Embedded Files
Week 4 (The third Sunday after Ash Wednesday) - The Freedom of Renunciation
The Desert as a Place of Self-Denial and Austerity
Readings: Matthew 6:19-24 & Mark 10:17-31
Good morning. I am standing-in for Martin today, on this third Sunday after Ash Wednesday, whilst he and Charlotte are taking a well-earned break. This week, our Lenten journey will explore the desert as a place of self-denial and austerity.
I want to talk about the effects of materialism and to focus on the heavenly treasure that Jesus talked about in his most famous sermon (the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7).
This week, as I did last week, I am following the notes provided through Lectio 365 and Prayer 24/7, this time, with its emphasis on self-denial and austerity. I confess, I have struggled with this message to you today. Should I feel guilty about my lack of self-denial, my privileged lifestyle? I feel blessed to live here in France, with a steady financial resource that is my UK state pension, a comfortable lifestyle, surrounded by material wealth, supported by a superb health system, peace and solitude, more or less able to do as I wish, etc. My life is so unlike that of Jesus and the vast majority of the people of his time, and that of the ‘Desert Fathers and Mothers’ who followed Him. What a difference 2000 years has made.
A prayer.
Dear Lord, thank you for the blessings you have bestowed on our lives. You have provided us with more than we could ever have imagined. Thank you for the people who surround us, the safety you provide, and your constant, loving presence. Help us to always remember to show our gratitude in both prayer and in acts of kindness. We trust you to guide us and to provide for us. Thank you for this day, for the strength to face challenges, and for your unending love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
We are in a unique situation here in France. Most of us have given up our previous lives in lands afar. We emigrated to France, seeking a different life, coming with enough money to live on, whether from pension, savings or by remotely working to pay for our new found lifestyles.
Jesus asked his disciples to give up all their possessions and to follow him. In those far off days, there were no state benefits to help the poor. The poor often relied on charity and often died for lack of it. Today, things are very different. Charity has given way to a forced re-distribution of wealth, in the form of taxation based on wealth. True socialism.
We all pay taxes, whether directly or indirectly, whether through money that we have earned, things we have bought or sold, one way or the other. From Matthew 22:15-22, when questioned as to whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?, Jesus responded, “…. render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Whilst some politicians speak of our people in poverty, if we need it, and we choose it, the state is there to provide us with housing, food and security, one way or the other. The crazy thing that I am aware of is that, when we want to donate to the ‘poor’, how can we do that? Where are the ‘poor’? Do the ‘poor’ exist anymore? There are plenty of charities out there who will take our money – but how much of it actually goes to the ‘poor’?
Following on with the theme of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, our personality this week is a monk named Hyperechius, who was a Christian ascetic and monastic writer, active during the late 4th century or early 5th century AD. He most likely lived in Egypt, or what later became to be known as Palestine. He is known from the ‘Sayings of the Desert Fathers’, as well as a collection of 160 sayings known as the ‘Exhortation to the Monks’. Asceticism is characterised by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence. He is quoted as having said, "To accept poverty freely is the monk's treasure. Therefore, my brother, lay-up treasure in heaven, where there will be endless time for rest."
As a matter of interest, nuns (as opposed to monks) began as a formalised, cloistered religious movement for women in the early Christian church around the 4th century, evolving from earlier solitary consecrated virgins in the 3rd century. These early Christian women removed themselves from society to focus on prayer and contemplation in Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. But then, that is another sermon in its own right. I have made a list of prominent early female Christians, which is available in the parish room.
Our first reading read to us by Gillian, gives us the words of Jesus as, ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth….’, and, ‘But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven’. Jesus' invitation to his first disciples rings true today; to follow Jesus means being willing to let go of earthly trinkets in return for eternal treasure.
One of the most dangerous aspects of materialism is how subtly its power takes hold of our hearts. What feels like just normal ‘stuff’, actually has the ability to diminish God in our hearts and lives. Jesus warns us that money holds a unique power to gain mastery over us.
In an age of wealth, next-day delivery, and fast fashion, the idol of materialism is one that we encounter daily. What would it look like, during this season of Lent, to intentionally resist the powers of consumerism and materialism in our lives? What small acts of resistance could we each attempt as we journey towards Easter?
In our second reading, read to us by Sue, is a similar version of one of the readings from last week, in Matthew’s gospel. Here, in Mark’s gospel, a man ran up to Jesus and he asked, Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? When Jesus told him to, “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come follow me.” The man went away sad, because he had great wealth.
The modern day message of ‘get more to be happy, safe and fulfilled’ is the opposite of what we hear from the lips of Jesus. The average person in the Western world is exposed to an astonishing number of advertisements every single day, perhaps thousands of adverts daily. Each one of these is carefully curated to pull on your hopes, dreams or fears, to get you to buy something, follow someone, or do something to improve your life.
What, if anything, of your belongings would you most struggle to give up - car, house, clothes, make-up, games console, phone? What does your heart cling to? If you were to look through your online shopping history, your social media feed, or most recent bank statement, what would it say about where you look for security or significance in things?
Could you ‘oppose the tide’ or look to lay things down in pursuit of Jesus this week? Could you forego that purchase you have been waiting and saving for? Jesus’ message is consistently calling his followers to simplify their lives. To recognise the
fragility and worthlessness of worldly treasure and instead pursue a treasure that is
safeguarded for eternity.
As I said earlier, I really struggle with this. I have so much. I am truly blessed in this life. What am I prepared to give up for Lent? My time to help others, is the easy answer. But that’s no hardship to me, as that is how I live my life already.
A monk’s life is not for me. I like my comforts in life too much. I am selfish by nature. I need projects to engage in, challenges in life, to find things that are out of my comfort zone - although I am getting a bit old in the tooth for too much excitement nowadays.
I have decided to ‘downsize’. To put my affairs in order. To get rid of ‘stuff’. Material things that I don’t need anymore. There! I shall continue with my daily ‘medicinal’ glass of wine of an evening, and I will strive for a better understanding of what God wants of me. How about you?
I will close with a prayer, written by Walter Brueggemann, as suggested within our Lent notes. It is quite long, but I will read it in full for its thoughtful guidance.
Father God, You are the God who feeds and nourishes.
You are the God who assures that we have more than enough, and we do not doubt that you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Even in such an assurance, however, we scramble for more food.
After we have filled all our baskets with manna, we seek a surplus - enough education to plan ahead, enough power to protect our supply, enough oil to assure that protection.
And in the midst of that comes your word, that we share bread and feed the hungry, even to the least and so to you.
We mostly keep our bread for ourselves, our neighbours, and our friends.
It does not occur to us often, to feed our enemies, to share your bounty with those who threaten us.
We do not often remember to break vicious cycles of hostility
by free bread,
by free water,
by free wine,
by free milk.
Until we remember that you are the giver of all good gifts, ours to enjoy,
ours to share.
Stir us by your spirit beyond fearful accumulation toward outrageous generosity,
that giving bread to others makes for peace,
that giving drink to others makes for justice,
that giving and sharing opens the world, and assures abundance for all.
We pray this even as we ponder the gift of your Son whom we ingest as bread and wine, and tasting, find ourselves forgiven and renewed.
Feed us till we want no more!? Amen.
Jess Jephcott
Marking International Women's Day
Prominent Early Female Christians.
Prominent early female Christians were foundational leaders, evangelists, and martyrs who drove the expansion of the 1st–5th century Christian church. Key figures included Mary Magdalene, Apostle Junia, and Phoebe, alongside influential martyrs like Perpetua and Felicity. Others, such as Thecla, Macrina the Younger, and the Desert Mother Amma Syncletica, were vital in developing theology and monasticism.
Mary Magdalene: Recognized as a prominent disciple, "apostle to the apostles," and key leader who remained with Jesus at the cross and was the first witness to the resurrection.
Junia: Identified by Paul in Romans 16:7 as outstanding among the apostles.
Phoebe: A deaconess of the church in Cenchreae trusted by Paul to deliver his letter to the Romans.
Thecla: A 1st-century noblewoman who, according to apocryphal acts, was converted by Paul, becoming a teacher and traveling preacher.
Perpetua and Felicity: North African martyrs (d. 203) whose, with Perpetua writing one of the earliest known narratives by a Christian woman, highlighting their courage under persecution.
Lydia of Thyatira: A dealer in purple cloth and early convert in Philippi who hosted a house church.
Macrina the Younger: A 4th-century monastic leader and theologian who profoundly influenced her brothers, Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa.
Amma Syncletica of Alexandria: An early Desert Mother who renounced her wealth to live in solitude, becoming a mentor on asceticism.
Helena: Mother of Constantine, known for her influence on the Christianisation of the Roman Empire.
Egeria: A 4th-century traveller who wrote a detailed account of her pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Priscilla: A leader of a house church alongside her husband, Aquila.
Chloe & Apphia: Mentioned as leaders of early house churches.
Proba: Regarded as the first female Christian poet/writer.
Melania the Elder: A 4th-century noblewoman known for supporting Christian orders.
Page updated
Report abuse