Lent - Where Less Means More

 

                                                            Picture Credit: Anthony Caputi 

The image above was posted on Facebook late on Monday evening (Feb 28^th), and shows a Ukrainian soldier conducting a prayer meeting and ministering the Gospel of Hope to frightened civilians. Of all the images that have been shown particularly on social media since Vladimir Putin ordered his armed forces to conduct their murderous assault on Ukraine, this one should resonate with most of us. For even in the midst of the chaos caused by death and destruction, people took time out to pray and to seek the reassurance that can only come by putting our problems and worries into Jesus’ hands and trust to him to provide the way forward. Of course, this is not the first time such images have been posted during armed conflicts, although the array of technology at our disposal today, means they can be circulated globally within minutes of being taken.

Today is Ash Wednesday the start of Lent, that period of forty days when as Christians we begin reflecting on sacrifice, either our own in giving up treats, or doing something different to demonstrate our faith and love of God and neighbour. With Pope Francis calling for today to be marked by a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine it allows us to focus our minds not only there, but also on those other parts of the world where religious and ethnic tensions lead to violent conflict and greater suffering mainly to the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. By doing this we perhaps demonstrate the first rule of less means more; by focusing less on our own situation and become more aware of the wider goings on in the world when too often we look the other way out of fear or trepidation.

 As a Worship Leader, I spend time writing reflections seeking to impart a theological interpretation of the chosen scripture readings – whether taken from the Lectionary or not. Perhaps now would be a good time to focus less on the “theology” of the situation (don’t tell my training tutor) and instead, focus more on testing and if necessary, challenging those to whom I am addressing to think more critically about the world we live in, and how we let the Holy Spirit into our lives in guiding our responses but remain grounded – one hopes - in our current realities.

Perhaps taking a broader view might provide the creative spark which could influence a new approach to our own writing. Less reliance on our traditional sources of information or ways of working could lead to new and exciting journeys of discovery which leads to more options, including perhaps greater collaboration with other writers in similar genres. Who knows unless we try.

 Lent is a time of reflection, a time to think and do less of what we were previously conditioned to think and do and look more critically at the opportunities which the post-covid world will undoubtedly bring our way. Whatever creative genre our skills and abilities calls us to pursue, whatever our inspiration, whether individually or as part of a group, there will likely be more opportunities to allow us to flourish spiritually and materially, if only we make ourselves less resistant to the idea.

 Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross on Good Friday followed by his resurrection was the chance of a new beginning, a new life and a new hope for the world. Just like the soldier in the image above, his less was not about him but more about those he was called to serve.

Prayer: May God bless the people of Ukraine and all those suffering across the world’s conflict zones at this time. May those in positions of leadership use their power and influence to bring about peaceful and permanent solutions to these crises, and to seek the path of peaceful dialogue, rather than the destructive nature of war.

 In Jesus name let us all pray

 Amen    

 

 

Michael Cronogue originally from London now resides in Walsall in West Midlands region of UK. Writer and blogger discussing matters of faith and theology on his website www.michaelcronogue.com