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After a rather shaky start to Lent yesterday I’m going to continue my Lenten pilgrimage by going deeper. I am very encouraged by your company on this adventure.
3500 years ago, just before the first People of God prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses was preparing for death and shared a few key thoughts with the people.
All these years later, in Lent 2026, Moses’ words are as timely as ever:
I set before you life or death,
blessing or curse.
Choose life then
so that you and your descendants may live
in the love of the Lord your God,
obeying his voice,
clinging to him;
for in this your life consists
Deut 30
We might think that only the big life-decisions are the life and death choices. But in fact every moment, every little decision, dozens daily, are an opportunity to move with or against God.
As I re-read that last sentence I note that it sounds as though God is expecting us to deny our true selves and attach to a God who can seem foreign.
This is not the case.
By design we humans are crafted to reach fulfilment, happiness, authenticity and integrity not in disciplined successes but in encounter with Jesus who completes us and in whom our life consists.
God has created each of us with the desire that we will become our true, real, unique and authentic selves.
In this our life consists.
And every moment provides an opportunity choose this life.
Try it.
In every moment today, choose life.
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Upcoming Cafe Gatherings:
Send a name, date, place and time and I’ll share your invitation. Just initiate a gathering, send me the info, and turn up to meet with anyone else who wants to take an hour to chat about their experience of God.
Wednesday 25 February 2026 10.00am
Stumble Inn, 200 Mangorei Road, Merrilands, New Plymouth
Joan
Wednesday 25 February 2026 10:30am
Zenders Cafe and Venue 44 Hopkins Rd Newstead, Hamilton
Christina
Wonderfully insightful.
God IS by His triune nature a community of Father, Son and Holy Spirit; He designed, crafted and created us in His image and likeness (Gen 1:26) for communion with Him. It is only in relationship with Him that we find our authentic selves – fulfillment, happiness and integrity in our inner being (Ps 516). What a blessed invitation for every moment of every day to live in awareness of and union with Him, our Lord and Saviour.
Blessings
Wonderful reflection. I love the word ‘encounter’ when it comes to our relationship with God. Pope Francis uses it in his book ‘Hope’. And thinking that through all the seemingly insignificant decisions I make each day, choosing life will serve to enrich my personal encounter with God. Thank you Fr.
I will today and report back
Food for Faith Cafe at Zenders Cafe and Venue 44 Hopkins Rd Newstead, Hamilton Wednesday 25 Feb 2026 10:30am. All welcome. Contact Christina 0274991330 if more information is needed or just turn up.
“I love it that “at every moment we can choose life”. What a challenge that will enrich our lives.
Thank you and bless you for these reflections.