Chris Turner, NZ  | Each week these reflection sheets will offer a scripture reference, a story from indigenous story-tellers from Australia and New Zealand and lastly, a prayer. We invite you to use the resource in any way that is helpful, perhaps by situating the reflection in the context of your own country or province. You may like to seek connections between the readings but primarily, it is hoped that the reflections are a simple means of listening and entering into prayer during this time of Lent.
Listen to the Word of God
“For you desire truth in my innermost being;
teach me wisdom in the depths of my heart.
O purify me and I shall be clean;
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.
Fill me with joy and gladness;
let the bones you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my guilt and blot out all my offences.
Create in me a clean heart,
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Cast me not from your presence,
take not your spirit from me.
Give me again the joy of your salvation,
with a willing heart uphold me.
Psalm 51:6-12
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness…”
Readings from first Sunday in Lent
Listen to the story-teller…
One day, the father of the trees was walking through the forest. He looked up at his children reaching for the sky and he noticed that they were starting to sicken because bugs on the forest floor were eating them. He asked his brother, Tanehokahoka, father of the birds of the air, for help.
“Something is eating the trees, said Tanehokahoka. I need one of you to go down and live on the floor of the forest so that they can be saved and your home can be protected. Who will go?”
All was quiet and not a bird spoke.
He turned to Tui. “Tui, will you come down from the forest roof?”
Tui looked up at the trees and saw the sun filtering through the leaves. Tui looked down at the forest floor and saw the cold dark earth and shuddered.
“It is too dark and I am afraid of the dark.”
Tanehokahoka turned to Pukeko. “Pukeko, will you come down from the forest roof?”
Pukeko looked up at the trees and saw the sun filtering through the leaves. Pukeko looked down at the forest floor and saw the cold damp earth and shuddered.
“It is too damp and I don't want to get my feet wet.”
Tanehokahoka turned to Pipiwhareroa. “Will you come down from the forest roof?”
Pipiwhareroa looked up at the trees and saw the sun filtering through the leaves. He looked around at his family.
“I am busy at the moment building my nest.”
All was quiet and not a bird spoke.
And great was the sadness in the heart of Tanehokahoka for he knew that if one of the birds did not come down from the forest roof, not only would the trees suffer but the birds would have no home.
Tanehokahoka turned to Kiwi. “Kiwi, will you come down from the forest roof?”
Kiwi looked up at the sun filtering through the leaves. He looked around and saw his family. Kiwi looked down at the cold damp earth.
Looking around once more, he turned and said, “I will.”
Great was the joy in Tanehokahoka's heart for this little bird was giving them hope.
But he felt he should warn Kiwi of what would happen.
”Kiwi, if you do this, you will have to grow thick strong legs so that you can rip apart the logs on the ground and you will lose your beautiful coloured feathers and wings so that you will never be able to return to the forest roof. You will never see the light of day again.
All was quiet and not a bird spoke.
“Kiwi, will you come down from the forest roof?”
Kiwi took one last look at the sun filtering through the leaves and said a silent goodbye. Kiwi looked at the other birds, their wings and their colours and said a silent goodbye.
At last he turned back and said, “I will.”
Tanehokahoka said to Kiwi, “Because of your sacrifice, you will be the best known and most beloved bird of all.”
Listen to our Hearts…
As Lent begins
let us follow Jesus
into the desert
and listen to the word
which speaks of sacrifice
made in love.
God our Creator,
In this season of Lent, help us to listen to our hearts so that we can say a fuller yes to all you call us to become.
We ask that through your grace we may be open to the change of heart that will lead us more fully into a world that is transformed by love.
Amen
Acknowledgement:
www.maori.org.nz for Kiwi story
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee
Province of Australia - New Zealand Lenten Reflection: Week One
Lenten Reflection: Week Two
Lenten Reflection: Week Three
Lenten Reflection: Week Four
Lenten Reflection: Week Five
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