Carrying our sadness, waiting for Spring
As we move through our Covid lock down there is a palpable sadness pervading our lives. We are assailed by loss and bereavement. That would be challenging enough in any given moment of our lives. But we are not able to grieve and comfort one another in the usual ways. Our sadness in this time of lockdown is fuelled to by ghosts of past sadness’s. Loss, mistakes and regrets that we thought we had left behind, resolved or dealt with. Job suffers. He cannot find an adequate answer, (book of Job 7:1-4.6-7). Many around him believe he has caused his own downfall through his sins and misdeeds. Job interrogates God. His suffering makes Job weary. Will it never end.
In our Gospel, (Mark, Ch1:29-39) Jesus responds to those who suffer. In his preaching Jesus asserts that God does not do evil. Look at what love does, look at what Jesus does faced with suffering. Jesus acts to alleviate, to forgive, to heal. It is important that we come to those who suffer with humility. All they ask is that we do not desert them. Notice that Jesus withdraws to pray in a deserted place. The healer also needs to rest, be restored, to pray. It appears that he enters in to silent contemplation and waiting upon God. So often in our prayer we find we can’t find the words, we are too tired, lost or angry. God seems to be absent. Ronald Rolheiser writes “the seeming silence of God in our lives as adults can in fact be a deeper modality of God’s presence rather than a sign of a deteriorating faith. God’s seeming absence may not be a question of a loss of faith but of a new, richer, less-imaginative mode of God’s presence in our lives. Fervour is not always a sign of a deep faith, just as the seeming absence of God is not necessarily a sign of a weakening faith. God must be patiently waited for and will arrive in our lives only on God’s terms, not ours.” Job waited on God. Jesus too waits on his Father so that he can do the work he is called to do. To heal, restore and carry our sadness. There are times when all we can do is carry our sadness and wait for winter to pass, awaiting the spring. Mgr Jim Curry
Mass & opening times during this lockdown.
Monday- Friday: 10.00 am Saturday: 6.00 pm vigil/anticipated Sunday: 9.30 am & 11.00 am Please observe good hygiene and the social distancing norms when visiting the Church. All the celebrations of Mass will be live streamed If you wish to come to any of the Sunday Masses please book your place using the button provided below
A Prayer of to Our Blessed Lady in time of need
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen Pray for us O Holy Mother of God that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, Amen.
ECUMENICAL LENT COURSE ON PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
The Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the UK Foreign Secretary of Foreign and Commonwealth Office* Support for Persecuted Christians (2019) wrote, “Christianity is by most calculations the most persecuted religion of modern times. Yet Western politicians until now have been reluctant to speak out in support of Christians in peril.” We have a chance to address this together as Christians in Kensington and Chelsea. "Each Wednesday evening in Lent at 7.30pm, starting on 24th February and ending on 24th March, Zoom sessions will be offered, with presenters from Aid to the Church in Need. https://acnuk.org Each session will last one hour and end with a devotional time using Stations of the Cross as the focus for prayer for the persecuted, working through the Stations from 24th February to 24th March. Details of the Zoom link and the content of each session will be coming soon, but in the meantime do make a diary or calendar note so that you can join these important sessions. We will learn that persecution is a phenomenon which is not 'out there' but “ in here” as we inform our minds and our prayer this Lent.
IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
YOU ARE NOT ALONE. The COVID-19 pandemic is a new and uncertain time for all of us, so it is only natural that it will affect our mental health in different ways. However you are feeling right now is valid. With the right help and support, we can get through this. Visit https://youngminds.org.uk/ for more information and material both for parents and children.
What are you doing for Lent?
Walking for water: Can you join CAFOD to walk 10.000 steps a day throughout Lent Join the Big Walk for water at https://cafod.org.uk/
Praying Each month with the Pope
1 Comment
Helen Gibbs
8/2/2021 06:58:48 pm
Let’s hope that our Spring will come for those who trust in the Lord
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