“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

- Matthew 7:7-12 (NRSV)

In this, the second week of the Lenten season, we are reminded by Christ’s words above of the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40): firstly, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind. Christ tells us that we only need to ask, to search, or to knock. There are no other hurdles to jump through and God has no consulting hours. Turn to God in prayer, even if you are not sure what to say. It is enough to turn. The second greatest commandment is to love our neighbour as we love ourselves. How do we do this?

By doing to others as we would have them do to us.
God of our salvation,
your bow in the clouds proclaims your covenant with every living creature:
grant us your Spirit,
renew us in our baptism,
and make us faithful stewards of your creation:
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

- Collect set for the first Sunday in Lent, ACSA Lectionary (2021)

REVD CLAUDIA COUSTAS
CHAPLAIN