In our bible study notes this week I found this quote from St. Augustine of Hippo on love… “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has the eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”

In this week I have seen that sort of love shine brightly as members of our parish community worked together and ministered, one to another, in a number of contexts. This was especially so on Monday … and in the days immediately before, in the careful preparations for Andy Tame’s funeral. I was glad to be a member, with you all, of the body of Christ!

When an outsider or newcomer is witness to such compassionate and loving unity they are drawn to it, when they are included in that loving unity they long to remain within it… in much the same way that we are drawn to Christ when once we recognize the wonder of His unconditional love for us on the cross.

Equally, if newcomers and strangers witness disunity, grumbling, mischief making, deceit, back biting or any of these unloving behaviors … from a group of people purporting to follow Jesus … they are turned away.

Therefore, you and I have a huge responsibility, as ambassadors of Christ, to root out sin from our lives. During Lent we strive to remove any darkness and shadow, so that we may truly look like “love”… truly look like Christ … so that we might more truly reflect the light of Christ!

Oh… and just a little footnote to my challenge (at the beginning of Lent) to give up “negativity”. It is not being negative to comment on (or share) bad news, a sad story, a hurt or a concern. By giving up “negativity” I meant negative ways of thinking… i.e. “bad things always happen to me” or “there is no hope for the church!” Negativity stems from a heart without hope. Negativity causes people to give up trying and, inevitably reflects badly on our God. Ultimately… “Negativity” witnesses to a loss of faith in our God… in whom all things are possible!

Love and Blessings

Reverend Shan