Looking Towards Lent

This year Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, falls on 22nd February. The Sundays before Ash Wednesday have latin names: Septuagesima, Sexagesima and Quinquagesima, meaning seven, six and five weeks before Passion Sunday which begins our solemn thoughts leading up to Good Friday.

Ash Wednesday itself is a day when we think seriously about our 'human condition'. Our bodies don't always work perfectly, and sometimes we need to change our eating, drinking, rest or exercise to be more healthy. In the same way, if we neglect our spiritual health our souls suffer, letting down ourselves, our neighbours and God. On Ash Wednesday the Church reminds us that mortal, physical, human life has a beginning and an end: "from dust you came and to dust you will return". If you forget that, it is easy to imagine that it does not matter what you think, say or do. But when you leave this earth, you leave nothing of real value here except other people's memories of you, and you can take nothing with you except your faith and trust in God.

Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, is a day to be 'shriven' – to confess your sins and ask God's forgiveness, in preparation for Lent. And Lent gives us a few short weeks to exercise our souls and give them the right nourishment so that they will gain the full benefit of reflecting on the 'Passion' – the suffering – of Jesus for our sakes. Then, when Easter comes, we will be able to rejoice with all our hearts as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus which has opened for us the way to eternity, new life in God's kingdom.