Tower and Town, March 2019 (view the full edition)Clergy LetterLent begins on Ash Wednesday, 6th March. The Lent-Easter cycle each year urges us to a deeper exploration of the Easter mystery which is at the heart of the Christian faith. As a preparation for Easter, Lent has its origin in the public act of receiving ashes as a reminder to us of exercising our faithfulness to God's love and also to admit the reality of our struggle to keep the commandments of God's love for us. The tradition of ashes on Ash Wednesday shows a sincere attempt to re-turn to God in recognising our utter dependence on God. During Lent we can reflect upon the very basic truths of the Christian faith that draws His Son Jesus to suffer, to die and to rise again for us. And isn't life like that for all of us? Isn't it true that we all from time to time come head on with suffering, dying, with bereavement? How important it is that even more so in the special time of Lent that we should find ways of giving loving service and support to one another, as we each wait and search for Resurrection in our own and each other's lives in the name of Jesus Christ our Risen Lord. It is good for us to spend the 40 days of Lent seeking the chance to pray, to find a quiet place, to set some time aside, to be in the presence of God. Don't bother too much about what you are going to say to God: simply go into His presence and be still and listen to whatever He wants to put into your heart and mind. John Blacker |