I have been intrigued by the Iona Community ever since I
first visited the small island of Iona, located off the west coast of Scotland,
in 1986. Iona is the place where, in the 6th Century, Columba came
from Ireland to launch his Christian mission in Scotland. Today, the dominant
structure on Iona is the Abbey, which was reconstructed, starting in the 1930’s,
on medieval foundations. During Lent, we are bringing prayer services used in
that Abbey to Central Church, each Thursday evening at 7:15 pm.
However, the Iona Community is so much more than the island.
It is a community of women and men, spread out around the world, joined by a
five part rule that unites the community. And I think that the five part rule
gives us practices that we could well use during Lent:
1) Daily prayer and Bible reading. For the
40 days of Lent, try to spend some time in your day reading from the Bible,
even just a verse or two, and spend some time, even just a short time,
reflecting on your life—what concerns you, what brings you joy.
2) Sharing and accounting for the use of our
resources, including money. During Lent, review your finances. What
percentage of your income are you giving to help others? The Bible talks about
giving away a “tithe” or 10%.
3) Planning and accounting for the use of our
time. Take a look at back at your calendar since the beginning of the year.
How have you been using your time, and how much deep satisfaction is that use
of time bringing to you?
4) Action for justice and peace in society and
the integrity of creation. Get in touch with those things that you hear in
the news that genuinely move you. What are you doing to be a part making things
better in the world?
5) Meeting with and accounting to each other.
Is there a group of people with whom you can talk about how you are doing with
the four points above? This is not therapy. This is about growing as a disciple
of Jesus, which is the whole point of Lent.
Pastor Don Steele
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