South Cardiff Ministry Area

Just Lent | March 24

‘They say, with misguided reasoning, “Let us lie in wait for the virtuous man, since he annoys us and opposes our way of life, reproaches us for our breaches of the law.”’

(see Wisdom 2:1,12-22)

The ‘News International’ phone hacking scandal was a controversy involving the now-defunct News of the World and other British newspapers owned by Rupert Murdoch. Employees of the newspaper were accused of engaging in phone hacking, police bribery, and exercising improper influence in the pursuit of stories. They targeted celebrities, politicians, members of the Royal Family but also the phones of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, relatives of deceased British soldiers, and victims of the 7 July 2005 London bombings. The public outcry led to several high-profile resignations.

The media has a significant and responsible role to play in society which means that, whilst it has a duty to report news, it also needs to act in a moral and sensitive way. If the search for stories means unfairly encroaching on people’s privacy and their difficult situations, and treating them without respect and dignity then it is failing.

We too, in any narrative that we tell, and any news we pass on to others must be mindful of the effects of our words. It can be very easy to delight in the downfall of others. How can we contribute to a narrative that is good and fair, and share news that is honest?

PRAY FOR those who work in the media, and for a considered reporting, a careful use of words, and for our own responsibility in being gentle with our words.

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 23

‘They have made themselves a calf of molten gold and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice.’

(see Exodus 32:7-14)

In an article published on The Guardian website (31 December 2022), addressing the Cost of Living, Rowan Williams writes: “The cost of living crisis is in fact an example of costs being transferred from the powerful to the powerless – from ambitious speculators, market fundamentalists (in and out of government), naked profiteers and, in the past horrendous 10 months of war in Ukraine, foreign dictators, to a population pushed with increasing aggressiveness into debt, housing, food and energy poverty, and insecure working conditions.”

It is so easy for human beings to be treated as commodities, and where profit is more important than people, when riches are more relevant than lives. Rowan Williams continues, “It is a sign that we have once again forgotten the “covenantal” character of community. It was repeated often enough during the pandemic that no one is safe unless everyone is safe: have we really not noticed that this applies to our economic as much as to our medical wellbeing?”

Through Moses, God entered into a covenant with his people which they quickly forgot, as they turned to a calf of molten gold. For Christians, Jesus established a new covenant for all, created through his death. To recognise the dignity and importance of community is important in caring for all, and ensuring that those who are poor and powerless do not pay the price for the challenges and difficulties we face.

PRAY FOR strong and resourceful communities, and for a fair distribution of wealth.

Just Lent | March 22

‘Some are on their way from afar, others from the north and west.’

‘(see Isaiah 59:8-15)

In his selection of poems ‘On the Move: Poems about Migration,’ Michael Rosen writes, “Everyone comes from somewhere | Everyone has a past | Everyone is somewhere first | Everyone is somewhere last.” There are occasions when some may criticize the welcoming of so many refugees believing that money and resources could be spent on more pressing needs. The reality is that the UK welcomes fewer refugees than some countries in Europe and around the world.

The family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took refuge in the land of Egypt to escape terror and death threats, and we can only imagine their experience of fleeing to a foreign land. Each person who leaves their home for somewhere safe, has their own story and experiences to share. Some have left behind family and friends and possessions, and many people will have experienced the death of a loved one along the way.

The recent decision by the UK Government to send refugees from here to Rwanda caused moral outrage and challenge from many areas, and reignited the debate of the passage that refugees are forced to take. Wherever we are, and whatever contact we have with refugees, may we work to create a supportive and welcoming environment, treating each person with dignity and respect, sensitive to their past, and offering a place to call home where they can be somewhere at last.

PRAY FOR those who work wo welcome and support refugees and asylum seekers, and for a compassionate government here and around the world.

Just Lent | March 21

‘Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails.’

(see Ezekiel 47:1-9,12)

Forests still cover about 30 percent of the world’s land area, but they are disappearing at an alarming rate. Since 1990, the world has lost 420 million hectares or about a billion acres of forest, mainly in Africa and South America. About 17 percent of the Amazonian rainforest has been destroyed over the past 50 years, and losses recently have been on the rise. It was reported that the Amazonian destruction rose by 21 percent in 2020, a loss the size of Israel.

The coming of God’s kingdom offers us a new vision. Through Christ, we see a new world. He opens our eyes to all that God is doing, which should fill us with a joy that cannot be contained. The prophecy of Isaiah uses the familiar image of creation as a means of expressing the life God gives, as we imagine a world of health and healing, with trees restored, bringing life.

With such mass deforestation of our planet, human beings are ransacking the diversity and sustainability of the planet, destroying habitats, and ripping out the lungs of the earth. How can our choices make a difference? What can we do to increase a gratitude and appreciation of the created order, and care for the earth to which we belong.

PRAY FOR a more responsible care of the planet, and for leaders, governments and businesses to live and work in a more environmentally sustainable way.

Just Lent | March 20

‘Now I create a new heaven and a new earth, and the past will not be remembered.’

(see Isaiah 65:17-21)

‘There is no Planet B’ say many placards on environmental demonstrations organised by groups such as Extinction Rebellion and so many others. The words were also waved in the air when school children from all over the world walked out in demonstration, following the example of Greta Thurnberg, to campaign for a more robust and realistic political response to the environmental crisis.

The damage that has been done to the planet is obvious, and each of us has played our own part in this through the way we live, shop and work. But there is also an urgent requirement for countries around the world to take the urgent call seriously.

As Christians, we have a particular view of the natural world. St Charles Foucauld prayed “Give me the grace to see nothing else but you, nothing but you in all created things; never to be arrested by them, never to see the natural or spiritual beauty that is in them as being born of themselves, but only as being part of you.” If we believe that the world is not simply created by God, but reveals something of God, and is part of God, then how does that change the way we treat the beautiful gift of God’s Creation.

PRAY FOR a true care for God’s Creation, that we may live responsible lives, and that leaders and governments may respond effectively and quickly to the environmental crisis.

Mountains and Molehills

We continue our JUST LENT course this week, as we gather at St Paul’s Church Grangetown on Wednesday at 7pm. We explore justice for God’s Creation. Here’s a brief introduction.

Gareth James / *Cader Idris in Cardiff Bay* / CC BY-SA 2. Wikimedia commons

This monument, moved from just outside Central Railway Station to Cardiff Bay Wetland is intended to reflect the mountains which surround Cardiff, and the life of the valleys which have now become so much greener in its post-industrial age.

Pit heads and wheels long ago gave way to wind turbines which are scattered on the mountaintops, and the coal tips and slag heaps have given way to green mountains as nature returns once more, and the valley communities seek a new future. We are now well aware of the impact that we have upon the planet, and the global environmental damage done by the dominant and destructive hand of humans.

There are many challenges and much that must change before the planet is brought to breaking point. It’s not too late.

What is our calling as Christians? If we return to the Genesis story of Creation, we read that ‘God saw all that he had made and behold it was very good.’ How good a job does God think we human beings have made in being stewards of the gifts he has given us? The world is God’s gift to us, and he set us as stewards of all that he has made. St Charles Foucauld prayed “Give me the grace to see nothing else but you, nothing but you in all created things; never to be arrested by them, never to see the natural or spiritual beauty that is in them as being born of themselves, but only as being part of you.” If we are able to make that prayer our own, how on earth can we carry on regardless?

It’s not only war which displaces and devastates people. The environmental damage we are doing to the world is also to blame. Whilst the responsibility of governments and leaders lies heavy, so it also falls to each of us to live responsibly upon this earth, to play our part in caring for the created order, to treat with gentleness and gratitude the gifts that God has given us. The further we live apart from and in contradiction to the natural world, the further we stray from the designs of God, and from God himself.

Every small thing we do can have a major impact for good or ill. The molehills of our lives can become mountains of change – if we act now and live well, as we seek God’s justice for all he has created.

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

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