Lent: a time for prayer, fasting and almsgiving

Lent is the time when we are called to prepare with joy for the great days of Holy Week and Easter. We do that by a time of reflection and self-examination, and by the traditional three-fold duties of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Originally Lent was a time of preparation for candidates who were to be admitted by baptism and confirmation to the Church’s full fellowship at the Easter Vigil. Now the Church recognises that we all need this time in order to prepare to renew the promises we made at our baptism at the Vigil and so I ask you to reflect on how you can mark this holy season of Lent.

Prayer

Prayer is central to the life of any believer: it is the life blood of our relationship with God, who loves us and has come to us in the life and death of Jesus Christ. Lent should be a season when we make sure we are giving time and focus to our prayer life both in the quiet of our homes and in the public worship of the Church. Lent is a time to reflect on the sources of prayerfulness that can sustain us and refresh us.

Fasting

Of course we are all familiar with the concept of ‘giving something up for Lent’ and that can be a good discipline for each one of us. Fasting in the Bible has other connotations though. It is also a sign of our stewardship of God’s creation: that we are not just in this life out to satisfy our own desires. The prophets of the Old Testament also talked about fasting as a concern for justice in the world. Fasting then is a call to reflect on how we live our lives in harmony with our care for the world and our neighbour.

Almsgiving

Almsgiving may now sound a rather old-fashioned word: at its heart is the duty we have as Christians to lead lives that give something to the society in which we live. As we reflect on our blessings and on the goodness of creation and on the story of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, we remember his message that what we do for our brothers and sisters in need we do also for him. Lent is a time to reflect on how we can live generous and open lives.live. As we reflect on our blessings and on the goodness of creation and on the story of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, we remember his message that what we do for our brothers and sisters in need we do also for him. Lent is a time to reflect on how we can live generous and open lives.

Lenten ‘Spiritual MOT’ - un contrôle technique spirituel pour Carême!

A chance to talk to any one of a team of experienced male or female, lay and ordained accompaniers here at St George’s about your prayer life—what goes on for you with God. Simply email your choice to make an appointment:

Rev’d Sara: macvanesara@gmail.com ;

Sonia Taylor: soniataylor146@gmail.com;

Fr Grant: wenlockholmes@gmail.com; 

Fr Jeffrey: drjphjohn@gmail.com;

Fr Mark : chaplain@stgeorgesparis.org ;

Fr Nicolas: rev.n.razafindratsima@gmail.com

Pick up a Lent leaflet to help you think through your Lent. You'll find it attached below. 

More helps on keeping a holy and happy Lent you'll find by clicking on Texts for Lent.

Recommended reading in Lent:

My Sour-Sweet Days: George Herbert and the Journey of the Soul by Mark Oakley (ISBN 978-0-281-08032-8); The Hour is Come: Passion in Real Time by Andrew Nunn (ISBN-978-1-78622-396-8) ;  Life on the Edge by Brother John of Taizé (ISBN-978-1-5326-1793-5).

Stations of the Cross on Zoom every Friday at 1900h. The link for online Stations will come in our e:News.

The Lent Course 2024

This year is on the four Gospels and will take place by Zoom on four Tuesdays, February 20, 27, March 5th and 12th at 1900h. To receive the link for joining send an email to Fr Jeffrey at drjphjohn@gmail.com

Mothering Sunday (Lent IV): March 10th 

Our children will be making cards in Sunday School and there will be a Blessing and distribution of flowers.

Weekday Worship in Lent

The Eucharist is celebrated on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 18.30 and on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 12 noon in the chapel. These short services are quiet and meditative: they can add a different rhythm to your life of prayer.

Holy Hour or Adoration of the Sacrament is on Wednesday after Evensong at 1815h. Silent prayer before the Jesus in the Sacrament.