South Cardiff Ministry Area

Just Lent | March 18

‘Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.’

(see Luke 18:9-14)

Kevin Maxwell was a dream candidate for the police force—passionate, hard-working and keen to serve his community. And, as a gay black man from a working class family he could easily have been a poster boy for the Force’s stated commitment to equal opportunities. Instead he came up against entrenched prejudice, open racism and homophobia.

In his book, Forced Out, his last paragraph goes, “As I began rebuilding my life after being forced out and the devastation that followed, and find a place where I can be at peace with this world, with who I am and what I am, and write the next chapter of my story, I say to all those fighting for a better world: never waver in your absolute belief that you can and will triumph.’

In the face of so many injustices in our world, one can feel like giving up altogether, believing that those in power will always win. Jesus was quite clear about power and leadership, and for him it was underpinned by the promise that those who are humbled will be exalted. His Kingdom of Justice is so often in contradiction with many of the values and experiences of the world—and also of the Church, which is not immune itself to being unjust. May we listen to the oppressed, challenge the powerful, and be alert to our own bias and discrimination.

PRAY FOR those who suffer racism, homophobia or transphobia, and all who have had their freedoms taken away, and for a true recognition of our own personal prejudices

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 17

‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

(see Mark 12:28-34)

These days, far more people are aware of (and are open and honest about) Mental Health. There have been so many campaigns encouraging people to talk about their feelings, and offering many ways in which we can improve our mental health and become more emotionally resilient. With far more public understanding, the stigma of poor mental health is slowly being eradicated although we still have some way to go, and there is much need for more investment in Mental Health Services.

Sometimes, the smallest gesture can help. Perhaps simply asking someone how they are, and being willing to listen. Likewise, we shouldn’t feel embarrassed by asking for help ourselves. As the beautiful book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy,’ says, ‘Asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s refusing to give up.’ Having a care for ourselves is as important as caring for others. The two go hand in hand. How can we love our neighbour as ourselves if we don’t love ourselves very much?

When Jesus stooped to wash his disciples feet in an act of loving service, Peter refused at first. Sometimes, we may find it difficult to seek help, or may be too proud or too embarrassed. Likewise, we may not recognise the voice of those crying for help but there are opportunities each day to make a difference.

PRAY FOR a true care and love of ourselves so that we can care and love for others, and for better understanding of those with poor mental health.

Just Lent | March 16

‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.’

(see Luke 11:14-23)

There is a saying, favoured by Citizens UK, a Community Organising group, that goes, ‘If you don’t have a seat at the table then you’re probably on the menu.’ Citizens UK is made of local chapters with member groups from all walks and areas of life to create an Alliance for change in their local communities. It is built upon relational power, forging links of common interest between community members and those in power.

There are many occasions when people’s voice and experience is overlooked, and well minded (and sometimes not so well-minded) politicians and others may make decisions without consultation or any insight into the lives of those they will affect.

Jesus gathered and created a community of people, and in challenging so many injustices experienced in the world, he tore down walls, crossed boundaries, and welcomed the outcast, raising up the poor. The Church is involved in working with others in the community, of all faiths and none, to address need and strengthen community life so that the lives of all can be enriched, and all people can flourish.

PRAY FOR those involved in Community Organising throughout the country, and for strong and resilient communities here and everywhere so that all may flourish

You were poor

In this week’s JUST LENT course, we explored poverty and how our Christian Faith compels us to respond to need, and the causes of poverty. This prayer wraps up our conversation as we reflect on the poverty of Christ.


You were poor
when they wrapped you in tight bands of cloth,
and placed you in a feeding trough
for stinking shepherds from the night-time shift to see
what has been signed to them.

You were poor
when you fled to the pyramid land of Egypt
seeking safety in the place that once enslaved your own people,
as we waited for a new Exodus,
a liberation of love.

You were poor
when you moved away from your Nazareth home,
and found nowhere to lay your head,
the foxes’ heads more comfortably laid,
the birds of the air branched and nested,
as you walked the border lands of difference and danger.

You were poor
when, stripped of your clothing,
they hung you high
between two thieves,
your strange companions in death,
as you promised paradise
even though all seemed lost.

You were poor
when from a borrowed tomb
you rose from death
to pour peace upon your friends,
breathing out a new life,
and a new way

Just Lent | March 15

‘Do not forget the things your eyes have seen. Rather tell them to your children, and your children’s children.’

(see Deuteronomy 4:1,5-9) )

In a 2022, in a BBC documentary about the identity of Wales called ‘Who do We Think We Are?’ the broadcaster Huw Edwards interviewed Gaynor Legal, a Butetown resident and the first Black Councillor in the country. She was being asked about the multicultural community that had been built up in the historic Tiger Bay area of Cardiff. ‘Is it fair to say that the heritage you represent has not been properly recognised?’ he asked. ’I think it was totally ignored,’ she replied, ’the powers that be saw it best to bury it, they didn’t see it as an asset… the history of this area has been totally erased with the developments.’

There is a well known phrase, that “History is written by the Victors.” History often tells a one sided view, forcing the victor’s narrative on the people, and even eradicating the experience, history and heritage of others. Moses reminded the people to remember, value and pass on for generations to come all the things they have seen and heard, so that the narrative of faith and the heritage of a whole people will continue to exist, be valued and passed on.

Each of us has a story to tell, and the experiences of whole communities are an important part of the narrative. It is their story to tell and an important one to hear.

PRAY FOR those who work to collect social history, and for a free and open telling and cherishing of a narrative that is truly representative of all people.

Just Lent | March 14

‘We have no leader, no prophet, no prince.. no place where we can offer you the first fruits and win your favour’

(see Daniel 3:25,34-43)

Freedom of Religion of belief is a human right which has been guaranteed under international law since 1966. Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, states that ‘everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religions.’ And yet, in many countries throughout the world this is not a given right, and many people of faith receive threats, imprisonment or even death for their faith.

Over 360 million Christians suffer persecution and discrimination around the world. They follow Jesus, no matter the cost. The most dangerous places include Afghanistan, North Korea, Somalia, Libya and Yemen. I5,898 Christians were murdered for their faith in 2022 reports the Charity, Open Doors.

In the Book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meschah and Abednego refused to worship the idol fashioned by King Nebuchadnezzar on pain of death, and remained faithful to their God and religion. In all countries, including our own, all people should have this freedom of religion, and each of us has a responsibility to protect the freedoms of others, and to expect the same consideration in return.

PRAY FOR freedom of religion throughout the world, for persecuted Christians and peoples of all faiths, that we may live in a country and a world safe from fear.

Just Lent | March 13

‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.’

(see Luke 4:24-30)

In what turned out to be a humorous exchange between an MP and the Archbishop of Canterbury at the end of 2022 (as bishops preached about the decision of the UK Government to send refugees to Rwanda) a Tory MP said that Bishops shouldn’t be preaching from the pulpit and reminded them to stay out of politics. The Archbishop of Canterbury thanked him for his feedback and said “I look forward to advice on what we should be doing in the pulpit” followed by, “Just to confirm we’ll be continuing to preach the Gospel of Christ.”

This is a common response from some politicians when the Church speaks out, confirming their belief that Christians and the Church have no right to comment, have an opinion or challenge. This is a foreign concept to us and illustrates a narrow minded view of what our Faith is all about. We are not simply people who gather together for nice services, say our prayers and read the Bible. Our faith in God affects the whole of our lives and how we live in the world. Worship and serving, prayer and action go hand in hand.

As Jesus challenged injustice and reached out to the poor and vulnerable, so he calls us to do the same. We believe the world belongs to God, for he made it. Not only does the Church have a right to speak out, it has an obligation to do so. We are called to stand alongside the poor and vulnerable, to love as Jesus loved, to stand up for justice.

PRAY FOR the courage to be a prophetic Church, mindful too of our own shortcomings and sinfulness, but working together to create a strong and loving

A Song for the Poor

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.’

You saw that all was good

A meditation featured in our JUST LENT course focussing on the dignity of humanity and all of creation

From the dust you raised us,
breathing into our lungs
as we emerged into a startling world,
finding our way.
You looked at us
and saw that all was good.
And as the first light reflected in our eyes,
you saw the beauty of your own Son’s face,
staring back.

You grew into our world,
which was your world,
shedding the cloths which had wrapped your infant form,
reached out to us
across a scorched land
as we lost our way,
burned by our own mistakes.

Your arms, stretched out across the beams,
dropped your blood into our world
which was your world.
Startled and subdued,
your heart beat to the rhythm of love.
Your lips spoke peace,
even as you breathed your last,
and gave up the ghost.

You emerged from the cold earth.
A dark cave had homed your scratched, serrated body,
had hidden you from the world’s rude eyes,
wrapped in cloths which now lay neatly folded,
like you had all the time in the world.

In darkness your love shone,
turned stones,
moved the earth.
You looked at us,
breathed into our lungs,
which heaved with the shear beauty of it all,
as we emerged into a new world
which was your world,
startled by your love.
Your breath blew off the dust.
You saw that all was good.

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