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Lent Sermon Series 2011 Blessed are the Peacemakers? In the lands where Jesus walked there is conflict, hatred and suspicion. The origin of this state of affairs goes back to the founding of the state of Israel in 1948, and the British bear considerable responsibility for the terrible plight of the region and the deep divisions there today. Uncritical American support for Israel since the 1960s has not helped the situation and has stoked Arab and Muslim fury and frustration with the West. American foreign policy has for decades been based on barely questioning support for the State of Israel, even though the consequences for relations with the Arab and Muslim World are almost entirely negative. This has had a particularly severe effect on the ancient Christian communities of the Middle East, which have seen steep numerical decline as Christians leave for exile in less dangerous lands. The sacred sites of the Holy Land are often places of conflict not just between Christians, Jews and Arabs, but between different Christian groups. And yet Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, (Matthew 5:9). Peacemakers note, not peacekeepers. Peacekeeping may well involve military force and the use of armed intervention; peacemaking involves patient negotiation, perseverance when the going gets tough, and the practice of forgiveness. It also involves the introduction of good governance and the provision of a sound infrastructure so that ordinary people can live decent and stable lives. The teaching and example of Jesus point to a distinctive way of responding to injustice and overcoming evil with good. As people of faith we should be praying, Lord, make us instruments of your peace. This Sermon Series looks at various aspects of the situation in the Middle East with that prayer in mind. 2
Lent Sermon Series Line-Up Lent I Sunday 13 th March 11am Richard Fyjis-Walker British Ambassador to Pakistan 1984-87 Lent II Sunday 20 th March 11am Simon Keyes Director, St. Ethelburga s, Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, London Lent III Sunday 27 th March 11am Mrs Janet Kitchen Guildsman of St Bride and Organiser of the 2011 Parish Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Lent V Sunday 10 th April 11am Richard Beeston Foreign Editor at the Times Lent VI Palm Sunday 17 th April 11am Clare Amos Director of Theological Studies, Anglican Communion Office 3
The Cross: A symbol of pain or a thing of beauty? The Cross he bore is life and health Through shame and death to him: His people s hope, his people s wealth Their everlasting theme. Recently a church hit the headlines when the church council decided to remove a large crucifix from the outside wall, on the grounds that it frightened the local children and put people off coming to that church. They wanted to replace it with an empty cross, a sign of resurrection. The Cross in Roman Times was an instrument of torture and execution, but through the death of Christ it has become a symbol of life and love. Today many people use the cross as a piece of jewellery, and even pop-stars and celebrities are seen wearing one, but Paul called it a stumbling block and folly, something the religious and the cultured people of his own day would find offensive. However, for the Christian believer it is the mark of discipleship, a sign that we are committed to the self giving way of love which Jesus preached and lived out in his life and death. It is both a symbol of pain and suffering and a thing of beauty. This Lent you are invited to think about the importance of the Cross in your life, and to meditate on the cost and the joy of a love we would make our own. 4
A Prayer to use in Lent Blessed Saviour, who in your hours of desolation hung upon the cross, stretching forth your loving arms: embrace us in those arms, that your cross may be our cross; so that we may embrace all who are desolate and for whom you died and rose again, that all people may live like you in the image and likeness of your Father, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be glory for ever more. Amen. 5
What is Lent? Lent is the period of seven weeks before Easter when Christians prepare to remember the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Lent can be traced back to as early as the 3rd Century and takes its duration from the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness after His baptism. For Christians today it's a time to remember our faults, a time of penitence and reconciliation, and for some it is also a time to get ready to affirm their individual faith through baptism or confirmation. 6
Seeking Silence in Lent Here are a few suggestions to help you to be still and find God during these weeks of Lent. You might like to try one exercise or practical suggestion each week between Ash Wednesday and Easter Day. Ways into stillness Relax: Tense your muscles and then relax them. Do this with all the different parts of your body in turn. A word or phrase, steadily repeated e.g. Lord, have mercy on me ; Jesus ; I love you, Lord ; Peace ; Come Holy Spirit. An object to look at e.g. a flower, cross, picture, stone or candle. A mental picture: e.g. Jesus, the Father, the cross, a peaceful scene of land, sea or sky, a favourite place. Music: a tape (song or instrumental); sing a verse of a hymn or song (Taizé chants can be helpful). A verse of scripture, repeated or written out to look at. e.g. Psalm 46:10 Matthew 11:28 John 14:27 7
Taking a Prayer Walk Walking helps us to focus and centre-down and is an ideal way to begin to pray. You can walk around St Bride s using the special Prayer Trail leaflet provided (copies are to be found by the Journalists Altar) or you can go on your favourite walk in the countryside, or around the streets where you live, or even between the office desk and your nearest coffee shop. Here are some thoughts to help you on your walk: Your real journey is an interior one Walk at your own pace and look at the buildings and people around you Take with you the cry, or the song, in your heart, the people you love, and your own dreams At each turning consciously drop off a worry, or a hurt, or a mask you wear Listen to the sounds around you, and think what they remind you of Think of a picture from your walk to hold in your memory to write about or draw End with a prayer offering the walk to God The Last Twenty Four Hours Spend some time slowly going back over the events of the past twenty- four hours. Recall as much detail as you can: where you were; what you did; what you said; what was said to you; how you felt, etc. Call to mind two or three things from the day for which you would like to thank God Call to mind two or three things from the day which caused you concern, anxiety or worry, and offer them to God See if you can identify one point during the day where God touched your life: where God was revealed to you; where God spoke to you. 8
Image & Icon Chose a favourite painting, icon or piece of sculpture (You can buy lovely postcards at places like The National Gallery, our Bookshop and small icons can be brought at St Paul s Cathedral Bookshop too). Look carefully at the image and go through these three phases: Look steadily and with concentration at the image. You may offer a prayer, silently or aloud Close your eyes and take the image to your mind. Think about it. The prayer now will be silent, with any words spoken inwardly Let the image sink down and be lost in your heart, the centre of your being. The prayer may now be wordless and image-less Prayer through music Chose a piece of music that will help you become still (the St Bride s bookstall has a number of our own recordings). Play it. Silence 2 minutes Then play a piece of music that expresses the glory and wonder of creation or of God Silence 2 minutes Play a piece of music that expresses joy, adoration or thanksgiving Silence 2 minutes End by saying a short prayer and/or by saying the Grace: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for ever. Amen. You can join us for the Sermons in Music on Sunday evenings in Lent (see Services for Lent pg 10). Taizé services at St Bride s Church in Lent Join us for Taizé, a Meditative form of worship, every Wednesday at 6pm during Lent. 9
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Two Books for Lent If you would like something to study during Lent, the following two books are recommended and will be available from the bookstall: Lent for Everyone: Matthew (Year 1): Tom Wright SPCK 6.99 The renowned New Testament scholar and former Bishop of Durham has divided Matthew s Gospel into 47 days, interspersed on Sundays with reflections on the Psalms. He providers his own, frequently stimulating, translation of Matthew s Gospel, followed by commentary and ending with a short prayer. Feast and Fast: Food for Lent and Easter: Christina Rees: DLT 8.99 Christina Rees focuses on five Lenten themes; preparing for Lent, entering into Lent s spirit, fasting, Lenten recipes, and Holy Week reflections. Drawing on autobiographical material Rees provides a Lenten miscellany to provoke a reassessment of our spiritual and physical lifestyle. 11
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