From the Pastor's Desk

I hope you’ve had a blessed week and are looking forward to the weekend. Whether your week was bad, good or between, I pray that you experience the peace, presence, and love of God. 

Regarding love, in the biblical Hebrew language, there is a very interesting word used to describe love. It’s a compound word, that when translated into English, it can be read through different lenses depending on the context – the word is Hesed. In the bible we see this word translated as faithfulness, loving-kindness, steadfast love, loyal love, kindness, and sometimes it denotes grace and mercy. Hesed is a call to action, to show loving kindness in a practical way. 

As we continue to grow and serve together as a community, I want to reflect on the importance of Hesed in our lives. Hesed is not just a feeling or an emotion; it is a choice to act with kindness and compassion towards others. It is a commitment to stand by those who are vulnerable and marginalised, even when it seems easier to walk away. As we seek to apply Hesed in our lives, I want to encourage you to think about how you can show kindness and compassion to those around you. Is there someone who is struggling or marginalised that you can stand by and offer support? Hesed is not just about grand acts of heroism, it is often about small, everyday acts of kindness and compassion. It is about being present for someone who needs us, listening to someone who needs to be heard, and showing empathy and understanding to someone who is struggling. 

In fact, one of the greatest stories of Hesed in the Bible, is the story of Ruth. The story of Ruth, a Moabite widow, is an example of experiencing and demonstrating Hesed (loving-kindness) in the Hebrew Bible. Ruth's mother-in-law, Naomi, returns to Bethlehem after her husband's death and encourages her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and remarry. However, Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi, saying, "Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay." She finds work in the fields to support Naomi and herself, and meets Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi's late husband, who shows her kindness and protection. Throughout the story, Ruth demonstrates Hesed towards Naomi, caring for her as she navigates widowhood, while Boaz's kindness towards Ruth is also a demonstration of Hesed.

Both Ruth and Boaz are shadows of the Hesed that would be manifested through the coming Messiah. This tells us that Hesed is not a human contract but a divine, Godly, and holy manner of doing life. 

As we seek to apply Hesed in our lives, I want to invite you to join me in praying for opportunities to show kindness and compassion towards those around us. May we be guided by God's love and compassion as we seek to serve others. Take a few moments each day this week to reflect on how you can show Hesed towards someone in your life. It might be a kind word, a helping hand, or simply a listening ear. 

May God bless you as you seek to apply Hesed in your own life. 

With love,  David Peñate