South Cardiff Ministry Area

Just Lent | March 11

‘Lead your people to pasture. As in the days when you came out of Egypt grant us to see wonders.

(see Micah 7:14-15,18-20)

In a memoir called, ‘In the Wars,’ Dr Waheed Arian, tells the story of his childhood caught up in the war in Afghanistan, finally fleeing to the UK where he trained as a doctor and where he works today in emergency medicine as well as pioneering an international medicine charity which changes lives around the world. He recalls how one day, as a child, his father had told him of their new plans. ‘We are going on a journey, Waheed,’ he told me. ‘To a peaceful place where we can all be safe together. ’‘Where is it?’ [I asked.] He put his arm around my shoulders and pointed to a distant peak, ‘Do you see that mountain over there?’ I nodded. ‘Just beyond that mountain.’ The journey was fraught with danger. It was a journey that many people didn’t make, but Waheed and his family finally arrived at that place of safety, although it was by no means the end of their journey. More danger lay ahead. Perhaps, for them, there was always a place, just beyond the mountain.

Millions of people are displaced by war, seeking sanctuary – sometimes by any means possible to them. Many are moved by traffickers who take a fee. For many the route is dangerous, and can even lead in death. May we create a culture of welcome and concern for all those who leave their homes behind in search of safety and peace. May they be treated with understanding and compassion by governments and communities. The family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took refuge in Egypt, so may all come to a place of safety and love.

PRAY FOR all displaced by war and danger, and for a compassionate response from governments and communities

Our daily reflections for Lent focus on the many injustices which exist in our world, as we seek to connect our life of prayer to social justice, the Justice of God which Christ proclaimed. More resources are available at www.southcardiffministryarea.co.uk/just-lent

Just Lent | March 10

‘It was the stone rejected by builders which became the keystone.’

(see Matthew 18:18-20)

Famously, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for a total of 27 years. He became President of South Africa in the early 1990s, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for bringing apartheid to an end. ‘I have fought against white domination, and have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It’s an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.’ His was indeed a ‘long walk to freedom.’

Jesus experienced for himself acts of injustice, imprisonment, deep pain and death, rejected by those he came to save. He was the suffering servant, who came to serve not to be served and to give his life as a ransom for many. He laid down his life for his sheep.

The long walk to freedom is fraught with pain and difficulties but the dream of Mandela was realised. The world is not perfect, and there are still many injustices to fight, globally and locally. But if we trust in God’s justice, we too can play our part for standing up for what is right, and realising God’s Kingdom of justice, love and peace.

PRAY FOR those who fight against racism on a political and institutional level, and for our own courageous response to injustice in the world.

Just Lent | March 9

‘At his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, who longed to fill himself with scraps that fell from the rich man’s table’

(see Luke 16:19-31)

The gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow. Globally, the richest 10% of the global population currently take home 52% of the income. The poorest half of the global population earn just 8 per cent.

And what of the UK? Well, the gap that exists in the UK has been amongst the worst in Europe. Poverty was on the rise before the Covid-19 crisis hit the UK. Between 2020 and 2021 the income of the UK’s poorest fifth of the population dropped by two per cent. In the last decade, the average income of the richest fifth of the population increased by more than nine percent, The average income of the poorest fifth of the population remained the same.

Behind every statistic is a real lived experience of a human being. In the story Jesus tells to illustrate his point he gives the poor man a name, Lazarus. The story colourfully illustrates the inequalities which exist in the world, and how each of us has an opportunity to respond to need and to work for change. The story takes us through the circumstances of rich and poor in this world and comes to a climax in eternity. As Christians, we set our heart on the life of Heaven and eternity, which guides and moves how we live here on earth. But to quote the strapline used by Christian Aid, ‘We believe in life before death.’ We have a duty of care for all.

PRAY FOR the affluent and the rich, and for those who have the power and position to make change, and for all who struggle financially.

Will you stand with us ?

Here’s the closing litany of prayer from our second JUST LENT course session which explored issues of solidarity with the poor and the vulnerable, and our calling to strengthen community

You, who look beyond the scorched mountain,
with hopes of a safe place,
seek a paradise compared to the pounding of the earth by missiles and explosives
which disrupted and destroyed your home,
whilst we sit here so comfortably
and where only rain falls from our sky.

We stand with you.

You, who reach your hand into the deep back of the sofa
looking for coins, like lost treasure,
or count pennies found at the back of the drawer
for bus fare to the next job interview.

We stand with you.

You, who share what you have with others,
give of your time and your talents,
and fall into bed after a day of work and worth
as you try to make the world a better place.

We stand with you.

You, who have given up some time ago on seeking work,
because your name does not fit,
or your postcode means your application is overlooked,
raises alarm bells of discrimination.

We stand with you.

You, who skirt the supermarket aisles
avoiding the security guards and cameras,
to walk out with a meal for the night,
hidden beneath your coat.

We stand with you.

You, who take to politics to change the world,
and find the decisions too difficult to make,
but remain to fight your corner,
and walk the unpopular route.

We stand with you.

You, who bow your head into the Foodbank’s doorway,
clutching an empty bag,
waiting for your tinned food
to take home to make the most of other’s giving.

We stand with you.

You, who take the whistle to your lips,
shuffle your studded feet on muddy ground,
and kick a ball around with the young,
to let them know you care and they have a future.

We stand with you.

You, who speak to power,
although you feel so powerless and feel like giving up
when the odds are stacked against you.

We stand with you.

Sovereign God,
whose Word took flesh,
living as one of us,
standing alongside us
living for us.
May we stand with him now,
present in the poor and the vulnerable,
calling us to create communities of love and peace,
strengthening the weak,
and raising up all who are bowed down with burdens too great to bear alone.
May we, your church, speak out against injustice,
and be open to the unsettling power of your Spirit,
who empowers us to bring change
and believe in the possibilities of your Kingdom.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Just Lent | March 8

‘Come on,’ they said, let us concoct a plan against Jeremiah’

(see Jeremiah 18:18-20)

Work is not just a means to earn a living, it is also an opportunity to participate in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then so are the basic rights of workers. From the first pages of Scripture we see that work is an essential part of human dignity, and throughout Scripture there is a call for workers to be treated fairly, and to be paid a just and living wage. In the UK the Real Living Work campaign works to encourage employers to pay their workers a salary which relates to the cost of living rather than the government’s version of the Living Wage.

Scripture reminds us that work and economics is not profit and production but the dignity of the human being. Workers also have the rights to form associations for their own interests and protection which we know as Trade Unions.

There are many ways in which workers have been exploited by the rich. Many of these came to light in the Industrial revolution when workers were paid with low wages and worked long hours or in dangerous circumstances. But this also continue in many ways in our on day, throughout the world and in our own country. There may be examples, too, when individuals are discriminated against with unfair treatment or dismissal, or where bullying takes place in the workplace. All of this undermines the dignity of what it means to be human.

PRAY FOR all employers, that they may treat their workers with justice and fairness, mindful of their needs and dignity

Just Lent | March 7

‘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, more inclusive, and more fair. Some people may call it ‘political correctness gone mad.’ But, for us as Christians, it’s about recognising the dignity of every human being who has been made in the image of God.

In his book, ‘Jews Don’t Count,’ the comedian David Baddiel shares his perceptions and experiences of antisemitism. He explains that, on so many occasions amongst all the discriminations and racisms called out in society today, antisemitism is often overlooked. In an associated documentary of the book, Baddiel meets Jason Lee, a black footballer whom, some years ago, Baddiel portrayed in a way he now admits was racist. ‘What we lost sight of in those sketches was the human being on the other end,’ he told Lee. Baddiel apologised, and although the two didn’t part as friends, it was perhaps example of how we can learn from our mistakes. We can so often be unconsciously biased or racist and forget the human being on the other end.

‘Cease to do evil, learn to do good, search for justice,’’ is the call of Isaiah. Can we be willing to continue to ‘learn’ and to be open to having our perceptions and language changed, to listen to the lived experience of others, and so create a society where all feel included, respected and treated with dignity?

PRAY FOR an alertness to our own unconscious bias, and an eagerness and openness to listen to the lived experience of others.

Just Lent | March 6

‘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 of those who have received a prison sentence for a crime they have committed as being vulnerable or deserving of compassion. However, half of prisoners are at or below the level expected of an 11 year old in reading, two-thirds in numeracy and four-fifth is writing. All the research suggests that the men and women in British prisons today are extraordinarily disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals. Compared with the general population, prisoners are thirteen times more likely to have been in care as a child, thirteen times as likely to have been unemployed, ten times as likely to have been a truant at or excluded from school, and five times as likely to have been in receipt of benefits.

Society is always, quite rightly, keen for justice for the victims of crime but there must always be room for rehabilitation of the offender. How compassionate are we towards those released from prison? Are we as compassionate as our Heavenly Father is compassionate, as compassionate as Christ who died between two convicted criminals, and promised paradise?

PRAY FOR those in prison and for their families, for all who work in the Prison and Probation Services, and that we may show understanding and patience with those who are trying to rehabilitate their lives.

Just Lent | March 4

‘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 that sits comfortably with many of us. So perhaps Jesus’ command to love our enemies and pray for those who hate you is indeed challenging. And yet, as he hung upon the cross, accompanied by two convicted thieves, he speaks words of forgiveness , “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’

Scarlett Lewis’ son, Jesse, was killed in a 2012 School shooting un the US. At first, she said, she felt like her anger sapped all her strength and energy. She naturally harboured deep anger at the shooter and his mother for unwittingly arming him. Eventually she made a choice to forgive. “Forgiveness felt like I was given a big pair of scissors to cut the tie and regain my personal power. It started with a choice and then became a process.” At Jesse’s funeral, she urged mourners to change their angry thoughts into loving ones, so that they might change the world.

For her, the act of forgiving was transformative. Whilst forgiveness is difficult, particularly in such extreme circumstances, it can challenge injustice in a way that is unique and long lasting. It is liberating and life-giving.

PRAY FOR those who have hurt or harmed you, or who are antagonistic or impatient with you, and for all who find it difficult to forgive.

Our daily reflections for Lent focus on the many injustices which exist in our world, as we seek to connect our life of prayer to social justice the Justice of God which Christ proclaimed. More resources are available at www.southcardiffministryarea.co.uk/just-lent

Just Lent | March 3

‘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 intent on war or when negotiations no longer seem possible.

When we think of some of the situations in the world today and the association that certain past and present leaders have with war, the words of Henri Nouwen are challenging but profound. “As a community of peacemakers it is our task first of all to recognize and affirm the great human gifts the warmakers carry within themselves. As much as we have to confess our own dark forces to each other, so much do we have to reveal the gifts of peace in those who lives and works we hope to change. We have to see them as caring, loving, concerned human beings, who, just as we, desire peace and freedom, even though they are for fighting their way to it.”

How can we apply this wisdom to our own lives? Part of the process of reconciliation is accepting our own fears and shortcomings, and trying to find shared ground upon which we can walk in peace, appealing to the peaceful and loving qualities of the person with whom we seek peace. The ground is fragile indeed. May God’s Love enable us to tread carefully.

PRAY FOR those who negotiate for peace, and those who make war that they may recognise their ability to create peace without aggression or force.

Just Lent | March 2

‘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 of Martin Luther King come to mind whose stance against racism in the US led to his death. In our own day, there are people such as Malala Yusafzai who spoke out about education for girls under a Taliban regime which led to her being shot in the head. Thankfully she survived and has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, as she continue with her campaign from the UK.

Whilst we may not live in such an extreme situation as experienced by Malala, we do witness injustice closer to home. Do we prefer to remain silent? ‘All that is needed for evil to triumph in the world is for good men to do nothing,’ is a quote attributed to the Irish statesman Edmund Burke in the 18th century.

We pray that, when faced by injustice we will have the courage to speak up and to make a difference, to proclaim God’s Kingdom of Love and Peace, to be a prophetic voice in the world, and to put our words into action.

PRAY FOR those girls and women in countries that do not allow them an education, and for the courage to speak up against injustice.