Dear Everyone,

Our Lenten journey is coming to an end. This week, all that remains of “Three Simple Rules” is a hymn adapted from John Wesley’s writings, “Stay in Love with God.” While I was looking for a recording of the hymn, I found a short introduction to “Three Simple Rules” Bishop Job, the author, which you can view here. The hymn is played at the end of the video.

This week, I intend to re-read the previous section on Prayer and try to structure my daily prayer around this guide. And I intend to take time to mediate on the hymn and other sacred music. I welcome your comments and reflections below, and your favourite sacred music.

On Sunday, I’ll be joining the All Things SR Podcast chatroom at 2PM (Eastern). Join me here.

I hope everyone celebrating has a Blessed Holy Week and a Happy Easter. I also want to wish a Chad Pesach Sameach to my Jewish friends as they celebrate Passover.

Peace be with you all,

SR

www.sylvainreynard.com

Dear Everyone,

Thank you for journeying with me on this Lenten readalong. As we approach Easter, I am struck by how much I have learned from this year’s reading of “Three Simple Rules.” I’m grateful once again to Pastor Ginny for recommending it.

In the last chapter, “Stay in Love with God,” I was surprised and pleased to see Bishop Job quoting Henri Nouwen, who is a favourite Catholic writer of mine. Even though Bishop Job isn’t Catholic, he values the wisdom of Catholic writers. Even though I’m not Wesleyan, I value Bishop Job’s wisdom and have enjoyed this year’s reading.

This week we will read the chapter entitled, “A Guide for Daily Prayer.” In this chapter Bishop Job writes, “Prayer is at the center of a transformed life.” This week, and as we approach Easter, let us reflect on our prayer life and let us devote time to prayer daily. There is much in the world that troubles us – war, tariffs, violence, poverty, and suffering. Now is the time to pray . . .

I welcome your reflections and your prayers this week and I hope that you continued to have a blessed Lent.

Peace be with you all and with your communities,

SR

www.sylvainreynard.com

Dear Everyone,

Each day that passes brings us closer to the celebration of Easter. I want to thank Pam and Leslie for inviting me to join the All Things SR Podcast chatroom on Sunday, April 13^th at 2PM Eastern for a chat about our Lenten readalong. Join me.

This past week, we read and reflected on the chapter entitled, “Do Good.” This week, we will be reading and reflecting on the chapter, “Stay in Love with God.” In this chapter, Bishop Job reflects on spiritual disciplines such as public worship, prayer, and reading Scripture. While it is a short chapter, there is much for us to think about and I look forward to your comments. When I reflect on public worship, I’m immediately drawn to the importance of music. Angela Little’s recording of the prayer of St Francis is a favourite, as is this choral performance of Psalm 130.

Lent continues to provide us with daily opportunities to develop and practice spiritual discipline.  I have been focusing on prayer, reflection, and silence, and am more conscious than ever of my shortcomings and my need for grace and redemption.  I am also keenly aware of my need to participate in community and in worship, and I am grateful to have opportunities for both. 

I look forward with much hope to Easter and I am grateful that you have joined me on this journey.

Peace be with you all,

SR

www.sylvainreynard.com

Dear Everyone,

Thank you to all who are joining me on this year’s Lenten Readalong. This week, we are reading the next chapter, “Do Good,” from “Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living.”

In last week’s chapter, Bishop Job challenged us to adopt the rule “Do No Harm.” I’m grateful for the comments you shared with me on that chapter, and I invite those who’d like to comment to do so on the previous post.

This week, we will be reflecting on the rule, “Do Good.” In the opening pages of this chapter, Bishop Job offers two quotations from the writings of John Wesley, and challenges readers by pointing out that doing good is a universal command, which means that doing good should be directed at everyone and not just those we like or prefer.

Our Lenten journey continues to provide us with opportunities for spiritual growth and greater awareness of our own virtues and vices. Every day brings us closer to the celebration of Easter, which is the culmination of faith, hope, and love. 

As we read this chapter and meditate on it, I welcome your comments and reflections below.

Thank you for joining me on this Lenten journey. Peace be with you all,

SR

www.sylvainreynard.com

Dear Everyone,

Thank you for joining me on this year’s Lenten Readalong. I’m enjoying the reading and am grateful for your comments and reflections. 

I approach Lent as an opportunity to develop spiritual discipline – to spend time daily in prayer, in the reading of Scripture, and in silent reflection. I think of Lent as a pilgrimage, where I endeavour to learn something new and important. It’s with this spirit that I approach our Lenten reading of “Three Simple Rules.”

This week, we will read the chapter, “Do No Harm.”  Many of you will recognize this principle as part of the practice of medicine, but the principle is also followed by many people in their interactions with other human beings, with animals, and with the environment. 

We may be tempted to think of “Do No Harm” as a rule other people should follow and quickly point fingers when they fail to do so. But as this week’s reading reminds us, the rule must be applied to ourselves first. How can we expect others to follow this rule, when we don’t?

Bishop Job also provides us with a very important reminder concerning this principle, “I must do no harm, even while I seek a common good.” Here, the Bishop challenges our tendency as human beings to do harm in the service of good.  But the principle remains, despite our excuses.  I must do no harm, even when trying to achieve a good common for me and my neighbours. I will be pondering this point in the coming days …

I welcome your reflections below. Thank you for joining me.

Peace be with you all,

SR.

www.sylvainreynard.com