As we come to the end of our 40 days of Lent, I’m sure the majority of us are feeling a sigh of relief…..
Yet despite giving something up that we enjoy, we should not see Lent as a time of deprivation, but instead a joyous occasion - a time when we prepare for Easter and “await His coming in Glory!”
For me, Lent is normally a time when I give something up or do something extra for others…..but this year Lent has been about so much more. I’ve tried to use the Lenten period as a time to think and reflect.
Why do I choose to do this, to fast?
Lent is a time to grow closer to God, a time to develop our relationship with Him: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). It is an opportunity for us to share God’s love, his EVERLASTING love.
It is this eternal love which proves that God loves for who we are and not what we do, or what fail to do. He is with us always. It is God who guides us, He who protects us and it is He who gives us strength and courage.
What I have realised this year is that Lent is not a period of DENIAL, but instead a reminder of the things I have been blessed with: my family, my friends and of course God. By not having the things I like (with the odd slip up here and there) I’ve learnt to VALUE them more.
As we move towards Holy Week, let us try and set aside more time with God. Use the remainder of Lent as a time to reflect upon the sacrifices which God made, the sacrifice of giving up His only Son- his flesh and blood- so that each and everyone of us could be saved.
But why did he God do this, make such a huge sacrifice? Because He loves us!!!!
On earth today, each one of us is part of Christ's body - how amazing is that?!?
In the beautiful words of St Teresa of Avila:
“Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which He looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which He looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
Rebecca Wall, 21
Studying History at Manchester Metropolitan University
From the Archdiocese of Liverpool
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