Sunday 9th March 2025 – Lent 1

I remember learning about the heart for ‘O’ Level biology. I spent hours reproducing the drawing from the text book.

Its four chambers, the valves stopping a backflow of blood, the aorta carrying oxygenated blood from the heart, the whichever artery carrying de-oxygenated blood to the heart.

The heart is a physical organ getting on with its job. But the heart has become something more.

It is the symbol of love; I Y you. It’s the centre of discussion; ‘right at the heart of the matter’. It’s where our beliefs lie; ‘if you believe with all your heart’.

Paul says: ‘… it is with your heart that you believe…’

This is beyond simply knowing the facts.

It even goes beyond just believing. I believe that there was a person named Julius Caesar. That fact doesn’t really make any difference to the way in which I live my life.

James wrote, ‘You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder’.

It is believing in. In my heart, with all my heart. That small word ‘in’ conveys words like trust, hope, refuge, strength. I believe in God the Father. He is my hope, my strength, my refuge, the One in whom I trust.

I believe in Jesus Christ. He is my hope, my strength, my refuge, the One in whom I trust.

I believe in the Holy Spirit. He is my hope, my strength, my refuge, the One in whom I trust.

What is in our heart, what is at the very core of our being, is shown in how we speak to one another, how we relate to one another, within the church family and with our neighbours in Bromyard and Stoke Lacy.

During this time of Lent, let us ask for forgiveness for just believing, and take up the joy, the challenge, of believing in God, who is our hope, our strength, our refuge, the One in whom we trust.

You ask me how I know He lives; He lives within my heart!

Rev Phil