COLOURS OF LOVE
- a Lenten journey
How to use the Daily Readings
Allow yourself 20 minutes. Find a place that is quiet and where you will
not be disturbed.
Before you read the passage, let go of the day’s concerns and be ready to
listen to God in prayer. Ask God to make himself known to you.
Read the passage several times, slowly and prayerfully. If possible, read
it aloud, to get the full sense of what the words are saying. Notice words
or images that strike you as you read, and dwell on them. The questions
are offered as a guide.
It is a good idea to write down your findings and responses in a journal.
An ordinary exercise book will do for this. These entries can be a good
point to return to later.
Let your reflections lead you into prayer. End your prayer by giving
thanks to God for what he has shown you.
If you are joining a Lent Group, you may like to share some of your
reflections and responses in the Group’s weekly session, and your journal
will be a great help here. Of course you only share what you wish to
share.
Praying with Colours
Colours are an important part of our experience this Lent. Take time to
dwell on the colour for each week.
Look at the patch in this leaflet. What does this colour mean to you? What
feelings are associated with it? What images, or scenes, or ideas, does it
bring to your mind?
Find other examples of this colour and put them where you usually pray or
read your Bible. Let them become part of your prayer.
Wednesday Eucharist and Meditation
On Wednesdays, at the mid-point of each week, the colour for the week will
be the theme for a meditative sermon at the Eucharist (10am, repeated at
6.30pm). Try to make a practice, this Lent, of sharing in this quiet
celebration. Let it become the centre of your week.
These sermons will be about Colours of Love. Through the Gospel readings
from Luke’s Gospel, they will also take us with Jesus on a journey of
discipleship, beginning with the call to Simon Peter.
Group Leader’s Guide
Gathering—light a candle in the centre of the gathering, enabling us to
sense the presence of the Spirit of Christ. A gathering prayer would be
appropriate.
Sharing—this section initially is a way of getting to know one another.
People then have an opportunity to share their experiences and insights.
At the first gathering share something of your spiritual journey to this
point. What brings you here? What do you hope for? At later gatherings
share experiences from your journal entries.
Read the Gospel passage from the Wednesday service and share your
thoughts, experiences and reflections on the Meditation.
Daily Bible readings—read one of the daily Bible readings and invite
participants to share from their journal entries. It is not necessary to
cover all set readings. Go with the flow of discussion.
Prayer—give an opportunity for people to pray. Those who are not used to
praying can write a prayer, or be encouraged to say simple, one-line
prayers. Encourage the use of silence by letting people know that silence
also is prayer.
ASH WEDNESDAY
VIOLET – RETURNING
God calls us to repent – turn our lives around – and draw close to him.
Wednesday Eucharist Reading: Luke 5: 1-11
The call of Simon Peter
Thursday
Revelation 3: 14-22 (the Christians in Laodicea)
Listen to the words of reproach in verses 15-19. For what might Jesus
reproach you? (Write it down.)
Spend some time dwelling on the promise in v. 20. What is Jesus inviting
you to do? (Write this down, too.) How do you feel about this?
Friday
Luke 19: 1-10 (Zacchaeus)
Read the story slowly several times, then put the Bible aside and let
yourself visualise the events. Notice the places and the people, and how
people respond to each other. Who are you, in this story?
Read the story again, noticing signs of energy and decisiveness (note them
down). What decision can you make today that will bring you closer to
Jesus?
Record your observations and reflections in your journal.
Saturday
Isaiah 58: 1-12 (God’s call to Israel)
In this passage we see that repenting is much more than feeling sorry.
What more does God ask of us? – and promise us?
LENT 1
INDIGO – REFLECTING
We get ready for our journey by seeking God in the depths of the heart
Wednesday Eucharist Reading: Luke 9: 28-36
Transfiguration
Monday
Psalm 139: 1-18 (‘You have searched me and known me’)
Read the psalm prayerfully several times, aloud if possible. Give thanks
for the loving closeness of God.
What does God know about you that no one else knows? Is this something to
turn away from and let go, or something to give thanks for? What response
will bring you closer to God today? Make your response in love.
Tuesday
1 Kings 3: 5-13 (Solomon’s prayer)
As you read, note what Solomon give thanks for, what he asks for, and what
he receives. Record your findings.
What kind of wisdom and discernment would you ask for, to help you live
more fully? – or what other gift would you ask for? Record this too.
Wednesday
Luke 1: 46-48, 2: 19, 33, 51 (Mary ponders)
In these verses, Mary ponders on the extraordinary things God is doing in
her life, and through her for others.
What events or questions do you find you keep returning to, in your life?
Why are these matters especially important for you?
In what ways have you experienced the presence of God in your life? Name
those experiences now (write them down), and ponder their meaning, giving
thanks to God.
Thursday
Genesis 41: 1-8, 14-16 (Joseph interprets dreams)
Do you believe God speaks to us in dreams? If you have had a particular
dream, ask God to reveal its meaning to you. Record your dreams over the
next few days. Do you notice any patterns? What do they say to you?
Friday
1 Kings 19: 3, 8-15 (Elijah encounters God)
Elijah runs away to the cave because he is afraid and angry with God. What
does he learn?
Are there things that cause you to feel angry with God? Can you name them
now? - Write them down. How does God respond?
How does God speak to you - in fire or earthquake or a ‘sound of sheer
silence’ (a ‘still small voice’), or how? How do you get yourself ready to
hear?
LENT 2
BLUE – FOLLOWING
When God calls us we make a choice and set our lives on a particular
course
Wednesday Eucharist Reading: Luke 10: 1-12
Jesus sends out the disciples
Monday
John 1: 31-42 (Jesus’ first disciples)
In this story we see the stages by which some of Jesus’ disciples first
came to know him. How have you come to know Jesus? What have you learned?
What questions do you want to ask him? Write down your thoughts.
If someone asks you ‘Who is Jesus?’, what can you say?
Tuesday
Psalm 121 (Where does my help come from?)
In what ways have you experienced God as your helper? What does this
experience and knowledge enable you to do?
Wednesday
Luke 9: 57-62 (Followers of Jesus)
We do not know how these three would-be disciples responded to Jesus’
challenge. What doubts and reservations do you carry with you as you try
to follow Jesus? What would help you to cast off those burdens and move
forward freely?
Thursday
Colossians 3: 12-17 (God’s Chosen ones)
Read carefully this description of the character of Christian living. What
two or three qualities (not necessarily all listed in this passage) do you
need to develop, in order to live a fuller Christian life? What decision
will begin to bring that about? Record your reflections.
Friday
Philippians 4: 4-9 (Rejoice in the Lord)
How easily do you ‘Rejoice in the Lord’? What factors hinder you?
Take Paul’s advice in v. 8: identify something true, something honourable,
something just etc that will help you focus on the goodness and the love
of God – and see whether ‘the God of peace will be with you’.
LENT 3
GREEN – GROWING
Like plants reaching for sunlight, we become more fully ourselves as we
grow and change
Wednesday Eucharist Reading: Luke 13: 6-9, 18-21
Fig trees, mustard seeds and yeast
Monday
Psalms 126-128 (Harvest celebrations)
Read these joyful psalms slowly and prayerfully. Note down images of
fruitfulness. What can you relate these to in your own life? Give thanks
for these things.
Tuesday
1 Samuel 3: 1-10, 19-21 (the boy Samuel)
What does this story tell us about ways in which children can know God?
How is the child here helped by the adult? How does the story show us what
kind of adult Samuel was to become?
Pray for a child, or a group of children, known to you, that they may grow
in the knowledge and love of God.
Wednesday
Mark 4: 1-9, 13-22 (the parable of the Sower)
Read first the parable (verses 1-9). In the story, there is a great
harvest, despite difficulties. How is this? What kind of fruit does God
want to produce in us?
Now read Jesus’ interpretation of the parable (verses 13-22). What factors
hinder God’s full harvest in people’s lives, in your experience? How can
you assist the growth of God’s harvest in the world?
Thursday
Psalm 92 (Growth and maturity)
Read the psalm slowly. Re-read especially verses 12-15. Can you think of
older people who are ‘still green and full of sap’ (v. 14)? Give thanks to
God for them.
What gifts have you been given that are enabling you to ‘flourish and
grow’ (v. 12)? What kind of tree is God making you into?
Friday
Ephesians 4: 7, 11-16 (Growing up into Christ)
What is ‘maturity in Christ’ according to this passage, and what is its
opposite? Write down your observations. How do you need to change to
achieve maturity? Pray for God to send you opportunities for growth, and
courage to respond to them.
LENT 4
YELLOW – DELIGHTING
What are we made for but to know God and enjoy him for ever?
Wednesday Eucharist Reading: Luke 14: 15-24 & 15: 3-7
Banquets and parties
Monday
2 Samuel 6: 1-5, 11-16 (David dances before the Ark)
Read the story of how King David brought the Ark of God (a box containing
the tablets of the Ten Commandments) into Jerusalem. What do we learn from
the use of music and dancing about David and his understanding of God? How
do you feel about the reaction of Michal (David’s wife) in v. 16? What
makes you want to leap and dance to God?
Tuesday
Matthew 9: 14-17 and 11: 16-18 (Eating and drinking)
What was Jesus’ attitude to eating and drinking? Why was he criticised by
some? Should Jesus have been more careful about his choice of company?
Who do you like to celebrate with? Who else could you include?
Wednesday
Psalm 147 (How good to sing praises)
Read the psalm slowly, aloud if possible, entering into its mood of
praise. What particular things does the psalmist praise God for?
What particular things should we at St Columba’s praise God for? Write
your own psalm of praise.
Thursday
Micah 4: 1-4 (God’s promise of peace)
What would be needed for this vision of a world at peace to come about?
Pray for a world in which ‘All shall sit under their own vines and under
their own fig tree, and none shall make them afraid’. What part can we
play in bringing this about?
Friday
Psalm 150 (Praise God with cymbals!)
Read this outburst of very loud praise. Read it aloud – shout it, if it
won’t frighten the cats! How does it make you feel? How should we be
praising God in our lives today?
LENT 5
ORANGE – DOING
What can we do together to let God reign in our lives?
Wednesday Eucharist Reading: Luke 19: 41-48
Jesus cleanses the Temple
Monday
Acts 2: 41-47 (Christian community)
Reflect in prayer on this description of the first Christian community, as
it came into being in Jerusalem after the outpouring of God’s Spirit at
Pentecost.
Write down what you observe about how these Christians related to God –
and how they related to each other.
What decisions did they make about how to organise their life together?
What can we at St Columba’s learn from them?
Tuesday
Psalm 72 (The wise and just king)
What are the signs that a community has been blessed with good and wise
leadership? What can we learn from this about what God might say about our
community (in Scarborough – or Perth – or Australia)? What kinds of prayer
and action does God ask of us?
Wednesday
Matthew 5: 21-26 (Anger and reconciliation)
What is the effect of anger – spoken or unspoken – in a community? Is
there a situation in which you (or someone you know) need to become
reconciled with someone? What action could you take? Will you?
Thursday
Matthew 25: 31-46 (The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats)
As you read the parable prayerfully, where do you find yourself in it?
What one thing does Jesus call you to do today? How will you set about it?
Friday
1 Samuel 17: 1-16, 32-51 (David and Goliath)
Enjoy this familiar story of the warrior defeated by the boy. Goliath has
so many advantages, so how does David unexpectedly defeat him? – what does
he have on his side? What hidden gifts has God given you that could make
life better for others?
HOLY WEEK
RED – LOVING
Everything we know about love, we have learned from God
Wednesday Eucharist Reading: Luke 22: 24-29
Serving is greatness
Monday
Philippians 2: 1-11 (Imitating Christ)
What do you learn about love, as we see it in Jesus (verses 6-11)? Give
thanks for what he has done.
What do you learn about how love should be expressed among Jesus’
followers (verses 1-5)? Form an intention or a prayer.
Choose a word or a phrase from the passage to ponder on during this week.
Tuesday
1st Letter of John 4: 7-12 (God’s love)
Read this short passage several times. What is love? How do we recognise a
community in which people have ‘love for one another’? How do we know God
loves us? Is there a difference between human love inspired by God and
other sorts of love?
Choose a word or a phrase from the passage which enables you to give
thanks to God.
Wednesday
Gospel of John 3:16 (Love in action)
I have printed this well-known verse in two translations. Which do you
find most helpful?
For God so loved the world
that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him
may not perish
but have eternal life.
(New Revised Standard Version)
This is how much God loved the world:
He gave his Son, his one and only Son.
And this is why:
so that no one need be destroyed.
By believing in him,
anyone can have a whole and lasting life.
(The Message)
Why do we need this great act of love?
What have you learned through this Lenten journey about the nature of the
‘whole and lasting life’ / ‘eternal life’ that Jesus offers us? Take time
to ponder your answer, and write it down.
How will you respond?
THE THREE GREAT DAYS
We have finished our journey through Lent and its Colours of Love. We now
enter together into the Three Great Days of the Christian year.
The Gospel readings for these days will be:
Maundy Thursday: John 13: 1-17, 31b-35
Jesus washes his disciples’ feet
Good Friday: John chapters 18 – 19
The Passion of Our Lord
Easter Eve: Matthew 27: 57-66
Jesus is buried
Easter Day Luke 24: 1-12
The Resurrection