Clergy Notes — Sunday, February 18, 2018

Lent has begun and we take the time to reflect as we journey through our own forty days in the wilderness, we take some quiet time amidst the business of our lives. When we try to take timeout, why does it feel even busier than usual?

The Answer: there is a ton of stuff going on. Whether at work, in our personal lives and here at St. James’, we are on the go. The Pancake breakfast after the High Mass last week was for me, a huge reminder of this. Listening to what is happening for so many of you, I was reminded again, just how tough it can be to find even fifteen minutes in a day to be quiet and intentionally spend time with God.

Having this quiet prayer time, being present with the Holy One is vital for our formation as followers of Christ. When we pray, the distance between us and God is reduced, we are brought closer to that love that never dies. Lent is one of the key times in the Christian year when we commit to taking the extra effort to find that time. How do we do it?

Well it turns out that it’s easier than we might think. When you are at home or in a place where you can take the opportunity to have this quiet time, let the people in your life know that you are going to take the amount of time you choose to go and pray. If it’s somewhere in your home, choose a room and ask not to be disturbed for the set amount of time. It might feel like you’re being rude, but you’re not.

It may be that you can spend time in prayer together as a family, but if like me, you live with a non-Christian person, or people, it is important (and respectful to them) to let them know what you are doing and why. It gives them the opportunity to support you, and allows for conversation around your practice, and you might be surprised at what you learn!

See you soon, Mother Lucy