Light a Candle of Hope at 7pm Sunday Evening
Light a Candle of Hope at 7pm Sunday Evening
Light a Candle of Hope
A National Day of Prayer and action has been announced by the Presidents of Churches Together in England in response to the coronavirus pandemic for this Sunday 22nd March, 2020
They wrote:
‘At such a time as this, when so many are fearful and there is great uncertainty, we are reminded of our dependence on our loving Heavenly father and the future that he holds. Therefore, at 7.00pm this Sunday, light a candle in the windows of your homes as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and hope in prayer.’
Wherever you are in the world, we invite you to join with us in prayer to see an end to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Please read Mark 9: 30-37
This text formed the background to the homily for Elaine Williams’ funeral service on Thursday. The text highlights that Jesus wants us to welcome a child in His name. The child, as I said last Thursday, is representative of the vulnerable and needy, those who seek spiritual and practical help, those who want guidance with key events in their lives, those who want to simply be listened to and valued.
If you read Elaine’s funeral homily you can be reminded (If it were needed) of the many ways she responded to Jesus by welcoming a child and taking it into her arms to the wonderful ministry she offered. The children she received, the families she welcomed, the wedding couples she helped plan services for, the people saddened by the loss of a loved one she comforted, and the young families she shared Baptism joy with.
I gave a footnote to the homily at yesterday’s service. It went something like this ‘Elaine’s example is an example to us all today and moving forward. Coronavirus is challenging the world in so many ways. Please think how you can help the vulnerable around you. Think not just about yourself in your actions but about how your actions might help your neighbour. Italy is experiencing terrible suffering and yet the people I am told are trying to keep calm and their shops still have food on their shelves. Nurses who have worked 48 hours non-stop have not gone shopping exhausted to find no fresh food for them to stay healthy. Please think carefully as you light your candle and pray for the end of the virus. Think how throughout these challenging times you may take the child in your arms and welcome not just that child but all people in need. In other words, as we say each week at the Eucharist:
Recalling our Baptismal promises, we go forth to channel God’s love.
WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO WALK IN GOD’S LIGHT, TO REJOICE IN GOD’S LOVE AND TO REFLECT GOD’S GLORY.
May we add that the Easter light at the Easter Vigil reminds us of light overcoming darkness, goodness overcoming evil and New Life overcoming death. Pray for that light to come into our World of darkness at this time.
It’s a wonderful way that All Saints can remember Elaine, live out Jesus’ challenge and together support each other through these troubling times.
With my prayers,
Fr Jeremy
