South Cardiff Ministry Area

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

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 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.

Just Lent | March 1

‘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 practices of other countries, of which we have little insight or understanding, and denounce them as strange or unacceptable to us.

However, in recent times, the UK has began to look at itself differently. Following the death of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter Movement fed the desire to re-evaluate the way in which those involved in the Transatlantic slave trade were continued to be honoured in the public space through statues, buildings and place names, which also means re-evaluating the part that Britain played. Now, in many places statues and other physical reminders in the public sphere, have been removed or reconsidered, and a new narrative is being written which allows people of colour to have their voice, share their heritage, and their experience of the world.

No generation can or should have a feeling of self satisfaction that all is well. We need to be open to scrutiny, so that a truthful perspective can emerge. The Church, too, has made mistakes, and sometimes not stood up for the justice it proclaims. How can we be part of a changing landscape, and allow a new, inclusive story be told?

PRAY FOR those charged with re-evaluating and reconsidering the narrative being told, and for a generous response to the experience of others.

Just Lent | February 28

‘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 provides a momentum to our life—but it also packs a punch and, whilst we pray the words, the intentions of the prayer may at times be far from our heart, or difficult to believe for ourselves! The prayer is a profound challenge to the injustice of the world, and the part we play.

If you’re poor, you’ll often end up paying more for things. Living week by week or day by day, there may not be the luxury to buy in bulk or get those three for the price of two offers. Those whose financial circumstances demand they have a prepay metre for their gas or electricity will usually be on a higher tariff. And if you are scratching around to make ends meet, it is easy to fall into debt, to allow credit and loans to get out of control, to miss bills and then become susceptible to high interest loans.

Likewise, it’s reported that lower income countries spend five times more on debt than coping with the impact of climate change and reducing carbon emissions. Figures from Jubilee Debt Campaign showed that 34 of the world’s poorest countries are spending £21.4bn on debt payments a year compared with £3.9bn on measures to reduce the impact of the climate emergency.

PRAY FOR those who are struggling financially, and for poorer countries burdened with debt, and for those who are able to reach out and make a difference.

Just Lent | February 27

‘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 know that God is not and can never be confined within the walls of our building. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is a beautiful gift to be honoured, treasured and valued, it is transformative, but we also discover Christ in so many different ways.

St John Chrysostom said, ‘Do you wish to honour the Body of Christ? Then do not disdain him when you see him in rags. After having honoured him in church with silken vestments do not leave him to die of cold outside for lack of clothing. For it is the same Jesus who says, “This is my Body” and who says “You saw me in the hungry and did not give me to eat…The Body of Christ in the Eucharist demands pure souls, not costly garments. But in the poor he demands all our care…Give him then the honour which he himself has asked for, by giving your money to the poor. Once again, what God wants is not golden chalices but golden souls.’

The sacrament of the Eucharist should raise our hearts and minds to the presence of Jesus everywhere, and make us more attentive to his presence in the poor and those in need, strengthening and inspiring us to encounter him in both the riches and the rags.

PRAY FOR those in whom we are called to encounter Jesus today, and for those who lead lives of dedication and service to those in need.

Just Lent | February 25

‘‘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 or of parents who go without food so that their children can eat. Many have to make the decision to ‘heat or eat.’ Responding to this need, churches and so many others of different backgrounds and religions give freely of their time, resources and energy to respond to the needs of those in crisis, to those who are experiencing dark and difficult times.

Food is a basic necessity of life but sometimes, for so many different reasons, there are people in our country who go hungry, and there are as many different stories to tell as there are people who access Foodbanks. Many may feel a sense of embarrassment at visiting a Foodbank but, in truth, their experience could so easily be our experience. Or perhaps you, at some point, may have received from the generosity of others as you experienced the need for help.

From the time of Isaiah to the time of Jesus and in every generation since then, we are called to feed the hungry and do away with the wicked words. We are called to offer support and encouragement to all who struggle, with no judgement. When we so this, our light will rise in the darkness.

PRAY FOR those who volunteer in Foodbanks throughout the UK and those who visit them with whatever needs they present