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You can find the complete ENCOUNTERING GRACE resource for Lent 2026 here.
Reflections for Thursdays in Lent
Thursday 19th February
Thursday 26th February
Thursday 5th March
Thursday 12th March
Thursday 19th March
Thursday 26th March
Encountering Beginnings
Take five deep breaths and check-in with how you are feeling in body, mind and spirit. Take five more deep breaths and ask God to abide with you this Lent, and especially in this time today you have set aside for devotions.
In John 8, when discussing his Jewish heritage, Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.” Sit gently with this idea for a few moments. And then give thanks repeating quietly, “You are my Light in the World”.
On Thursdays, we linger with the story of Simeon from Luke 2.
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
- This is part of a wider story about Jesus in the Temple as a six-week-old baby. How much of that Candlemas visit do you recall?
- What was this occasion like for Mary?
- Simeon speaks of rising and falling, of opposition, and of truth being revealed. How much of the life of Jesus do you recognise in his words?
- This encounter happens at the very beginning of Jesus’ story. Where do you feel the story of who you are has its beginnings?
- What do you make of the presence of the blessing and sorrow in this story? Where have you had this experience in your own life?
- What beginnings are you encountering as the days of Lent progress?
You might like to say the Lord’s Prayer and use this collect:
God of Anna and Simeon, whose law makes known the gift of life, whose love exposes our hardness of heart: by your Spirit, may we receive your faithful word to Gentile and to Jew and know your reconciling presence offered for all the world; through Jesus Christ, the Light and the Glory of God. Amen
Close in stillness, recalling:
I am the light of the world
And then give thanks repeating quietly
“You are my Light in the World”.
