This week, on Ash Wednesday, we set off together into the period of Lent – the forty days of reflection and preparation that lead up to the greatest Feast of the church’s year – the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday.
What is Lent for? It is, as we have said, a period of preparation, we need to make ourselves ready, to be in a fit state to greet the glorious news that Jesus has risen!
How do we make ourselves ready? What do we need to do? In the past we have talked about giving something up; however shouldn’t we also be thinking more about giving something, doing something extra? Perhaps making the effort to come to the Stations of the Cross or to attend an extra Mass.
The Stations of the Cross tell the story of a journey that started with Pilate washing his hands and finishes with the body of Jesus being laid in the tomb, but as we know this is not the end of the story.
I love the Stations; I remember as a lad gong to the church each week after school, hoping that I would be asked to carry the cross!
Let us use this time in Lent to take a look at ourselves, let us remember in the story those who were prepared to help Jesus as he struggled to carry his cross; Simon of Cyrene and Veronica; and ask ourselves whether if we saw someone in such a state whether we would be prepared to extend a hand of friendship. In our world today are we extending a hand or are we keeping our arms folded and just looking on?
God Bless
February, the second month of the year; the dark nights are getting shorter as more and more light begins to take over.
Light is so important to us. In the words of the hymn:- “Jesus bids us shine, with a clear blue light, like a little candle burning in the night. In this world of darkness, we must shine, you in your small corner, and I in mine.”
I know of many people who are afraid of the dark and who are so thankful for the security provided by the street lights when they have to go out in the evening. When I was Vicar of Watersheddings in Oldham, the ladies used to remind me that when you reach the second Sunday in February you can have your tea without having to put on the light! As each day passes the daylight gets longer and longer. There is a great hope of Spring just around the corner and with it much more light
Jesus said of himself “I am the Light of the World”. May this Light that he brings us help us to see a clear way forward.
The virus has meant that we have all been in a dark place and so we pray that that soon we shall be seeing the light at the end of tunnel. It is in times like these when we need to support each other in the struggle to keep each other [safe and offer a helping hand towards the Light
Candles mean so much as they provide light in so many ways. They show your age on the birthday cake, at a baptism the baby receives a lighted candle (usually held by the Godparents), candles are lit in church as we celebrate the Holy Mass, we light votive candles as we offer prayers.
May all our candles be a symbol of the hope that we feel as we move towards the glorious feast of the Resurrection at Easter.
God Bless
February, the second month of the year; the dark nights are getting shorter as more and more light begins to take over.
Light is so important to us. In the words of the hymn:-
“Jesus bids us shine, with a clear blue light,
Like a little candle burning in the night;
In this world of darkness, we must shine,
You in your small corner, and I in mine.”
I know of many people who are afraid of the dark and who are so thankful for the security provided by the street lights when they have to go out in the evening. When I was Vicar of Watersheddings in Oldham, the ladies used to remind me that when you reach the second Sunday in February you can have your tea without having to put on the light! As each day passes the daylight gets longer and longer. There is a great hope of Spring just around the corner and with it much more light
Jesus said of himself “I am the Light of the World”. May this Light that he brings us help us to see a clear way forward.
The virus has meant that we have all been in a dark place and so we pray that that soon we shall be seeing the light at the end of tunnel. It is in times like these when we need to support each other in the struggle to keep each other [safe and offer a helping hand towards the Light
Candles mean so much as they provide light in so many ways. They show your age on the birthday cake, at a baptism the baby receives a lighted candle (usually held by the Godparents), candles are lit in church as we celebrate the Holy Mass, we light votive candles as we offer prayers.
May all our candles be a symbol of the hope that we feel as we move towards the glorious feast of the Resurrection at Easter.
God Bless