Loving My Neighbour: BRF Lent book

Description:

Lenten readings and reflections consider how to love in truth, love the vulnerable and the suffering, embrace difference, care for our world, love ourselves, and love to the very end.

Brief description: Inderjit Bhogal is the founder of the City of Sanctuary movement.

Review Quotes: 'A profoundly intelligent, challenging and ultimately hopeful book that roots the complexity of love in raw reality and our common humanity and demonstrates how God's love shines through and permeates our vulnerability as well as our capacity to forgive and to embrace the "other". This is a deeply moving read that takes us through the wilderness to the cross and beyond and at times left me breathless with wonder.'

Kate Nicholas, author of Sea Changed, Soul's Scribe and To the Ocean Floor

'How can we love wisely? These lively, attractive and perceptive reflections on key biblical texts by some of our most experienced spiritual guides give a range of good answers to that fundamental question. If you live Lent accompanied by these mentors you will find both inspiration and practical wisdom.'

David F. Ford OBE, Regius Professor of Divinity Emeritus, University of Cambridge

'Historically, Lent is one of the church's seasons of fasting. So, it's something of a paradox, albeit a pleasurable one, to experience such a rich feast contained within Loving My Neighbour: A Lenten journey. This is not to say that the book lacks significant challenge in the disciplines of Lent and the way in which we follow Jesus in the wilderness and through Holy Week towards the cross. The authors offer distinctive contributions, drawing on their particular backgrounds, as they lead us on this journey of Loving My Neighbour. As one author points out early on, "The word 'love' is a blunt instrument in the English language," but what we encounter in the pages that follow is an incisive treatment of this all too familiar, but vital aspect of our discipleship.'

Revd Canon Geoffrey Colmer, Baptist minister and former presidentof the Baptist Union

'Loving couldn't be simpler... and yet couldn't be more complicated or demanding. This book lays a rich table and simply invites you to come and eat together with each other and with our Lord. Love neither ducks the challenge nor delegates to experts. Love engages, serves, transforms and doesn't give up. As you hold this book, you hold an invitation to rest awhile and grow a lot. Enjoy.'

Mark Tanner, Bishop of Chester

'There is little doubt that the chapters in this book will provide readers with all the spiritual and emotional sustenance they need during the important season of Lent. I believe there is truly something for everyone in these seven chapters, especially for those who are experiencing the challenges often associated with the Lenten period, and in need of the blessings and break throughs of Easter Sunday. The writers, who are some of the keenest minds connected to the British churches, do not shy away from exploring the hard, uncomfortable questions that Christians often find themselves asking, but to which they invariably struggle to find answers. Equally, they directly address those issues we all face on life's journey, and provide readers with honest, grounded responses that are scripture based. Moreover, while the different chapters explore important, topical matters, they do so in ways that create a tangible synergy and coherence throughout the book. While we do not often associate Lent with enjoyment, readers will definitely gain a sense of joy, much food for thought and a real blessing from the chapters of Loving My Neighbour: A Lenten journey.'

Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion, Churches Togetherin Britain and Ireland