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Dear
Friends,
A couple of thoughts to weave together. This month sees the start
of Lent. Ash Wednesday is February to be exact. When we get to the
start of Lent we tend to feel that spring is never far away (though
did you notice that chocolate Easter bunnies appeared in the shops
before Epiphany!!).
Lent is a time for discernment and for taking us deeper into the
life of God. On the wall of my study and just above my desk (just
beyond my computer and printer, to be exact) is a large framed
picture which presents the word “Be still and know that I am God.”
It is word art really. It is there to be remind me that when things
get frenetic that there is that still centre. I set this alongside
the latest film that Helena and I have been to see at the cinema, The
Artist.
If you haven’t been to see it as yet, we do recommend it. It is one
of the hit films of the year. It is unusual in that it is made in
black and white and it is also a silent fi lm. So far it has won some
Golden Globe awards, and it is in line for some BAFTAs and no doubt
some Oscars as well.
Because there is no spoken words in the film (except for at that
very, very end) you have to spend much more time taking in the
visual representation and indeed what is being done and said through
the music. At fi rst it does strike you as very odd that there are no
words for we have all become so very familiar with that form of
communication in films. Indeed I believe that some of those who have
been to see this silent film have actually complained afterwards and
have wanted their money back!!
However as the film continues you do find yourself adjusting to the
forms of information that you take in What is before is actually
rich in meaning.
Lent sees Jesus in the wilderness. For him it was a time of silence
when we had to focus on his own internal spiritual life. However you
want to understand the accounts it was not a time of comfort. In
Mark’s gospel the mention of the “wild animals” (Mark 1.13) makes
that clear. In Matthew and Luke we get the more developed story of
the Temptations.
However out of this time his sense of God and calling grew much
stronger and clearer. The practice of giving things up for Lent can
seem a little bit silly. For some particular reason we do get hung
up about chocolate. However we are not the spiritual version of
Weightwatchers. Instead of that it is more to do with allowing the
deeper senses to emerge stronger than before and with that a better
sense of God.
Christian Aid typically offers Lenten devotions, and these can we
found onlineat www.surefish.co.uk. Beyond that for our Churches
Together in Clifton, Cotham
and Redland there will be the Lent lecture series. This year, and
arising out of a concern about the riots last year, the series looks
at chaos and order
and how we offer a Christian response.
Speakers include the Lord Dear, Judge James Patrick, Matthew van
Duyvenbode of Bible Society, and the Reverend Helen Matthews from
Bromley by Bow URC.
The various lectures will pick up on current themes. In all of this we
seek to understand that deeper way of living that Jesus came to
bring.
Dougie
February 2011 | 
