St Helen

Reflection from Jon Ellis

Matthew 5.20-26

20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. 21 ¶ "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 25 "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (NIV)

REFLECTION

Righteousness surpassing that of the teachers of the law. That is all very well but… It is not easy, is it?

We have been watching the film, Chocolat as the Lent course this year. How temptation takes many forms, including of course, chocolate. The film explores themes of ultra religiousness during Lent, and the outworking of that in the villagers’ lives.

As today’s reading says, when the time comes, we will be judged, not by how many times we recited our Prayers of Penitence in church, but instead our judgement will be based on whether those prayers changed our attitudes after we have said them.

Lent is an opportunity to take time to reflect. Jesus spent a lot of time in the desert preparing for his ministry. Reflecting on what that meant and what he was going to do. Satan is quick to fill any gaps in our thoughts with things we know are not good for us. The film Chocolat cleverly looks at the difference between sin and happiness. It shows that happiness is based on doing what is right. If we are following God’s way, then chocolate (pleasure) is not wrong if it leads to times when we can show Jesus’ influence in our lives.

Jesus spent much time with sinners. He didn’t condemn them. He listened to them and showed them what was missing in their lives. I am reminded of one comment on our Facebook page by someone who visited Coffee@Maggies. He said that he’d enjoyed the café and there was “No hard sell”.

Having a chocolate cake at Maggies (or anywhere else) is not necessarily a sinful pleasure during Lent, as long as it is combined with Jesus-filled conversations.

COLLECT Lent 1

Heavenly Father, your Son battled with the powers of darkness, and grew closer to you in the desert: help us to use these days to grow in wisdom and prayer that we may witness to your saving love in Jesus Christ our Lord.

St Helen

Reflections

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