians all over the world. Sometimes, we feel isolated in our practices, but so many churches and communities will be observing this season and inviting people to walk the journey together.

It’s a journey that can’t be rushed. We need to take our time and settle ourselves into this rhythm of giving our spiritual life some attention and reminding ourselves of that important goal of becoming more Christlike.

As we follow this path, I get apprehensive contemplating what might be ahead. I know Jesus himself faced opposition, misunderstanding and suffering. The shadow of the Cross and His crucifixion loomed largely over him at various points on the journey. Stripping our lives back to simpler living, observing particular disciplines like prayer, silence and reflection on the scriptures, can leave us feeling quite vulnerable. We become aware of our shortcomings, and how rapidly the wheels can come off if we make poor choices, and how challenging it can be to get up and go again.

The more intentional I am about this journey, the more purpose and direction I find and the more of a refuge I find in that relationship and connection with Jesus as the anchor and stronghold of my life.

If you are living in East Belfast, and are curious to travel the journey with our church community on Thursdays at 7.30 pm, please know you would be most welcome to St. Finnians. We are excited, also, to have some honest and inspiring individuals coming to share their spiritual journey with us during Holy Week, each night at 7.30 pm from Monday 30th March to Thursday 2nd April.

We would love you to pray also for our young people travelling this Friday to Castlewellan Castle for an exciting weekend of worship, sports, games, Bible teaching and fellowship. They will be joining with other young people from right across our diocese and their leaders. Ryan, our curate, will be accompanying our youth group and some friends on this exciting journey.

Look forward to speaking again soon and wishing you a blessed Lent.

Much love to everyone,

Jono.

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