"In so far as you share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad..."

Lent for me, as I'm sure it is for all of you, is a time for preparing for Easter. Whether we give up chocolate or cut down on the amount of TV we watch, the fasting we undertake has many benefits -

It encourages us to appreciate what we usually have so easily.It allows us to take a step back and gain perspective. It increases within us patience and virtue, which God so willing gives.It Helps us feel compassion and empathy towards the poor.

All of these things i'm sure you are aware of, but i want to come back to the true meaning of what lent is about....
.... We fast in Lent so that we can share in Christs sufferings, and share in the full joy that Easter morning brings.

With this in mind, i wanted to reflect with you this simple message of Easter, that  every Good Friday has an Easter Sunday. One thing the Church teaches us from these forty days is that in EVERYTHING the message of Easter is present. In all situations, of suffering and sorrow, joy and of sheer jubilation, there is always an element of Good Friday with all Easter Sundays. No matter how much of one there is, the other is there, and henceforth, so is God.

This can be so useful for our own Faith. In dealing with horrific disasters such as the devastating earthquake in Japan we can still see God acting there, in the compassion of relief workers, charity organisations and donations. Suffering is key to our existence, and it is how God revealed to us his true glory.

As we are in the midst of lent i wanted to encourage you to keep going with a scripture which i have always been pointed towards -

'My dear friends, do not be taken aback at the testing by fire which is taking place among you, as though something strange were happening to you; but in so far as you share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad, so that you may enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed'

Nick Miller
Age 21
Studying at University of Nottingham and member of Sion Community