As we mark the beginning of Lent with our circuit Ash Wednesday service on 6 February at Hay Green, once again we look at what Lent ought to mean to us as Christians. We know that this special time of year is a pilgrimage when we follow the last few weeks of the earthly journey of Christ.
On Ash Wednesday we make use of the remains of last year’s palm crosses, which were handed to us as part of our Palm Sunday devotions. But as 21st century “convenience” people, very few churches actually burn their own palm crosses from the previous year in order to produce the ash for our Ash Wednesday services. We are much more inclined to buy the ash already ground commercially for our use.
It’s a bit like the modern inclination when, to save ourselves time and trouble, we occasionally buy ready-meals or takeaways instead of starting the preparation of our meals from scratch with fresh vegetables. I’m not suggesting that there is anything wrong with taking advantage of ready-prepared items but I think it is important that we don’t apply this desire to save ourselves time and trouble to some of the more spiritual things in life.
We all know there are people who are at worship on Palm Sunday and then, ignoring the drama of Holy Week, don’t turn up again until Easter Day. They make no attempt to pass through the arrest, trial and death on the cross but are happy to celebrate the resurrection. The whole of Lent can be treated like that; from the eating of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, then the giving up of something such as chocolates right up to Holy Week.
I hope most of us see the weeks of Lent as a time for something more than simply making the sacrifice of some trivial indulgence. Lent is not meant to be particularly about abstinence but of travelling with Christ on that last dramatic journey when he gave up much much more than we ever think of. Can we do anything less than take it seriously? May God bless us all as we set out on this annual journey, maybe this year taking a fresh look at what we are about as followers of Christ.
Doreen C. Hare