This week, our third session of our JUST LENT course aims to explore poverty, its presenting needs and the causes of poverty and how and why Christians should respond. Join us at St Saviour’s Church, Splott on Wednesday 15 March at 7pm. The following reflection sets the scene.
In the shadow of the Wales Millennium Centre, famous for song and drama, music and theatre, is the statue of a son of Cardiff, Ivor Novello, a Welsh actor, dramatist, singer and composer. He was one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the twentieth century. The Ivor Novello Awards for song writing and composing are named after him.
Songs speak to us and speak into our situation. They can revive us and express how we feel, whether its sorrow or pain, as we take the tunes and the sentiments of someone else and apply them to our own situation. Music unites us – whether in choirs, on the terraces, singing our national anthem, or songs of resilience and demonstration.
In another song in the hill country of Judah, Mary’s prayer spills out. Her song is inspired by the words of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10). Perhaps as she made that solitary Journey to Elizabeth, she could relate to the experience of Hannah and the sentiments included, and she made it her own, and allowed the words to express how she was feeling. It is a song which praises God for all he is doing, and it is filled with strong and challenging images, of raising up the poor, pulling down princes from their thrones, sending the rich away, empowering the weak and the vulnerable. (Luke 1:39-45)
Throughout his life, Jesus reached out to the poor, he spoke up for the poor. He showed God’s special concern and love for them and has given us a lived experience of how we should respond to those in need. If God has love for the poor, then we are called to respond in the same way as Christians, not simply responding to need but also challenging the roots and causes of poverty. Then, perhaps, we will experience what is meant by God’s justice for the poor.
Magnificat
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me,and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
South Cardiff Ministry Area 