Dear Parents and Carers
We recently had experience of the amazing power of a gift, when our students wrote uplifting "Sunshine Letters" to older people in Wearne House (aged care home) and the Christ church Parish. The recipients of these letters were thrilled to receive an unsolicited message from a student, sharing a little bit of love around. Many of the residents were inspired to reply, and to offer advice or news with their student correspondents. We are especially grateful to Emily Kearney, who came up with the idea, and who was the driving force for this initiative.
Lent is almost upon us, and so the inter- House Pancake races will be held on Shrove Tuesday. This is the second year we have run this popular event, and reminds us all that Shrove Tuesday is an opportunity to enter into the spirit of Lent by using the butter and eggs, and other luxuries as we begin the long fast of Lent. As we "shrive" or throw off the things that hold us back, our Lent can be a time of reflection and spiritual growth.
We are leaving the Church season of Epiphany behind us, and approaching Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. We go from a period of revelation to one of reflection. Having heard the good news of the coming of our Lord, we are now invited to reflect on that powerful message in our own lives, and in how we respond to that revelation.
I was particularly struck this year about the story of Anna and Simeon in the Temple (Luke 2:22 to38). These two elderly people had spent their lives hoping that things would get better, and that finally things would change. Their faith in the promises of God was undimmed despite the passage of years, and their joy was unbounded when they recognised who they held in their arms. The tiny infant represented the fulfilment of the promise God had made to save His people from their shortcomings, and reveal the way back to Him.
For many, life is a constant hope that things will get better. For Simeon and Anna, their hope sustained them, along with their faith that God finally would act in the world. What changed was that they recognised the amazing gift that God was giving, and they reached out and took it, and held it.
Perhaps our message to reflect on for Lent, is that God is holding out a tiny gift, the answer to prayer. We are invited to take it. We do not have to be worthy of the gift, but only to want it, and to be thankful that it is offered.
That gift is the love of God, which is freely given. It may seem a little thing now, but it will eventually fill your heart.
God Bless
Canon James Tabor
School Chaplain