Articles - From the Curate

I recently went to see the film the 'March of the Penguins'. It tells how the penguins in the Antarctica make the seventy mile journey inland to lay and care for the egg that will produce their offspring. The journey is repeated many times as the parent birds take it in turns to return to the sea for food to support each other and their chick. It is an incredible story of perseverance and deep commitment to new birth.

The first day of March is Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. Lent is a time when we are called to make our own journeys from those places that are familiar and secure into a deeper and more committed relationship with God. To make this spiritual journey we will need to pray, to read scripture, to be still and listen to God.

In today's busy world, time is a precious commodity and so to find additional time for God can be difficult. We may need to give up time that might usually be spent sleeping, watching television or pursuing a leisure activity, a different sort of self denial to the usual abstinence from biscuits or chocolate.

The penguins know by an inner instinct that their continuing survival depends on their focus shifting from relative comfort, towards a journey that is difficult and time consuming. If we have an inner desire and longing to know more of God, I hope that we will find time to make our own journey this Lent. A journey that will take us deeper into the heart of God - and one that will bring to birth within us new understandings of the Christ we share.

Lesley

© St Edmund's Church, Roundhay