Third Sunday in Lent (15/03/20)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As I shared with the congregation at the Wednesday Eucharist, it wasn’t until the other day that I discovered in some reading that Brian Blessed (the English actor/comedian) is also actually an intrepid mountain climber and explorer. I only remember him from shows like ‘Black Adder.’ But he has in fact climbed several high peaks in South America, Mt Kilamanjaro in Tanzania, he survived a plane crash in Venezuela and has attempted three times an ascent of Mt Everest without additional oxygen assistance. He is also a fully trained astronaut and on the waiting list to go to the international space station. The comment added that even now being over eighty there is hope for all of us.
A question today and this week might be “What do you thirst for?” Perhaps it is to be overly adventurous like Brian Blessed, or it might be to deepen certain friendships and relationships. It could be about a hobby or a career pursuit. Being in the Season of Lent it might be about being able to slow down, reflect and draw nearer to God.
If you think about it, perhaps there are many things you thirst for in your life and that can be healthy. Especially so, when there is so much happening around us that might otherwise simply dampen our spirits. Perhaps the exercise of thinking through what you thirst for this week might help take our minds in different directions other than whatever the otherwise preoccupying issues of the day are, both good and bad.
What do you thirst for spiritually?
What might be some other things you are thirsting for at this time?
As you contemplate such things may Jesus be with you in your continued journey through Lent.

Fr Ian