Sunday 24 March Third Sunday in Lent

“Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other? They weren’t.” (Luke 13:1-9)

To what do we owe chance?

Monday 25 March The Annunciation of the Lord

Lovely to have this beautiful feast in the middle of Lent. We are at the 10:30 Mass in the Cathedral.

The beautiful words at the end of the Magnificat:

“Let what you have said be done to me, and the Angel left her.” (Luke 1:26-38)

Tuesday 26 March

I feel guilty: I have given up absolutely nothing for Lent. I can’t be bothered – not even angered by five hundred hours of Brexit debate.

“Not seven, I tell you, but seventy seven.” (Matthew 18:21-35)

How many times do we forgive? Once, or not at all?

Wednesday 27 March

“Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.” (Matthew 5:17-19)

A demanding passage, but view it as an injunction to keep trying rather than to be overcome by a sense of failure.

Having met with Orthodox Jews at the inaugural meeting of the Values Foundation, they have been teaching their children their faith for five thousand years. I am one of just twenty-one to vote against compulsory relationships and sex education.

Thursday 28 March

“He who is not with me is against me. And he who does not gather with me scatters.” (Luke 11:14)

Is this a command to be with him always? So easy to say – so difficult to do.

Friday 29 March

“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:28-34)

This is what we would all like to hear. Can we live a life to make it happen?

Saturday 30 March

The village church is locked all day, so I just read Universalis.

“I thank you God that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous, like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here.” (Luke 18:9-14)

Are we too often like that?