Can you believe that Lent is almost upon us? This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday! It seems that we have only just moved beyond Christmas, and already we are being asked to prepare for Easter! Is it just me, or are we all living in a bit of a whirlwind, right now?

As you read of “Ash Wednesday”, I wonder what that means to you? The church has always known that we “ordinary people” need time and assistance, to be suitably prepared to celebrate the great Feasts of our faith ... and so we have Advent (with Advent candles), in which to prepare for Christmas; and we have the 40 days of Lent, in which to prepare for Easter. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of this Lenten period, traditionally marked by a service during which the congregation is invited to receive the sign of the Cross on their forehead, in ash (usually prepared by burning the palm crosses from Palm Sunday the previous year). This solemn service sets us up for a time of self-examination and repentance, in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death on Easter Sunday.

There will be an Ash Wednesday service at St Johns on 17 February, in association with our usual service at 17h30, and I encourage you to use the opportunity to help make the transition from Christmas to Easter. The service also provides a wonderful opportunity to think about what will be most helpful for you to be better prepared for Easter … some people find it useful to “give things up”, as a sign of their penitence and as a reminder of Jesus’ self-sacrificial love (foods, drinks, treats …); others find it more helpful to “take things on” (a more faithful reading of Scripture; a more regular time of daily prayer; a special study course ...).

What will help you meet Jesus - the baby whom we now understand is also Messiah - when the Risen Christ stands before us as Lord and Saviour this Year? Regardless of whether you attend the Ash Wednesday service or not, giving some time to that question this week will be a valuable investment in your life of faith.

Yours
Rod