I do find the beginning of the year a strange time. On the one hand we have put last year behind us, and we can give the impression that after the rush of Christmas we can just get back into the normal routine and relax a bit – I wish someone would tell my diary that! I find I’m still catching up with some things that were left undone in December whilst trying to plan for Lent and Easter, which are upon us in no time at all. 

And perhaps that is why I find that Mark’s Gospel resonates so much. It is just so busy and even when Jesus finds a quiet place away from the crowds he is quickly disturbed once again (e.g Mark 1:37)  It just feels so familiar. One of the books waiting unread on my desk is called “Being Interrupted”. It reflects on ministry in a small, busy Anglican/United Reformed church in Birmingham and the sense that nothing quite ends as planned because life gets in the way. Looking at it again, I note it uses Mark’s Gospel to help those reflections – I think I need to create some time in Lent to do more than just glance at it.

Then, Mike Pence at LBC pointed out the Bible Reading Fellowship resource Loving our Neighbour: A Lenten Journey a collection of daily readings, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, intended to help us consider how we can really love each other, as individuals and communities. For each day, there is a short passage of scripture, a couple of pages of commentary and a prayer. Each week, a different author considers the theme of loving our neighbour from a different angle, as follows:

• Loving in truth
• Loving those who are vulnerable
• Loving those who are suffering
• Loving oneself
• Loving those who are different
• Loving the world around us
• Loving to the end

Several authors are familiar names to Mike and myself, including writers who have inspired us in the past.  So I have ordered it for myself from https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/lent/products/loving-my-neighbour. Mike suggests that if you do decide to journey with this book, and would like a chance to chat with others about its insights, then please do let us know. We would be glad to meet up with a group for an informal discussion – with refreshments, naturally!

Otherwise, 

• What do you need to do to make time in Lent that gets you away from the hubbub of the normal routine? 
• Can you take time to be quiet and be aware of God communicating with you at this period of life? 
• Are there changes that you need to make so as to be ready to live as God is calling you to live?
• How can you use Lent to be ready for the season of Resurrection that we will mark at Easter?

However, you spend the next month, may Lent bring space to catch your breath and may Easter fill you with the hope of new life.

Be blessed, Craig