Greetings …
Ash Wednesday falls on 26 February and opens the season of Lent which is set aside as a time when we prepare our hearts and minds for Easter. As part of our preparation for Easter I have decided to share a short reflection or two each week in this space. I pray that you will find some quiet space to reflect as we journey towards the cross.

Ash Wednesday – 26 February – Psalm 51:1a “Have mercy on me O God”

This opening line of Psalm 5 reminds us that we have hope in the mercy and unfailing love of God. The psalmist places himself close to God and sits in that space between love and mercy, a space we are all invited to inhabit.
While we like to think we are self-sufficient, we can fall into trouble when we try and work things out on our own. We can so easily cause harm and hurt. It is a blessing for all of us that we know that God always looks on us with mercy which stems from the unfathomable, unfailing love of God.

1st Sunday of Lent – 1 March – Psalm 51:1b

“According to your great compassion blot out my transgressions”
While we can never completely understand God, there are character attributes that are so integral that they are directly associated with God – love, mercy and compassion are some of these. God’s compassion is spoken about many times in the bible … it is a gift that Jesus poured out on the cross. Jesus’ compassion for us was shown through a deep love that caused him to suffer.
As we journey towards Easter, may our hearts be filled with compassionate love for the One who took on human form to be with us and for one another.
Blessings – Rev Heather.