Lenten Reflection for February 15th

Have you ever taken a ‘personality quiz’? Perhaps you took one for work, or to find out about your traits to aid in communication styles.

Sometimes fun quizzes can be found in the back pages of magazines. There are thousands of online quizzes to scroll through as well, ‘What is your aesthetic style, cottage-core or dark academia?’ or ‘What fantasy creature are you, mermaid or dragon?’, ‘Are you an introvert or extrovert? Choose dishes at a buffet meal and we’ll tell you!

Many of these examples seem quite silly but it points to something deeper. That is, we all have the sense of a desire to understand ourself. We are faced with questions about who we are, where do we fit in, are there others like us out there so we won’t feel like an outsider.

We have all been ‘fearfully and wonderfully’ created as unique beings but we need to be mindful and wary of relying too much on the sentiment of wanting to belong when it comes to the world around us.

In Saint Paul’s letter to the Colossians he warns, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.’’ (Col 2:8 NIV) and he reminds us that it is ‘’in Christ you have been brought to fullness.’’ (Col 2:10 NIV)

In the coming weeks of Lent, let’s reflect on how the Gifts of the Holy Spirit can help us in recognising what an identity in Christ looks like and how we can find peace when we are brought into fullness in Christ.

God bless you!

Lenten Reflection for Ash Wednesday- February 14th

Hello friends, it fills us with joy to have you journey with us throughout this season of Lent as we reflect on God’s Word through the Scriptures.

A common sentiment that has come up in conversation during the start of this year has been a sense that this year is bringing a form of transformation and change, though it isn’t always clear what that means.

As we journey through the season of Lent, there has been a prompting to spend time reflecting on what it looks like to explore the path of growth and transformation in a discerning way. What are some of the guiding principles we use? Which ones might be leading us away from our calling and which are ones that point us in the right direction? How can we know we are discerning rightly? How can we be attentive to the way the Holy Spirit is leading us?

We know that the Saints are wonderful role models for us as we see the ways they sought after the Lord and did His will. Saint Valentine, who suffered martyrdom for his unwavering Faith and devotion to his calling as a priest, is a beautiful example.

Saint Valentine, pray for us!

Advent Reflection: Saturday, December 24th

Thank you friends for journeying together with us through this season of reflection, prayer, preparation and anticipation.

Throughout, we see how creation has been a story unfolding that leads on a path to 'Emmanuel, God with Us', the birth of our Heavenly King.

From the Prophets,

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)

"The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love..." (Zephaniah 3:17)

To the birth of Jesus, during this night we recall the awe and wonder of the moment heaven touched earth, restoring hope to all mankind through Christ.

“Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!” (Luke 2:10-14)

Let our prayer going forward be to have gratitude for the Lord's presence in our life, to cling ever closer to Him even when we may not feel His presence as acutely, and to share with all those we encounter, the Hope we have found in our Saviour, Emmanuel.

From Adam and I, we pray you have a very Happy Christmas, filled with God's blessings of Peace, Hope, Joy and Love throughout the Season!

God bless you! :)