Leaning into Lent – Mary-Anne Rulfs
Another gruelling week for people near and far. ‘Normal’ or ‘predictable’ or even ‘safe’ seem vague concepts right now.
It’s Thursday night and I can hardly remember last Monday – the world has changed between then and now. An unusual weather system wreaked havoc down the Qld and NSW coast, while the situation for the people of Ukraine has become dire. People throughout Europe and around the world watch in bewilderment and fear.
I have found myself weeping more than once, viewing scenes of chaos and heartbreak and devastation. I’ve also wept for those in places overlooked by the media where conflict and the impact of unseasonal weather has become a normal part of life that goes largely unnoticed by the world.
What is breaking your heart this week?
And importantly, where do you find hope?
On Wednesday I wrote these words for inclusion in the next newsletter for Markeri St op shop volunteers:
It’s Ash Wednesday as I write.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day journey in the Christian tradition that makes room for us to think about love, forgiveness and life as we journey towards Easter, the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and victory over death.
Because of Easter we have courage to challenge injustice in our world.
Because of Easter, we can know forgiveness.
Because of Easter, we can find new ways of living life to the full with what we have.
It’s been a difficult few weeks for many people in our world. How do we manage the emotions that swamp us when we’re confronted by heart-breaking scenes on TV and in social media on a daily basis? One of the reasons we feel overwhelmed is because we feel helpless. We want to do something to help.
Please be assured that everything you do as an op shop volunteer is helping to create a kinder, more generous world. Every conversation, every smile, every gesture of kindness is a statement that there is goodness in the world. That ‘love wins’.
Our job description as human beings is first and foremost to love. To be kind. That’s Jesus’ message in a nutshell. Love God. Love others. Forgive your enemies and love them too (which doesn’t mean we don’t place healthy boundaries around the way we are treated. Forgiving doesn’t mean accepting destructive behaviour.)
Don’t forget to be kind to yourself – if you need to take a break from following the news, do so. And please find a listening ear if you feel overwhelmed.
As well as honouring the faithful work of our op shop volunteers, week in, week out, perhaps these words might encourage you to know that the good things you do, week in, week out, with little recognition, are the grace-filled actions that make God’s love accessible to the people you encounter and offer hope, whatever their circumstances – and especially during disorienting and bewildering times such as this.
Amongst the heartbreak, we have also witnessed many heartening acts of selfless kindness, courage, compassion and grace on our TV and news feeds. We’ve watched neighbours rescuing neighbours, strangers turning up to assist strangers, and volunteers working tirelessly to feed and comfort displaced people. We’ve heard reporters choke back tears.
This courage to be vulnerable with and for others has brought communities together.
The treasure Jesus wants us to seek during our Lenten journey is loving relationship with God and others as we ‘do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God’.
This is a journey of compassion and vulnerability in the company of others.
In order to be more loving and compassionate, let’s lean in and choose to be vulnerable –
vulnerable enough to feel our emotions,
vulnerable enough to risk being hurt sometimes,
vulnerable enough to forgive,
vulnerable enough to say we are sorry,
vulnerable enough to stop pretending we have all the answers,
vulnerable enough to ask for help when we’re not coping or even in danger,
vulnerable enough to be seen for who we are, and to know that’s enough for now,
vulnerable enough to give over the driving force of our lives from selfish ambition to the loving grace-filled ways of God.
During Lent let’s lean in so that we can grow in self-awareness and the courage to be vulnerable with others so we can love.