大象传媒

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with the environmentalist and theologian Dr Ruth Valerio

Good morning.

The period of Lent is often a time of looking inwards: a season of fasting and reflection on our wrongdoing and a time to focus on a more simple life. But that confession is done communally too and Lent can also be a time to remember that we are communal beings and to consider the health of the relationships in our communities.

In Pakistan a new inter-faith practice is emerging in some communities during Lent and Ramadan where Muslims and Christians are sharing their breaking-the-fast meals (known as Iftars) together. One such meal was held last year on Palm Sunday in Punjab province. Around twenty people gathered including young people, Muslim clerics and church leaders. Similar meals were then held during Ramadan.

In my work for a Christian relief and development charity, I see how religion can be used to incite social division, discrimination, and even violence, resulting in poverty and suffering. We work around the world to promote freedom of religion and belief and reconcile divided communities.

That work is needed closer to home too and many of us will live in communities where we keep within our social and ethnic groupings. But Jesus showed us a different way. Through his miracles, his words and his acts of love and compassion, he reached out across the boundaries and broke down the barriers. It can be easier to live in fear of the other, but Jesus calls us to live instead for peace and reconciliation.

God of all, I repent of where I caricature and disregard those who are different to me. Give me an opportunity today to go beyond my borders and meet you in the face of another.

Amen