Start small. Start here. But start now.
These are the words that Br. James Koester, Superior, The Society of Saint John the Evangelist has exhorted us for this Lenten season.
The Brothers will be providing daily videos and words of encouragement as we explore the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion:
To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
To teach, baptize, and nurture new believers
To respond to human need by loving service
To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and
pursue peace and reconciliation
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
I was relieved to hear Br. Koester admit to being overwhelmed by the scope of the Marks of Mission but also to remind us of Jesus’ proclamation that our faith is not a smorgasbord where we can order our religion with good liturgy, wonderful music, and beautiful vestments, but instead we must hold the service of others, the pursuit of justice, and the safeguarding of creation.
Br. Koester continues, “As children of God and followers of Jesus, we are each called to participate in God’s extraordinary and ongoing work of restoration and redemption in our own lives.”
In this very chaotic world, I’m spending the six weeks of Lent with the Brothers of SSJE and their Lenten series, to listen closely for God’s voice and then go out to do the work I am commanded to do. I want these 5 Marks of Mission to become my 5 Marks of Love, proving God’s love is at work in my life.
If you’d like to follow along too, you can subscribe to get the daily message from SSJE which starts next Sunday, February 26: SUBSCRIBE. You can also download a pdf of the workbook at the same location.
Here’s the message for Day 1: Marked as Christ’s Own Forever
Blessings for your Lenten season,
Agatha