Here in deepest Surrey, Ash Wednesday begins in murky, misty greyness. It seems peculiarly apt for the beginning of Lent with its associations of privation, discipline, funlessness and restriction.
But Lent is not just about these things for the sake of being miserable or holy. The ‘end’ of Lent is greater holiness and a greater engagement with the reality of God, the world, of life and oneself in relation to God. It is a hard time of self-examination, an escape from fantasy and a stripping away of the illusions that get in the way.
The Church of England is offering two innovative ways of engaging with this – not as a quick fix, but as an aid to using Lent properly and helpfully – especially for a generation brought up on a diet of self-fulfilment.
Love Life Live Lent (via Facebook or website) offers simple, but creative ways of living positively through Lent. You can also use Twitter. Apparently.
February 25, 2009 at 11:54 am
What a good, cheerful, encouraging poster for Lent offered by the C of E!
Things are looking up!
Anne.
March 1, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Great sermon this morning at St Andrew’s! Thank you for it
March 1, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Thanks, John, it was really good being there all day.
March 10, 2011 at 3:02 pm
I was searching for an image to put with my post on my facebook page this morning and saw your fantastic poster =) The interesting part is..here I am in Plant City, Florida and immigrated in 1977 as a child from Surrey, and my youngest son is Andrew..
I’m so glad to have come across your site and your message.
Thanks so much!