Author Archives: Dean Atkins

‘Cease to do evil, learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow’ (see Isaiah 1:10,16-20) Our changing perceptions of the world can challenge us.  Just think about how our use of language has changed, and continues to change, in order to become less offensive,Continue reading “Just Lent | March 7”

‘Be compassionate as your Heavenly Father is compassionate.’ (see Luke 6:36-38) When we speak of justice, we often mean justice for someone who has been harmed or had a crime committed against them, which also means punishment for the person who has committed the crime. It may be difficult for many people to think ofContinue reading “Just Lent | March 6”

‘Love your enemies and pray for those who hate you.’ (see Matthew 5:43-48) Perhaps we find it easier to pray for those whom we love or like. Filling our prayers with those we find difficult or even those we hate or who may have hurt or harmed us in some way is not something thatContinue reading “Just Lent | March 4”

‘Leave your offering there at the altar, and be reconciled with your brother.’ (see Matthew 5:20-26) Those who negotiate for peace carry a heavy burden indeed, and politicians, leaders and governments have to tread carefully upon fragile ground. There are always difficult decisions to make, particularly when dealing with a strong aggressor who seems intentContinue reading “Just Lent | March 3”

‘As for me, give me courage. Put persuasive words into my mouth when I face the lion.’ (see Esther 4:17) Fighting injustice and speaking out can lead us to a precarious place.  Many individuals throughout history and in our time have faced danger and even death for standing up and standing out.  The likes ofContinue reading “Just Lent | March 2”

‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign’ (see Luke 11:29-32) We can sometimes look back on previous generations with a certain sense of alarm and smugness, blessed with hindsight, and think of ourselves as far more civilised and enlightened than they were!  Similarly, we even look at the cultures and practicesContinue reading “Just Lent | March 1”

‘Forgive us our debts as we forgive those who are against us.’ (see Matthew 6:7-15) The prayer we know as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ and learned by heart as a child, forms part of the staple diet of prayer for all Christians.  It is prayed at times of joy and sadness, celebration and misery, and providesContinue reading “Just Lent | February 28”

‘When did we see you hungry and feed you?’ (see Matthew 25:31-46) We spend much time and money on the worship of the Church, and maintaining the building and preparing the liturgical space because we want to offer our best to God, and to discover his presence in the beauty of worship.  However, we knowContinue reading “Just Lent | February 27”

‘‘If you do away with the clenched fist, the wicked word, if you give your bread to the hungry, relief to the oppressed, your light will rise in the darkness.’ (see Isaiah 58:9-14) There is a growing number of Foodbanks in the UK.  We hear so much about those who struggle with food poverty orContinue reading “Just Lent | February 25”

‘They ask me for laws that are just, they long for God to draw near’ (see Isaiah 58:1-9) Laws are, of course, important for the safety and security of all and enable citizens to live responsibly.  There are, though, still some rather outdated and maybe outlandish laws in the UK.  For example, under an 1839Continue reading “Just Lent | February 24”