“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heat, O God, you will not despise.”

Lent is rightly described as ‘the Christian season of fasting and penitence.’

How many Christians fast? How many Christians even know what penitence is? How many even observe Lent with any seriousness? In a Muslim culture, which sets much store by its observance of Ramadan, the Christian observance of Lent should be approached with the utmost seriousness and significance. 

Lent was originally the period when candidates (adults and young people) were prepared for baptism/confirmation on Easter Eve. It was an opportunity for all Christians to remake their baptism vows therefore to reviewing in their own hearts the implications of being a Christian.

Lent has become the season when we review our personal commitment as Christians.

Fasting and penitence can be an abstinence from food or certain food or from other indulgences of life which we identify as not conducive to our mental, physical or spiritual good. Fasting  or abstinence on some days, or parts of days, can act as a calling to mind in a very real and physical way that to be a Christian we need to DO things and take responsibility for our whole being. ‘A lot of people say they do what comes naturally when it comes to their daily living, but what comes naturally produces weeds and briars. If we want to have a full and productive life we have to put some planning and effort into it.’ (from “Knowing & Growing” our Lent course book by David Adam) *

We need to have a real orientation towards God which should colour the way we relate to each other particularly those we find it difficult to call our brothers and sisters in Christ.

It may recall us to the need to take more seriously our understanding and commitment to God himself and to know ourselves better as we stand in his sight..

It may perhaps most importantly recall some aspect of our lives that need correction, improvement, growth or maturity.

Lent reminds us that the initiative lies with us. We must make the effort because the problem, the obstacle to a full Christian relationship with others, ourselves and with God lies in us.

Too often Lent is seen as something for the pious few. That is used as an excuse for our inactivity because ‘the pious few’ do not exist. It is a challenge to us all to take our Christian faith and life seriously otherwise we may not be worthy of the name ‘Christian’ at all. 

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday with a Quiet time at Awali from 10 a. m. to 3 p.m. ending with a Eucharist at 2.15 p.m. plus a Eucharist and the imposition of ashes at 6.30 p.m. in the Cathedral.

*A Lent course will take place on each Thursday in Lent from 12 noon – 2 pm. which will include a time of worship; a light lunch; a time of study following the Lent course  “Knowing & Growing” by David Adam.

A confirmation course for young people will take place each Wednesday at 6 pm. in the Coffee Room

Lent books will be available to borrow from the Cathedral.

The normal pattern of daily worship in the Cathedral will continue so there is ample opportunity to Do something extra for your spiritual growth which may require giving up something else which after all may be a personal indulgence.

A good Lent leads to a Happy Easter.

Alan Hayday