Daily reflection for the Season of Lent

Thursday 11th March 2021

 

‘Offal!’

One of my happy memories of childhood was attending Scout camp. If the weather was okay, it was great fun! I have memories of canoeing and wandering through woodlands late at night listening to the local owl population. But if it rained, the heavy canvas tents – if touched from the inside – would leak water. Nothing worse than a soggy bed! I also have memories of camp food. The Scout Leaders, who gave so generously of their time, appeared to have an inexhaustible supply of tinned steak and kidney. As someone who has an intense dislike of offal in all its forms, this was a major hardship. What people do not understand about us ‘non-offal-eaters’ is that even the slightest trace will flavour the whole meal. For example, in a steak and kidney pie, all I can taste is the kidney. I do not remember when I first learned that offal was awful. I suspect my parents tried to make me eat liver and onions as a young child. If I were in that position today, I would be phoning the social work department and complaining about child cruelty…

Bible Reading

John 6:4

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

Reflection

We all have different tastes and preferences, especially in food. And the only way we find out if you like it, is by trying different flavours. Some things, like a hatred of offal, can only be learned from within personal experience. You can think about it, read about it, talk about etc., but it is only by eating it and consuming it, allowing the flavours to encounter your taste receptors, that you know and understand. There is an important spiritual lesson here. The only way we can come to an authentic knowledge of God is through our inner experience.  As Jesus put it – ‘no one can come to me unless the Father…draws them.’ In other words, only God can open our spiritual eyes and it must come from within our personal experience.
So in the words of Psalm 34:8 ‘Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.’

Prayers

We bless you, Lord, and praise you.
Your wonders are ever on our lips.
For we:
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Lord, thank you, for this food and all your gifts to us.
As we:
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Open our hearts, Lord, to others
especially those who hunger and hurt.
Together let us:
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Inspire us, Lord, and move us
to reach out in love to those in need
so all people may:
Taste and see that the Lord is good
Amen.

Blessing

May God the Father,
who does not despise the broken spirit,
give to you a contrite heart.
Amen.
May Christ,
who bore our sins in his body on the tree,
heal you by his wounds.
Amen.
May the Holy Spirit,
who leads us into all truth,
speak to you words of pardon and peace.
Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.