Temptation rarely arrives wearing a disguise that is easy to recognize. More often, it quietly invites us to settle for comfort, complacency, and lives that ask very little of us. This reflection explores the subtle temptations that can dull our spiritual lives and the gentle call of Christ to remain awake, attentive, and open to the transforming work of God’s grace.
Tag Archives: Lent
The First Sunday of Lent: When the Journey Begins Before We Feel Ready
The journey of Lent rarely begins at the moment we feel fully prepared. Like so much of the Christian life, it starts with an invitation to trust God before we have everything figured out. This reflection explores the courage of taking the first step, discovering that God’s grace is already waiting for us on the road ahead.
Before We Improve Ourselves: Letting God Like Us First
Lent often awakens the desire to become better people. Yet before God calls us to change, God first calls us beloved. This reflection explores the liberating truth that spiritual growth begins not with earning God’s approval, but with receiving the grace of being loved exactly where we are, and allowing that love to transform us from the inside out.
Learning to Walk Slower: Lent, Fridays, and the Spiritual Discipline of Not Rushing
Lent invites us to do something that feels surprisingly difficult: slow down. In a world that rewards hurry, the deliberate pace of the season becomes its own spiritual discipline. This reflection explores the grace of walking more slowly, discovering that God’s voice is often heard most clearly when we stop rushing long enough to listen.
The Morning After the Ashes: When Lent Feels Awkward, Ordinary, and Slightly Underwhelming
The morning after Ash Wednesday rarely feels dramatic. The ashes have faded, ordinary routines have returned, and Lent begins with a quiet awkwardness that can seem almost underwhelming. This reflection explores the gentle grace of these ordinary beginnings, reminding us that God often does God’s deepest work not through dramatic moments, but through the faithful rhythms of everyday discipleship.
Ash Wednesday: The Day the Church Tells the Truth (Gently, and With Ashes)
Ash Wednesday begins with a simple but profound truth: we are dust, and to dust we shall return. Yet the ashes are never a sign of despair. They are traced in the shape of the cross, reminding us that our mortality is held within God’s mercy. This reflection explores the gentle honesty of Ash Wednesday and the hope that begins when we entrust ourselves once again to God’s unfailing grace.
Shrove Tuesday: Or, the Day the Church Invented Pancakes (for Holy Reasons)
Before the quiet disciplines of Lent begin, the Church has long known the wisdom of celebrating with pancakes, laughter, and generous hospitality. Shrove Tuesday reminds us that feasting and fasting belong together in the Christian life. This reflection explores the joyful theology behind one of the Church’s most delicious traditions and the grace of preparing our hearts with both gratitude and good humour.
Beloved: A Scriptural Reflection for Our LGBTQIA2S+ Siblings
Every person is created in the image of God and is deeply, unconditionally loved by the One who calls each of us “beloved.” Drawing upon the witness of Scripture, this reflection offers a message of hope, dignity, and affirmation to LGBTQIA2S+ siblings in Christ, reminding us that God’s love is steadfast, inclusive, and life-giving, and that the Church is at its best when it reflects the generous welcome of Jesus.
Reading for Justice: A Personal Invitation
Reading widely and thoughtfully can become a spiritual practice that expands both our understanding and our compassion. Books that challenge our assumptions invite us to listen more deeply, seek justice more faithfully, and grow in love for our neighbours. This reflection offers a personal invitation to embrace reading as part of Christian discipleship, reminding us that hearts and minds are transformed when we are willing to learn with humility and courage.
Leading from Joy: What’s Good, What’s Now, What’s News
Christian leadership flourishes not through anxiety or constant urgency, but through joy rooted in the presence of God. Paying attention to what is good, what is happening now, and where new possibilities are emerging helps us lead with hope rather than fear. This reflection explores the spiritual discipline of joyful leadership, reminding us that gratitude, attentiveness, and trust in the Holy Spirit can transform the way we serve God’s people and embrace the future.