‘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 poorestContinue reading “Just Lent | March 9”
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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 explosiveswhichContinue reading “Will you stand with us ?”
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 pagesContinue reading “Just Lent | March 8”
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,Continue reading “Just Lent | March 7”
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 ofContinue reading “Just Lent | March 6”
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 thatContinue reading “Just Lent | March 4”
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 intentContinue reading “Just Lent | March 3”
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 ofContinue reading “Just Lent | March 2”
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 practicesContinue reading “Just Lent | March 1”
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 providesContinue reading “Just Lent | February 28”