The traditional sacrifices of Lent remind us of what really matters in our lives

PERHAPS, like me, you find it difficult to remember what day it is as we continue to navigate our way through these strange times. I have never been a strict follower of the church calendar but in the last year it has marked out where we are in our journey through the year. Therefore, if we ate pancakes last Tuesday (which I did) it means that we must now be in the season of Lent and travelling towards Easter.

Traditionally, of course, Lent has been a time for giving up something that will be good for our spiritual, physical and overall wellbeing. It could well be that many of us feel that in the last 12 months we have given up so much that the thought of more self-denial would be a step too far.

Weddings have been postponed, we have missed being with our families and holding our new grandchildren. Some of us have lost our jobs or seen our personal businesses decline and close. We have gone without the celebrations of birthdays and the getting together with friends.

Tragically many of us have not been able to spend time with those we love must during their final days and hours.

The traditional sacrifices of Lent anticipate the great celebration and joy of Easter. Going without reminds us about what really matters. Jesus called people to follow him promising that nobody who had given up much for his sake would miss out.

Likewise, the purpose of all that we have given up has contributed to a bigger purpose. A time will come when we will recover much of what was lost. Maybe we will find that some of the things in our lives that we thought essential have been replaced by other, more important values: friendship, care for our community, time and space to be rather than rushing from appointment to meeting and back to appointment.

Christians travel through Lent believing that the day of resurrection is coming. In the same way this long Lent of the pandemic will, one day, lead to a new day for us all.