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The penitential season of Lent begins this month with Ash Wednesday on March 5th. I hope you will keep a good Lent, beginning with the Ash Wednesday Eucharist at 10.am and 7.30.pm. We shall also be having several Lent Groups and the Stations of the Cross on Fridays as we meditate closely on the Cross of Christ. One of the problems for some people on coming into St George's is the huge crucifix behind the altar, and I understand some people sit on the sides or in a position where they cannot see it clearly as they find it less disturbing for them! On the Continent in Catholic countries it is quite usual to find 'Wayside Crucifixes' all over the countryside at crossroads and on the walls of houses in the cities, and there has grown up a lovely custom over the centuries, where people often lay fresh flowers at the feet of the crucified. The Church has for two thousand years preached "the faith of Christ Crucified" and, I think, an empty cross takes away this central fact, and diminishes the life giving, sin pardoning effects of the crucifixion, the sacrifice of Jesus in obedience to the Father's will. For some people, they would prefer the Christian Religion in a sanitized form, without all the pain and suffering and other things that go with it. They would prefer a nice Anglican, comfortable religion, Matins on Sunday morning, Holy Communion occasionally perhaps and not requiring too much from us! But that is not what our faith is about. Holy Scripture will make it clear at the Eucharist during the next six weeks of Lent that the glory of God is seen in Christ's sacrificial death, that is where God's triumph is found. "God showed His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". (Romans 5.8). It's easy for many people to believe in a nice comfortable religion that suits them. To find lovely passages in the Bible, that do not make too many demands, that fit in so neatly with their own personal theology. But, the gospel reminds us that "Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me, cannot be my disciple" (S.Luke 14.27). The cost of Christian discipleship is proclaimed, our Christian Faith is not a bargain basement. It is proclaimed in our churches and proclaimed at those wayside crosses and proclaimed by all of us who have been marked with the sign of the cross. So there it is, the real cost of following Jesus! The Christian Religion is not some supermarket with nice things on offer for nice people at a nice price. When we have a closer look at the cost... then we could decide: "It's rather more than we intended to spend!" But don't despair, we are not without help. We have Christ Himself beside us. His sacraments to sustain us and the Saints to inspire and pray for us. Who could ask for more? The Lenten Hymn puts it well: Take up thy cross, the Saviour said, With my Prayers and blessing. Your priest and friend. MALCOLM FERRIER. |
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