This Lenten season has been a period of renewal, reflection and revelation for us here at Emmanuel Leyton. As a pilgrim people in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we are constantly being renewed in the power of His most excellent Holy Spirit John 20:22.
Lent has been a time of reflection, on our lives, our mortality, hopes and dreams. It has also not been about ourselves, but about our relationship with each other in Church and our relationship with the world. Like any moment of reflection some moments have been painful, and some full of joy. My question to you, is have you been able to see all that the Lord is making new in your life and His creation Revelation 21:5.
As we progress through Lent to Easter, the wonders of God and the part we are all called to play are gradually revealed to us. Are you able to say like Mary Luke 1:38a 'Let it be to me according to your word. Are we also able to say like Mary Magdalene "I have seen the Lord" John 20: 18a. Have you walked and kept vigil with the Lord during this Lenten season? It is those who walk with the Lord who know Him best.
As we journey towards Holy Week, no matter what horrors assail our eyes, ears and being we must pass through it before we can get to that glorious Easter morn. As a Christian it is easy to close one's eyes to the pain and horror that goes on in our world, it is easy to be consumed by our own longings, needs, desires, pain and joy.
Yet we are called to be our brother/sister's keeper. We are called to move people from darkness into the glorious Easter light of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are also called as individuals and as a Church to move into the light of Christ
Easter is when we graphically see the power of God over death, evil, pain, sorrow and the coming of his kingdom. If you have been reading the gospel of John, you would have read about His resurrection and appearing to His disciples.
My prayer for you during this Easter season and beyond is that like Peter you might have the wisdom and courage to choose and do that which is right and the will of God John 21: 15-19. Easter will be devoid of meaning if we can't answer this simple question "Do you love me more than these?" posed to Simon Peter by our Lord Jesus Christ.
In his Mothering Sunday message, Archbishop Rowan posed a question to us "What would we really want, if you were asked, we may be quick to respond for something stupid and silly, through excitement and panic. When we come to Church, we pray, we sing we ask for things without really understanding and appreciating. We pray the Lord's prayer - Thy Kingdom Come Thy will be done. Do we really know what we want"?
Until we obey and follow our Lords commandment to love John 13: 34, we will never know what we want or what we should ask for. The only way to the heart of God is through love, and returning back to Him a fraction of the love He has shed upon us
Let us walk the path of love, faith, fidelity and obedience. Let us this Easter season rejoice for the Saviour of the world is Risen, and 'stop seeking the living among the dead' Luke 24: 5b. Have a wonderful, glorious and blessed Easter in the Lord.
In Dominie
Canon Ade.
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