Talking Point – March 2025

WE ARRIVE AT the season of Lent on 5 March, and it is good to consider giving things up for Lent, especially those that will assist your physical health, including eating and drinking less. It is also important to take care of our mental health, taking more time to find the rhythms in life and setting aside time for rest and relaxation. We need to consider our spiritual health too. Perhaps to linger more in the word of God and meditate on it. To pray all kinds of prayers for the world, this country, the church, for those in need, and for ourselves, our hopes and dreams. Let’s care for one another and seek intimacy with God.
I believe one of the best books in the Bible to cultivate intimacy is St John’s Gospel. This book contains several rich themes. Themes of LIGHT, much needed in the dark world we live in with war in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan. Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world’. What is the meaning of LIFE? A question many ask, perhaps increasingly so. Jesus said, ‘I have come that you might have life – life in all its fulness’. LOVE for one another, for the world, much needed amongst families, regions and countries. Let us supremely seek the love of God. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son so that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life’.
Each of these themes of light, life and love contained in John’s Gospel are set out in greater detail in his letters, especially the first. They build on the deep relationship the members of the Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, have with each other. We too can enter into that relationship through our union with Christ, as we put our faith and trust in Him. As we enter the season of Lent, perhaps take time to read the whole of St John’s gospel over the 40 days, maybe half of one of the twenty chapters a day. It is quite deep, but don’t be put off by one evangelical scholar’s observation that once he had preached through the whole book he felt he didn’t really understand it.
So, starting with the prologue that we read at Christmas, (here quoting from the Message) ‘The word became flesh and moved into the neighbourhood’, dwell on the miracles and teaching of Jesus to His passion, crucifixion and resurrection, and I believe it will draw us close and into deep intimacy with Him in preparation for Easter.
And enjoy the hot cross buns and Easter eggs when they arrive!
David Steed
Elder at Grace Church Caversham