Lent reminds us of the transience of the world

The period for the Christian churches that we are now embarking on has always been one traditionally used for self-examination.

What do professing Christians think about nowadays when they consider the season of Lent? More importantly, what does the ordinary person in the street think of Lent? Perhaps someone might be heard saying: ‘It’s a time I should really be in church.’

The oft-quoted Lent custom has been one of giving something up. More often than not, we try to rid ourselves of a bad habit that may be harmful to our health. Nothing wrong with that.

What about fasting? And I don’t mean going on a diet. In days gone by, this really meant ‘sack cloth and ashes’. ‘Remember Man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shall return’ (Genesis 3.19).

The Ash Wednesday liturgy used in some churches are a sober reminder. One way or another, we are all confronted with our own frailty and limitations as human beings. Dreadful illnesses, new unknown viruses and the hindrances of sicknesses that dog us as we grow older.

Lent points us in Christian faith toward the looming cross of which Jesus Christ was so well aware. Lent also reminds us of the transience of the world around us and the nature of our own fleeting lives. To this, no earthly doctor has the cure.

It is important, therefore, that in our own spiritual journey through Lent, we are reminded of the life that is life indeed. The promise of Jesus Christ to all people remains. He is the only saviour standing at the horizon of history.

The Bible promises a new order of the affairs of the world in the sight of God. This promise has already been made for us. If we have faith in God and in his son Jesus Christ, the promise has been made.

Men and women may live together both today and tomorrow in the great joy of the new life that broke through into this world that first Easter morning.

This is the pilgrimage we share each year as we recall the life, death and resurrection of Christ. This we can share by reading the gospels of the New Testament, at times of worship and prayer together as we follow the Church’s calendar.

Faith for most is a ‘leap in the dark’ and, always demands sacrifice. And, yes, death to ourselves even. One day we are promised, however, it will be given us to understand.

A popular saying of old was ‘a God-fearing man’. We know from experience that, like the Scribes and Pharisees, anyone can attend church ‘religiously’. What Lent teaches us is that to be religious means a ‘turning’, a changing in our natures and our behaviour toward others that we might be better people and with divine help, available more worthy followers of Christ.

This really does mean being ‘Christ like’ and not just Christians in name and profession.

‘Go and sin no more’ (John 8.11) are the words of Jesus to the woman caught in adultery. More than anything else, this story teaches us how we should treat others. ‘Go and sin no more.’ What do these words mean for all of us this Lent – in our churches, in our jobs, in our dealings with one another and more specifically in ourselves? Rev Anthony M Jones, FRSA Parish minister: Fort Augustus and Glengarry