Heaven shall not wait for the poor to lose their patience, the scorned to smile, the despised to...

First Sunday of Lent

Heaven shall not waitfor the poor to lose their patience,the scorned to smile, the despised to find a friend:Jesus is Lord;he has championed the unwanted;in him injustice confronts its timely end.

Heaven shall not waitfor the rich to share their fortunes,the proud to fall, the élite to tend the least:Jesus is Lord;he has shown the master's privilege —to kneel and wash servants' feet before they feast.From Heaven Shall Not Wait © 1987, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland. www.wgrg.co.uk Used with Permission

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Today with Jesus we begin our Lenten Journey to Jerusalem. As we travel alongside Jesus over these weeks we will reflect upon our own communities of today. On this first Sunday of Lent we go with Jesus into the wilderness as he reflects on his ministry. What is God calling him to do and be? What kind of Messiah is he?

These stones remind us of the stones Jesus was tempted to turn into bread.

Feeding the hungry is such a worthy cause yet Jesus rejected the way of sensationalism to take the downward path of walking alongside and sharing with the needy and challenging those who promoted the status quo. Let us reflect on the journey of our faith into our communities. What is God calling us to do? Is it enough simply to feed the hungry?

Trussell Trust foodbanks have seen the biggest rise in numbers given emergency food since the charity began in 2000. Almost 350,000 people have received at least three days emergency food from Trussell Trust foodbanks during 2013, nearly 100,000 more than anticipated and close to triple the number helped in 2011-12. (Source Trussell Trust Website)

What might we do to challenge the causes of hunger and poverty today? What must change in our society for all to know fullness of life? Jesus turned his back on the easy life he was tempted to follow to take the path of self-sacrificial love.

Gracious God, you came in Jesus to walk alongside your people in all the experiences of their lives we pray for the communities in which we live.May Christ be known and his love be shownWe remember those who struggle to feed their families, who face the indignity of the foodbank and pray that they be fed. We thank you for all who so generously give of themselves to feed the hungryMay Christ be known and his love shown

We pray too, for the changes that are needed in our society to bring about communities were foodbanks can become a thing of the past. Inspire us to ask the right questions as we seek to challenge a system that depends on them.May Christ be known and his love shown.Help us to be involved in making Christ known in all we are and do as we dedicate ourselves to his kingdom. Amen

Heaven shall not waitfor the dawn of great ideas,thoughts of compassion divorced from cries of pain:Jesus is Lord;he has married word and action;his cross and company make his purpose plain.

Heaven shall not waitfor triumphant Hallelujahs,when earth has passed and we reach another shore:Jesus is Lordin our present imperfection;his power and love are for now, and then for evermore.From Heaven Shall Not Wait © 1987, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland. www.wgrg.co.uk


Second Sunday of Lent

Heaven shall not waitfor the poor to lose their patience,the scorned to smile, the despised to find a friend:Jesus is Lord;he has championed the unwanted;in him injustice confronts its timely end.From Heaven Shall Not Wait © 1987, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland. www.wgrg.co.uk Used with Permission


On our Lenten Journey to the Jerusalem of yesterday we reflect upon our own communities of today. As Nicodemus approached Jesus in the dark of the night so we reflect on the struggles and difficulties many experience in their lives today.

This image of a new-born baby reminds us that Jesus called upon Nicodemus to be born again. Let us reflect on where we need to see new birth in our communities. Where do we find the face of Christ and long to make him known?

According to the office of National Statistics information gleaned from the survey arising from David Cameron’s commitment to find a measure of well being shows that people in the West Midlands are amongst the most discontented people in the country. (source: Centre for Local Government WM State of the West Midlands Working Paper May 2013)

• What changes can we envisage so that all may discover that new life?

• How can we bring about a society without food banks and exorbitant payday loans?

• What unjust practices go to create further inequalities in our society?

• How can we support the weak and encourage the able?

Living loving God, you came in Jesus that all might discover life in all its fullness we pray for the communities in which we live.May Christ be known and his love be shownWe remember those who struggle to make a living; who rely on benefits; who visit the payday lenders; who live in a perpetual nightmare of debt.May Christ be known and his love be shown.

We pray for the changes that are needed in our lives, the life of our nation and the policies of our leaders to bring about that abundant life for all.May Christ be known and his love shown.Help us to be involved in making Christ known in all we are and do as we dedicate ourselves to his kingdom. Amen

Third Sunday of Lent

On our Lenten Journey to the Jerusalem of yesterday we reflect upon our own communities of today. We recall today how Jesus conversed with a Samaritan woman and reflect on the divisions within our society.

This symbol of friendship and welcome reminds us that Jesus welcomed the one who was so different, the one his countrymen and women despised. Let us reflect on the divisions and differences in our communities between people of different race and faith.

According to the Daily Mail a MORI poll has suggested that seven out of 10 Britons say there are too many immigrants in this country and even more feel they have a negative impact on public services. (Daily Mail 6th January 2014)

• What changes of attitude and policy do we long for?

• How can we make Christ in the stranger more welcome?

• How can we truly celebrate our multicultural nation?

• As Jesus received from the Samaritan woman how can we be more open to receive the gifts of those who are different to us?

God of Justice, you came in Jesus that all might discover life in all its fullness we pray for the communities in which we live.May Christ be known and his love be shownWe remember those who feel excluded because of race, colour or faith. For victims of hate crimes; for those disadvantaged in education or career or status because they are different.May Christ be known and his love shown

We pray for the changes that are needed in our lives, the life of our nation and the policies of our leaders to bring about a society where all are welcome.May Christ be known and his love shown.Help us to be involved in making Christ known in all we are and do as we dedicate ourselves to his kingdom. Amen

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Mothering Sunday

On our Lenten Journey to the Jerusalem of yesterday we reflect upon our own communities of today. We recall today how Jesus healed a man born blind and reflect on the ways in which our society cares for the sick and disabled. And on Mothering Sunday we think of the needs of families.

This symbol of disability reminds us that Jesus gave sight to the blind man and so often restored the health and vitality of those who were sick or disabled. In the light of Jesus’ compassion let us reflect on the treatment of the sick and disabled in our communities.

And as Jesus showed compassion to the children let us reflect on all that makes for a good childhood within loving families and in educational opportunities.

In 2008 one in five children in the West Midlands lived in a workless household. The West Midlands is the only region where child poverty grew during the ‘boom’ years up to 2008. According to research Children experiencing poverty have lower educational attainment, higher incidence of behavioural problems and risky behaviours and early signals of later life health problems than children growing up in richer families. (Research from Institute of Fiscal Studies, West Midlands Children and Young People’s Forum and Economic and Social Research Council)

What changes can we envisage to enable our society to be more compassionate towards those who are sick, elderly or disabled? • We think of the disabled denied

appropriate benefits. • We think of the National Health Service and

give thanks but ask what polices might help it be more efficient and effective.

• We think of families and children and all who work with them in schools and social care and reflect on their needs.

Compassionate God, you came in Jesus that all might discover life in all its fullness we pray for the communities in which we live.May Christ be known and his love be shownWe remember those who are sick; those who struggle because of disability; the frail elderly; those who feel they receive inadequate care for their needs; children and families that all may have the opportunity to become all that they can be.May Christ be known and his love shown

We pray for the changes that are needed in our lives, the life of our nation and the policies of our leaders to bring about a compassionate society where all feel their needs to be met. Where healing is seen in the love and care for all in need.May Christ be known and his love shown.Help us to be involved in making Christ known in all we are and do as we dedicate ourselves to his kingdom. Amen

Heaven shall not waitfor the dawn of great ideas,thoughts of compassion divorced from cries of pain:Jesus is Lord;he has married word and action;his cross and company make his purpose plain.From Heaven Shall Not Wait © 1987, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland. www.wgrg.co.uk Used with Permission


Fifth Sunday of Lent

Passion Sunday

On our Lenten Journey to the Jerusalem of yesterday we reflect upon our own communities of today. Today is Passion Sunday and we recall how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, liberating him from the tomb, awakening him to new life.

As we place this flower, a symbol of life and new life so we reflect on all places in our society where hope is dead.

In the light of Jesus’ gift of life to Lazarus and his compassion for Mary and Martha we think of all who need a helping hand. The lonely; the dying; the bereaved. We reflect on those who need to rise above poverty, poor educational opportunities; dead end jobs; a life of crime or addiction.

The number of men in part time work who would like to work full time has more than doubled in the West Midlands between 2007 and 2012. There has been a 20% increase in the numbers of statutory homeless between 2009 and 2011. In-work poverty, low wages, health problems and homelessness have all increased. Shelter’s 2012 Eviction Risk Monitor found the West Midlands to have the third highest rate of repossession claims in England. (Source: Economic and Social Inclusion in the West Midlands: Baseline Evidence Update June 2013 marketingbirmingham.com)

What changes can help our society to be a place of life and living for those in need? What policies can lift the poor out of poverty, improve their chances in life, enable rehabilitation and new life to those who have taken the wrong path? We think of our prisons, our schools and the world of work and dream of a society where all can find freedom to really live.

Liberating God, you came in Jesus that all might discover life in all its fullness we pray for the communities in which we live.May Christ be known and his love be shownWe remember those whose lives are deadened by the circumstances of their living who need to be awakened to new life.May Christ be known and his love be shown

We pray for the changes that are needed in our lives, the life of our nation and the policies of our leaders to bring about a society that brings freedom from all that seeks to constrain and bind and offer fullness of life.May Christ be known and his be love shown.Help us to be involved in making Christ known in all we are and do as we dedicate ourselves to his kingdom. Amen

Heaven shall not waitfor triumphant Hallelujahs,when earth has passed and we reach another shore:Jesus is Lordin our present imperfection;his power and love are for now, and then for evermore.From Heaven Shall Not Wait © 1987, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland. www.wgrg.co.uk Used with Permission


Palm Sunday

Heaven shall not waitfor the poor to lose their patience,the scorned to smile, the despised to find a friend:Jesus is Lord;he has championed the unwanted;in him injustice confronts its timely end.

On our Lenten journey we finally come with Jesus to Jerusalem. We join with his disciples in our praise, waving our palms, singing our ‘Hosannas’. Yet this high moment of celebration is his last act of no return. His fate is sealed, his suffering and death certain, his self-sacrifice complete.

As we place these symbols of celebration and suffering so we reflect on our divided society where hidden beneath a veneer of prosperity so many go hungry, live in pain and despair, feel excluded; those within whom Jesus continues to be nailed to a cross.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported that in the year 2011 to 2012 for the first time the number of people living in poverty in households who are in work outstripped that for workless households. Their poverty is hidden, official statistics show that they have jobs but they do not earn enough to live.

This Holy Week, let us reflect on the ways in which we crucify Jesus again and again in our world today and ask what we can do, what we can say, what we can encourage our leaders to do and say to bring about a just and peaceful world that all may know his resurrection joy.

Self-giving God, you came in Jesus that all might know your love we pray for the communities in which we live.May Christ be known and his love be shownWe remember those who feel lost amongst those who seem to be having a good time. For the hidden people whose cries for help are drowned in a sea of celebration.May Christ be known and his love be shown.

We pray for the changes that are needed in our lives, the life of our nation and the policies of our leaders to bring about a society that enables the voice of the poor and excluded to be heard and all of our lives to be transformed in your love.May Christ be known and his love be shown.Help us to be involved in making Christ known in all we are and do as we dedicate ourselves to his kingdom. Amen.

Heaven shall not waitfor the dawn of great ideas,thoughts of compassion divorced from cries of pain:Jesus is Lord;he has married word and action;his cross and company make his purpose plain.From Heaven Shall Not Wait © 1987, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland. www.wgrg.co.uk Used with Permission


Heaven shall not waitfor triumphant Hallelujahs,when earth has passed and we reach another shore:Jesus is Lordin our present imperfection;his power and love are for now, and then for evermore.From Heaven Shall Not Wait © 1987, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland. www.wgrg.co.uk Used with Permission


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