Description
South Australian Council of Churches
Ecumenical Lenten Resource 2016
‘Return to God: Divine Grace and Human Struggle’
‘Return to God: divine grace and human struggle’ offers 6 sessions, focusing on a range of Gospels during
the Lenten season, and includes prayer, icons, art, time for sharing, and encouragement for action in daily
life, with reflections from the lived experience of being Roman Catholic, Coptic Orthodox and Protestant.
Above is a beautiful Coptic Icon, written by the late Coptic Iconographer, Isaac Fanous [1919-2007]. It
shows our Lord Jesus taking Adam and Eve out of Hades. When Jesus died on the cross, His human soul
went down to Hades like all human souls. But because Jesus’ soul was united to His divinity, it was
impossible for Hades to capture it [Acts 2:31].
Rather, he freed the righteous souls which repented and died in the hope of the coming of the Messiah.
This is related to our theme, because repentance itself cannot free us from corruption without God’s
saving act and grace, even though human part remains necessary.
INTRODUCTION
In 2016, the Western Church celebrates Easter on 27 March 2016 and the Orthodox Church celebrates
Easter on 1 May 2016. Lent for the Western Church begins on Ash Wednesday 10 February 2016, and
Monday 14 March 2016 is the beginning of the Great Lent in the Orthodox Church. As such, groups may be
starting any time from early February through to mid-March, and ending from end of March to the end of
April.
Lent – Easter – Pentecost 2016
Western Orthodox
Lent Begins Ash Wednesday Beginning of Great Lent
10 February 2016 14 March 2016
Easter Sunday 27 March 2016 1 May 2016
Pentecost 15 May 2016 19 June 2016
Note: In 2017 Christians from all traditions will celebrate Easter on the same day - 16 April. The two dates coincide when the full
moon following the equinox comes so late that it counts as the first full moon after 21 March in the Julian calendar as well as the
Gregorian For more information please visit: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/wcc-commissions/faith-and-
order-commission/i-unity-the-church-and-its-mission/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-date-of-easter
Content
This Ecumenical Lenten Resource for 2016 is grounded in the Gospels that will be proclaimed in the Roman
Catholic Church and in the Coptic Orthodox Church for each Sunday during Lent/the Great Lent.
Many will find that the Roman Catholic Gospel is the same one that is read in many Protestant Churches in
this time. For some others, it will be a different Gospel that is chosen.
We rejoice in this diverse listening to the Word of God, and recognise that this diversity will add to the
conversations as groups gather during Lent.
Each of the two selected Gospels is followed by suggested Reflections, offering overall three different
perspectives, drawn from the lived experience of being Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant.
Icons and images are also included, and we invite you to reflect on them. You may find the notes
regarding Icons in the Orthodox Church and Icons: Glimpses of Eternity helpful [page 6].
Likewise, you may wish to use Visio Divina [page 7]. Visio Divina means praying with images, or using an
image as a focal point for prayer, in order that we might open ourselves further to receive the Word of
God. Some notes regarding Lectio Divina [page 8] are also included for those who wish to use that form.
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Format – see also Guidelines for Leaders and Participants
There are 6 sessions, focusing on a range of Gospels during the Lenten season, and including prayer, icons,
art, time for sharing, and encouragement for action in daily life.
We suggest each last around 1½ hours to enable slow meditative reading of the Gospels, and sharing
through prayer, reflection and conversation.
SA Council of Churches hopes that groups will be diverse and will learn from the sharing in the gathering.
Especially we encourage you to use the resource imaginatively and in ways that open up conversation and
reflection, making space for sharing new insights about the individual and community ‘Return to God:
divine grace and human struggle’
Acknowledgements
‘Return to God: divine grace and human struggle’ has been prepared by a Working Team from South
Australian Council of Churches Ecumenical Learning Committee:
Mary Camilleri, Staff Spiritual and Religious Formation, Catholic Education SA
Heshmat Keroloss, Theologian, Coptic Orthodox Church
Ted Wright, Part Time Lecturer, Catherine Booth College, Salvation Army
with assistance from John Littleton, Anglican Diocese of Adelaide and Convenor of SACC Ecumenical
Learning Committee, together Martine Hawkes [layout], and Melanie Macrow and Geraldine Hawkes, SA
Council of Churches.
All images in this resource appear with acknowledgement or attribution, are reproduced here with either
kind permission or exist within the public domain.
4 November 2015
South Australian Council of Churches, 65 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Ph: +618 8215 0300 | E: sacc@picknowl.com.au | www.sacc.asn.au
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Overview of the Sunday Gospel Readings during Lent/the Great Lent 2016
a. Roman Catholic Church
The Liturgy of the Hours is the richest single prayer resource of the Christian Church, with prayers,
psalms and readings for each of the Hours, changing each day and through the seasons.
Scripture readings are available in the Catholic Lectionary for Mass, where it is easy to obtain an
overview of all the readings used in a particular liturgical season (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter)
and/or in a particular year of Ordinary Time (Sundays in Years A, B, C; Weekdays in Years I & II).
There is normally an intentional thematic connection between the Gospel & the Psalm.
The Gospel readings for Lent are arranged as follows:
? The first and second Sundays maintain the accounts of the Temptation and Transfiguration of the
Lord, with readings, however, from all three Synoptics.
? On the next three Sundays, the Gospels about the Samaritan woman, the man born blind, and the
raising of Lazarus have been restored in Year A. Because these Gospels are of major importance in
regard to Christian initiation, they may also be read in Year B and Year C, especially in places
where there are catechumens.
? Other texts, however, are provided for Year B and Year C: for Year B, a text from John about
Christ's coming glorification through his Cross and Resurrection, and for Year C, a text from Luke
about conversion.
? On Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion the texts for the procession are selections from the
Synoptic Gospels concerning the Lord's solemn entry into Jerusalem. For the Mass the reading is
the account of the Lord's Passion.
(Lectionary for Mass, “Introduction,” chap. 5)
b. Coptic Orthodox Church
The main concern of the Church during the Great Lent is repentance and return to God. This is done
through human willingness and God’s grace. The interaction between human part and divine part,
human willingness and effort, and God’s grace (synergia) is essential.
Two weeks before the Great Lent, the Church fasts for three days called “the fast of Nineveh”, in
commemoration of the fast and repentance of the people of Nineveh (the book of Jonah).
There is then a preparatory week before the forty days of the Great Lent. The Gospel of this week is
Matthew 6:1-18 on almsgiving, prayer and fasting because through these three practices one gets
out of one’s self and recognises the other, which is an important part of repentance and return to
God, which is the main concern of the Great Lent.
c. Your Sunday Gospel
Each week we encourage all to share whatever Gospel is to be read on the following Sunday and to
consider also how is it selected…what themes are apparent… does it connect with other parts of the
Sunday Worship?
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Sunday Gospels used in this Lenten Resource
Roman Catholic Coptic Orthodox Your Sunday Gospel
Week 1 Luke 4:1-13 Matthew 6:19-33
Week 2 Luke: 9:28b-36 Matthew 4:1-11
Week 3 Luke: 13: 1-9 Luke 15:11-32
Week 4 Luke: 15:1-3, 11-32 John 4:1-42
Week 5 John: 8:1-11 John 5:1-18
Week 6 Luke 22:14 to 23:56 John 9:1-41
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Icons in the Orthodox Church
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON
& THE HOLY SPIRIT ONE GOD AMEN
Icons in the Church are not just Religious Art, but have theological, spiritual, and educational significance.
Theologically, icons are based on the doctrine of the Incarnation of the Son of God, in Whom we have seen
and touched God.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we
have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life – the life was manifested,
and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and
was manifested to us – that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have
fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these
things we write to you that your joy may be full.” [1Jn 1:1-4]
“No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has
declared Him.” [Jn 1:18]
Every time we look at icons, touch, and kiss them, we commemorate the mystery of the Logos who
became flesh and dwelt among us [Jn 1:14], God who appeared in flesh,
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh”
[1Tim 3:16]
Spiritually, the icons of our Lord Jesus Christ, St Mary, the martyrs, and the saints represent the presence
of our Lord and the saints in the church, especially during the Divine Liturgy. This fact was manifested to
many righteous persons throughout time to whom Christ, angels and the saints have appeared during the
Liturgy.
Educationally, icons portray the main figures and events of salvation which help the believer in their
spiritual life, that they may be inspired by them.
From a resource prepared by St Mary and Anba Bishoy Coptic Orthodox Church, South Australia
Icons: Glimpses of Eternity
The icon was also seen as ''theological language in colour'' highlighting the sacredness of created matter.
Now, as windows on eternity, icons are theological ''symbols'' not only pointing forward towards future or
transcendent realities, but actually directly participating in these as well.
Mr Philip Kariatlis, St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College
For more information please visit: http://www.greekorthodox.org.au/general/orthodoxchristianity/icons
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Visio Divina #1
Visio Divina means praying with images, or using an image as a focal point for prayer, in order that we
might open ourselves further to receive the Word of God.
Sit with the picture. Explore it from the bottom up. Allow it to speak to your life at this moment.
You are invited to see all there is to see, exploring the entirety of the image. Look deeply, beyond first
and second impressions, below initial ideas, judgments, or understandings. You are invited to be seen,
addressed, surprised, and transformed by God who is never limited or tied to any image, but speaks
through them. Explore the image slowly, taking your time to let feelings and thoughts come to you as
you take in forms, figures, colours, lines, textures and shapes.When you are ready …
a. What does it look like, or remind you of?
b. What do you find yourself drawn to?
c. What do you like and not like?
d. What are your initial thoughts?
e. What feelings are evoked?Return to the image with an open heart and open mind. Be aware of your response and ponder
prayerfully what this response means for you and how it is directly connected to your life?You might like to jot down in a journal or whatever way is most helpful for you the insights you what to
remember, actions you are invited to take, wisdom you hope to embody, or any feelings or thoughts
you wish to express.Bring your prayer to a close by resting in God's grace and love.
OR
Visio Divina #2
God speaks to us in many ways–through relationships, our experiences, sacred texts such as the Bible and
many more. Visio divina, Latin for divine seeing, is praying with images to listen to God’s words. Like lectio
divina, Latin for divine reading, Visio divina has four steps:
Read the text (in this case art) slowly, taking a first glance noting the colors, people, places and
things. Remain with the image for one to two minutes. If you would like, jot down a few words
about the image.Take a second, deeper, look. Where is there movement? What relationships do you see? Engage
your imagination. Where are you in the artwork? What do you see from that perspective? What
deeper meaning emerges?Respond to the image with prayer. Did the image remind you of an experience, person or issue for
which you’d like to offer thanksgiving or intercession? Offer that prayer to God.Find your quiet centre. Breathe deeply. Relax your shoulders, arms and legs. Rest in this quiet. Let
God pray in you. God prays beyond words.
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Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina [Latin] means sacred or divine reading and is a prayerful reading of Scripture.
The following is a suggested way of Lectio Divina.
One person from the group could slowly read the passage from the selected Gospel, and then another
slowly repeat it.
Is there a word or phrase that jumps out at you or grabs your attention?
Write down that word or phrase.
Take five minutes to quietly savour this phrase.
You might find it helpful to repeat the phrase silently to yourself.
What you are seeking to do is to allow the phrase to rest quietly in your heart.
At the end of five minutes, take a further five minutes to consider what this phrase or word might mean
for your life. You could write down something you will do in response to this reflection.
Or you may prepare a word or two of prayer for the grace to change your disposition or behaviour.
Group members might like to share with one another some thoughts arising from this time of prayer.
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Week 1 of Lent/the Great Lent
- Gathering & Prayer
• Introductions to one another and any expressions of hope for your journey through Lent/the
Great Lent.
• Opening Prayer, giving thanks for the insights and asking that our hearts may remain open to
returning more fully to God.
- Sunday Gospels & Reflections
Roman Catholic
Theme: The Temptation of Jesus: Filled by the Holy
Spirit, Jesus was led by the Spirit through the
wilderness where he was tempted.
Psalm 90: Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
Gospel: Luke 4:1-13
Reflection:
God’s mercy is offered to all of us. We seek not to test
whether God loves us but to love God wholeheartedly
and unconditionally; we are to remain faithful no matter
what hardships may test us. Repentance is expressed in Ivan Kramskoy / ‘Christ in the Wilderness’ / Public Domain
giving to God what belongs to God and we are reminded
that repentance encompasses, mind, heart and practice.
Coptic Orthodox
Theme: The Treasures Sunday
Gospel: Matthew 6:19-33 Key verses 19, 33
Reflection:
Jesus’ teaching on laying up treasure in heaven follows his teaching
on the attitude and motivation for almsgiving.
- What is your greatest treasure?
- What priorities are expressed in the way that you use your treasure?
- What is your motivation for giving to God?
- Is this gospel reading only concerned with financial treasures?
Jesus Christ / CopticChurch.Net
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Reflections on the Coptic Orthodox Gospel from a Protestant perspective
“All is vanity.” We read this sentence five times in the book of Ecclesiastes as Qoheleth the teacher
or preacher reflects on life.
As we reflect on our lives, what is really important? Listen to people around you. What do they talk
about? Is it financial matters? Is it a career achievement? Is it some new acquisition? Is it the
success of sporting teams? As you listen, you come to understand what is important to them.
How would our conversation change if Jesus were physically present?
Jesus was actually quite clear about life priorities. It was not earthly wealth, but heavenly treasure.
It was not the dark, unhealthy stimuli of the earthly world, but the light, healthy stimuli of his world.
It was not even a life of vacillation between this world and his, but an absolute focus on his, a whole
hearted devotion to him and his kingdom.
What does your life say about your priorities? Is it summed up in Bernie Taupin’s lyrics to the Elton
John song “Candle in the wind”?
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
Or does your life reflect the conclusion of Qoheleth in Ecclesiastes 12:13, “The end of the matter; all
has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone.”
Jesus gave us clear direction about life priorities in his Gethsemane prayer, “Not my will but yours be
done.” (Luke 22:42)
- Closing Prayer
In silence, choose one feature from the time together and
pray from it. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to something
that God thinks is particularly important.
This may involve a feeling ? encouraging or discouraging. It
may be a word or gesture that has significance for you. Or it
may be something that is emerging that seemed at the time
rather insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the
prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart ? whether of
intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude. ‘Giving Heart’ / CC-BY-SA-3.0
Some people may choose to share a word, or an insight, or a prayer: others may prefer to remain
silent.
Together: In all we are and in all we do, let us give glory to the Father, Son and Spirit, as it was in the
beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
You may wish to offer one other a sign of peace as this time draws to a close.
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Week 2 of Lent/the Great Lent
- Gathering & Prayer
• Take a few moments to recall the previous session. What particularly touched you? What new
insight about the human struggle, or divine grace, did you receive? Share as you wish.
• Opening Prayer, giving thanks for the insights and asking that our hearts may remain open to
returning more fully to God.
- Sunday Gospels & Reflections
Roman Catholic
Theme: The Transfiguration: As Jesus prayed, the
aspect of his face was changed, and his
clothing became brilliant as lightning.
Psalm 26: The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Gospel: Luke: 9:28b-36
Reflection:
We must all be led up the mountain to the place that
gives us larger horizons and deeper hearts. Unless
we concentrate on finding God, on letting ourselves
be overshadowed by the cloud and on listening to
the word, we will be oblivious of whose presence we
are in and who seeks to draw us into friendship with
God. In gratitude we grow in understanding. We
awaken and see the glory of God in Jesus.
Sieger Köder / ‘The Transfiguration of Christ’ / Public Domain
Coptic Orthodox
Theme: The Temptation Sunday
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
Reflection:
Once one takes one’s spiritual life seriously, one will definitely face the devil’s temptations. In Christ
we will conquer as He conquered.
? What is your greatest temptation?
? What is the basis of that temptation?
? What does your strategy for dealing with temptation look like?
? Is your strategy based on human strength as in Genesis 3 or on God’s strength?
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Reflections on the Coptic Orthodox Gospel from a Protestant perspective
For we do not have a high priest who is
unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but we have one who in every respect has
been tested as we are, yet without sin.
(Heb 4:15-16)
Once one takes one’s spiritual life seriously,
one will definitely face the devil’s
temptations. In Christ we will conquer as He
conquered. (Heshmat Keroloss)
It is interesting to draw some comparisons
between the temptation and fall off
humankind in Genesis 3 and the temptation
and victory of Jesus in Matthew 4.
Duccio / ‘The Temptation on the Mount’ / Public Domain
Humankind was tempted in a luxuriant garden with an abundance of food. Jesus was tested in the
desert suffering hunger.
Both were tempted with the allure of aggrandisement, of being the centre of life in lieu of centring
their lives God and his commands.
Humankind’s temptation involved a distortion of God’s command. Jesus’ temptation involved
scripture, accurately stated, but completely out of context. Humankind’s rebuttal of this involved
adding to God’s command. Jesus’ rebuttal faithfully quoted God’s word.
To me, the most significant difference in the two situations is the issue of relationship. The Genesis
account uses the word Elohim in referring to God, quite at odds with the surrounding text that uses
the word Yahweh. Elohim is a majestic portrayal of God rather than an intimate relational portrayal
of God using the word Yahweh. On each occasion where Jesus responds from scripture, the Old
Testament text uses the word Yahweh. This focus on relationship with God is the key to overcoming
temptation.
We can be assured of temptation, but we can be assured of overcoming temptation.
- Closing Prayer
In silence, choose one feature from the time together and pray from it. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct
you to something that God thinks is particularly important.
This may involve a feeling ? encouraging or discouraging. It may be a word or gesture that has
significance for you. Or it may be something that is emerging that seemed at the time rather
insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart ?
whether of intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude.
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Some people may choose to share a word, or an insight, or a prayer: others may prefer to remain silent.
Together: In all we are and in all we do, let us give glory to the Father, Son and Spirit, as it was in the
beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
You may wish to offer one other a sign of peace as this time draws to a close.
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and practice of ecumenism across the Churches of South Australia
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Week 3 of Lent/the Great Lent
- Gathering & Prayer
• Take a few moments to recall the previous session. What particularly touched you? What new
insight about the human struggle, or divine grace, did you receive? Share as you wish.
• Opening Prayer, giving thanks for the insights and asking that our hearts may remain open to
returning more fully to God.
- Sunday Gospels & Reflections
Roman Catholic
Theme: Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
Unless we repent we will all perish as they did.
Psalm 102: The Lord is kind and merciful.
Gospel: Luke: 13: 1-9
Reflection:
We are to reform our lives, to be a people of ongoing conversion,
to radical change, to turn back towards God. Jesus presents us
with a warning, an examination of conscience and a chance to
choose where we stand and what we think we are according to
God’s criteria. We must listen and feel with God the agony of
those who suffer and then we are to do penance, fast, give alms
and work mightily for justice.
Georgie Sharp / ‘Tree at Sunrise’ /
Reproduced with kind permission of Mary Camilleri
Coptic Orthodox
Theme: The Prodigal Son
Gospel: Luke 15:11-32
Reflection:
This is the first example the Church sets for us of
repentance: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and
before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son;
treat me like one of you hired servants” (v19).
God is a Father who is ready and willing to forgive His
repentant son when he returns to Him in true humility.
? How do you understand the word repentance?
? How do you understand the word forgiveness?
? Are you worthy of God’s forgiveness?
? In what ways do you demonstrate the
forgiveness of God in your life? ‘The Icon of Repentance/Prodigal Son’ (detail) / Public Domain
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Reflections on the Coptic Orthodox Gospel from a Protestant perspective
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early. (Hosea 6:4)
Can’t you just feel the cry of anguish in these verses as God weeps for his people who have rejected
him and prostituted themselves to other gods, as Hosea’s wife Gomer had left him to live as a
prostitute?
Can’t you just feel the anguish of the father in the parable of the prodigal son, a parable that some
scholars interpret as a metaphor of the rejection of God by his chosen people, as he feels the pain of
separation from his son?
Having not only rejected his father, but in asking for his share of the inheritance wished that his
father were dead, the son has humiliated his father. Can you imagine the father’s pain?
Can you also imagine the depths of despair to which the son has sunk, working with unclean animals?
Can you imagine the depths of despair of the son in coming to the realisation that he is no longer
worthy to be called his father’s son?
But being worthy and earning the father’s forgiveness is not part of Jesus’ message. It certainly was
an attitude of the younger brother and is the attitude of many church goers today. But Jesus’
message is one that portrays the father as ever loving, eagerly awaiting to receive his people again.
In fact, as the father runs to greet the returning son in a manner that was clearly undignified, even
humiliating for himself to the Jewish way of thinking. Like Hosea did in redeeming Gomer, he does
away with all outward appearances of respectability, and expresses his joy at the reconciliation.
What a wonderful promise that no matter how far we have distanced ourselves from God, no matter
how unworthy of his love we have become, God patiently, even anxiously, awaits our return to him
and responds so lavishly in his amazing grace.
- Closing Prayer
In silence, choose one feature from the time together and pray from it. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct
you to something that God thinks is particularly important.
This may involve a feeling ? encouraging or discouraging. It may be a word or gesture that has
significance for you. Or it may be something that is emerging that seemed at the time rather
insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart ?
whether of intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude.
Some people may choose to share a word, or an insight, or a prayer: others may prefer to remain
silent.
Together: In all we are and in all we do, let us give glory to the Father, Son and Spirit, as it was in the
beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
You may wish to offer one other a sign of peace as this time draws to a close.
South Australian Council of Churches: nurturing and nourishing the understanding, spiritual growth
and practice of ecumenism across the Churches of South Australia
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Week 4 of Lent/the Great Lent
- Gathering & Prayer
• Take a few moments to recall the previous session. What particularly touched you? What new
insight about the human struggle, or divine grace, did you receive?
• Opening Prayer, giving thanks for one another and asking that our hearts may remain open to
returning more fully to God.
- Sunday Gospels & Reflections
Roman Catholic
Theme: Parable of the Prodigal Son
Your brother was dead and has come to life.
Psalm 33: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Gospel: Luke: 15:1-3, 11-32
Reflection:
This is Laetare Sunday, a time for rejoicing as we are
reminded of the mercy and forgiveness of God. In the
parable we learn that God does not hold our
transgressions against us but reconciles us to Godself and
then graciously gives us the message of reconciliation to
give to others. It reveals the hardness of our hearts and
calls us to atone, restore and repair. The relationship of
the sons to the father is the vertical dimension of the
cross; and the relationship of the brothers to each other
is the horizontal dimension. A gap in either dimension
reveals those who take God’s mercy for granted. Each
one of us needs forgiveness, more than we know or wish
Charlie Mackesy / ‘Prodigal Daughter’ / © Charlie Mackesy 2015 to acknowledge. We rejoice in the grace of God.
Coptic Orthodox
Theme: The Samaritan Woman
Gospel: John 4:1-42
Reflection:
Christ is ready to offer “the living water”, the gift of God to the thirsty soul that misses the mark in
seeking her joy and rest.
? What aspects of the Samaritan Woman’s encounter with Jesus particularly stand out for you:
o Confrontation?
o Confusion?
o Clarification?
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? How would you compare your encounters with the presence of Jesus with the Samaritan
Woman’s encounter?
? How have you responded to the offer of living water?
Reflections on the Coptic Orthodox Gospel from a Protestant perspective
One can hardly imagine that going about one’s daily business, drawing water from a well, in a way that
would minimise the chance of an encounter with others, in the midday sun, would lead to an encounter
that would be a crossroad experience, an experience that would involve confrontation, confusion and
clarification. The confrontation is totally unexpected as Jesus breaks the social conventions of the day
and speaks to not only a Samaritan, not only a Samaritan woman, but a Samaritan woman who is living
a lifestyle at odds with the Mosaic Law! Clearly
the Samaritan woman is uncomfortable and as we
read, we can just empathise with her as she tries
to end this encounter.
In doing this, the conversations becomes confused
with the woman focussing on the everyday
physical meaning of Jesus’ words in an attempt,
maybe a deliberate attempt to avoid facing the
spiritual issues about which Jesus is speaking.
And yet we get the impression that Jesus’ insight
into this woman’s life and his persistence is both
convincing and convicting.
At this stage, the Samaritan woman gains
clarification of her reality and responds, not just in
the way that the prodigal son responded, but with
gratitude and witnessing to the presence of the
Messiah, and the reality of his provision of “living
Fr. Iostinos (iconographer) / ‘Woman at the Well, Nablus Sunrise
water” that is both satisfying and eternal. / Reproduced with kind permission of Mary Camilleri
- Closing Prayer
In silence, choose one feature from the time together and pray from it. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct
you to something that God thinks is particularly important.
This may involve a feeling ? encouraging or discouraging. It may be a word or gesture that has
significance for you. Or it may be something that is emerging that seemed at the time rather
insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart ?
whether of intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude.
Some people may choose to share a word, or an insight, or a prayer: others may prefer to remain silent.
Together: In all we are and in all we do, let us give glory to the Father, Son and Spirit, as it was in the
beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
You may wish to offer one other a sign of peace as this time draws to a close.
South Australian Council of Churches: nurturing and nourishing the understanding, spiritual growth
and practice of ecumenism across the Churches of South Australia
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Week 5 of Lent/the Great Lent
- Gathering & Prayer
• Take a few moments to recall the previous session. What particularly touched you? What new
insight about the human struggle, or divine grace, did you receive? Share as you wish.
• Opening Prayer, giving thanks for the insights and asking that our hearts may remain open to
returning more fully to God.
- Sunday Gospels & Reflections
Roman Catholic
Theme: The Woman Caught in Adultery
Let the person without sin be the first to throw a stone.
Psalm 125 The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Gospel: John: 8:1-11
Reflection:
We should not dwell on what’s behind
us, rather we should look to what lies
ahead. There is no condemnation from
God for what we have done or failed to
do, only an exhortation to go our way,
the way of the cross, and turn towards
resurrection and new life. We are all
sinners and it is time to be formed in
the pattern of Jesus; death, so that we
may arrive at life. The story of the
woman caught in adultery shows us
how to celebrate forgiveness,
reconciliation and penance in the
community. Sin and forgiveness are
C. Highorn / ‘Woman Caught in Adultery’ / Public Domain
never just private or personal affairs.
Coptic Orthodox
Theme: The Paralytic Man
Gospel: John 5:1-18
Reflection:
Christ heals the sick soul who seems to be hopeless finding no one to help him. Jesus warns against
return to sin again (v14).
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? Was the Paralytic man without help?
? Why would Jesus ask the Paralytic Man if he wanted to be healed?
? What impact would Jesus’ healing have on this man’s life?
o Think of the positive aspects that would ensue.
o Think of the challenges that would ensue.
? Do you want to be made well?
Timothy Shmalz / ‘The homeless Jesus’ (sculpture) / © Timothy P. Shmalz 2012
Reflections on the Coptic Orthodox Gospel from a Protestant perspective
Do you want to be made well? (John 5:6b)
What a strange question to ask one who had been ill for thirty eight years, unable to move or care for
himself. Or is it?
We all know people who experience poor health, or perhaps even enjoy poor health. It provides a
topic of conversation. It provides a focus for life – poor me! It provides an excuse for languishing in a
dependency mode of life. It provides an excuse for abrogation of responsibility. Or is this unjustly
critical of people who do experience poor health?
Why then did Jesus ask this question of the man, “Do you want to be made well?
As a person unable to care for himself, this man could depend on others to meet his essential needs.
In fact, when Jesus challenged him with this question, he avoided answering and merely responded
in a way that emphasized his pitiful plight and his dependence on others. To be made well would
lead to a whole new life of work and responsibility for himself and his life. Was this the reason for
Jesus’ question?
Then Jesus intervened in a way that encouraged him, maybe commanded him to act and be healed.
Jesus had provided the means for healing, but that means required a response from the man. The
healing resulted from a combination of grace and cooperation, not grace and coercion.
This was not quite the end of the matter as in verse 14 we see Jesus again speaking with the man,
commanding him to sin no more, a continuation of his response to the grace provided.
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and practice of ecumenism across the Churches of South Australia
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How committed are we to being healed by Jesus and continuing in that new healthy state? Clearly
God is available and desirous of our healing. It is in his very grace filled nature, but we have a choice
about responding to his healing grace, initially and continually.
- Closing Prayer
In silence, choose one feature from the time together and pray from it. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct
you to something that God thinks is particularly important.
This may involve a feeling ? encouraging or discouraging. It may be a word or gesture that has
significance for you. Or it may be something that is emerging that seemed at the time rather
insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart ?
whether of intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude.
Some people may choose to share a word, or an insight, or a prayer: others may prefer to remain
silent.
Together: In all we are and in all we do, let us give glory to the Father, Son and Spirit, as it was in the
beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
You may wish to offer one other a sign of peace as this time draws to a close.
South Australian Council of Churches: nurturing and nourishing the understanding, spiritual growth
and practice of ecumenism across the Churches of South Australia
20
Week 6 of Lent/the Great Lent
- Gathering & Prayer
• Take a few moments to recall the previous session. What particularly touched you? What new
insight about the human struggle, or divine grace, did you receive? Share as you wish.
• Opening Prayer, giving thanks for the insights and asking that our hearts may remain open to
returning more fully to God.
- Sunday Gospels & Reflections
Roman Catholic: Passion Sunday
Theme: The Passion of Jesus
Psalm 21: My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Gospel: Luke 22:14 to 23:56
Reflection:
The Passion begins with the Passover meal, the Eucharist. The
context of the meal is suffering, loss and betrayal. Jesus prayers
for courage, acceptance and endurance, and he reminds those who
sleep – and that are still unaware of the struggle for good and evil
– to pray that they will not be subjected to the trial or succumb to
it.
Jesus is betrayed and evil and hatred rise against him, and he is
torture, insulted and tried before being crucified between two
thieves and his garments divided among the soldiers. In the midst
of his pain, Jesus chose to hand over his spirit this Father, to forgive
those who killed him, to offer paradise to a thief and to pray. He
refuses to die on their terms, just as he refused to live, to judge, to
preach and to love on their terms. God is especially found in places
of suffering, death, betrayal, injustice, mockery, loneliness and
‘Anastasis’ / Panel from a Roman sarcophagus / isolation.
ca. 350 CE.
Coptic Orthodox
Theme: The Man Born Blind
Gospel: John 9:1-41
Reflection:
This is an example of humans who were born blind spiritually unable to see the light of truth, that is
Christ Himself. They need Christ’s miraculous work of opening their eyes to see Him, and to know the
truth.
South Australian Council of Churches: nurturing and nourishing the understanding, spiritual growth
and practice of ecumenism across the Churches of South Australia
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? How did the blindness of the Man Born
Blind differ from the blindness of the
Pharisees?
? In what ways does this healing relate to
Jesus statement about being “the light of
the world”? (John 8:12, 9:5)
? Describe how your spiritual eyes have
been opened during this Lenten period.
‘Jesus Healing the Blind Man’ (detail) / Public Domain
Reflections on the Coptic Orthodox Gospel from a Protestant perspective
This one thing I know, this one thing I know,
God in great mercy pardoned me,
Snapped sin’s fetters and set me free
Once I was blind but now I see
This one thing I know. (Sydney Cox)
God’s first act recorded in scripture was the creation of light – and it was good. (Genesis 1:3-4) Can
you imagine being unable to see the beauty of God’s creation? Can you imagine the joy of having
that ability restored in your life?
Today, restoration of physical sight is an everyday occurrence, but even so, it still brings such joy to
those who have this gift of sight restored. In Jesus’ day, restoration of physical sight was a rarity, a
miraculous event that was never expected, and in this narrative, an event that was just not believed.
But there is a much more significant meaning in this narrative. It is the restoration of spiritual sight
to the blind. It is an illustration and reiteration of Jesus’ statement, “I am the light of the world.”
(John 8:12, 9:5)
Not only were this man’s physical eyes restored, but so too were his spiritual eyes. In John 9:35-38
we read of a further encounter between Jesus and the man. In this encounter we see the man
coming to the realisation that Jesus is the Son of Man, believing that Jesus is the Son of Man, and
worshipping the Son of Man.
Pray that at this time we too may have our spiritual eyes opened to see Jesus and to know the truth.
- Closing Prayer
In silence, choose one feature from the time together and pray from it. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct
you to something that God thinks is particularly important.
This may involve a feeling ? encouraging or discouraging. It may be a word or gesture that has
significance for you. Or it may be something that is emerging that seemed at the time rather
insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart ?
whether of intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude.
South Australian Council of Churches: nurturing and nourishing the understanding, spiritual growth
and practice of ecumenism across the Churches of South Australia
22
Some people may choose to share a word, or an insight, or a prayer: others may prefer to remain
silent.
Together: In all we are and in all we do, let us give glory to the Father, Son and Spirit, as it was in the
beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
You may wish to offer one other a sign of peace as this time draws to a close.
Isaac Fanous / ‘Crucifixion - Great and Holy Friday’
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