"No perfect people allowed"
Resources & Research
“During this Lenten season, what if we focus less on trying to perfect our abstinence, and more on living out an inclusive and holistic faith? Even as we repent of our excesses and indulgences, let us lean towards doing justice rather than going without,” says the Justice Unit’s Peter Branjerdporn, while offering some exciting new Lenten resources written by The Rev’d Deb Bird
I mentioned to my friends that I hadn’t quite decided what to give up for Lent. “There might be too many road accidents if I give up coffee, so I think it will have to be ice-cream,” I joked.
My friends laughed and then one of them asked me what Lent is all about. I answered that it is a time for preparing our hearts for Easter, and by giving up something it helps us to focus our attention on God, rather than on ourselves.
In a daily “Thy Kingdom Come” reflection organised by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2018, activist and author Shane Claibourne spoke about some church greeters he once encountered who wore t-shirts saying: “No perfect people allowed”.
The whole story of the Bible is about “imperfect people falling in love with a perfect God”, he said. Shane then reminds us that our faith communities should be places of welcome for people from all walks of life and backgrounds, because we are all imperfect people, invited by Jesus and forgiven by his grace.
During this Lenten season, what if we focus less on trying to perfect our abstinence, and more on living out an inclusive and holistic faith? Even as we repent of our excesses and indulgences, let us lean towards doing justice rather than going without.
This Lent, may we respond to Jesus’ words, “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’” (Matthew 9.13)
Editor’s note: Download the 2023 Doing Justice Lent Reflections, written by The Rev’d Deb Bird from The Parish of Maleny, Montville and Kenilworth and The Parish of Palmwoods, and designed by the Justice Unit’s, Peter Branjerdporn, for your smartphone now. The reflections are also available as shareable images and printable posters online.
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