Pause in Lent 3

Categories: a-pause-in-lent

Date: 17 March 2013 09:26:51

...but it should be 4. Or is it even 5?! Sorry, Floss, I've been less than faithful with my Pauses this year. I meant to try to "get into the zone", to be spiritual, and thoughtful, and erudite. As usual, I've managed none of these things!

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On her Pause, Floss asked if the image that she's used for several years to introduce the Pauses has any resonance with us. She explained where it came from (Saint Génis des Fontaines) and how the photo came to be taken. Angela writes about how she thought it was of Celtic origins. It is entitled "Christ in Majesty" and on Floss' post there is a better sized photo.

I like it. I'm not sure why, but I see a stern face, but one that is hiding a smile too. The fingers are lifted in blessing, and I feel comforted. Comforted that despite my very feeble efforts to follow him, Christ still will welcome me into his Kingdom. With a stern face, yes, as I suppose I must be judged, and I don't think that will be a very comfortable experience, but also with a blessing.

I do not deign to judge whether other people are "in" or "out" of God's Kingdom. Those who tell others that they do not believe the "right" things, or that they have not been saved unless they have spoken in tongues (Yes, that's what somebody told me as I was a week old Christian!) or had a "conversion experience" - I'm sorry, but I don't think they are helpful. Only God has the authority to judge, and, being perfect love and perfect justice, I am sure that He will do it just fine without our well-meaning but not always helpful help.

Nobody comes to the Father except by me (John 14:6) is a verse that has been argued about, discussed and unpicked. We don't really know what Jesus meant. I personally really like the interpretation "Nobody enters the Kingdom without my say-so" Christ,in his Majesty, is the judge. Only he decides who enters the Kingdom. It is not up to us. It is up to us to see the Christ in others, and to stand beside them in unity. We will all be judged. We will all face God's stern face...but we will be blessed too.

Fast from judging others; Feast on the Christ dwelling within them.

And as an end note, which is a bit of a tangent, I want to say how amazing and affirming I find it that in these days, when so many of us are feeling the pinch, and trying to save pennies where we can, Comic Relief's Red Nose Day raised its biggest total ever: £75,107,851 . Brilliant.