Message For Lent

Message from Bishop Pete

From The Darley Abbey Diocese

Giving up something for Lent?

Every year, I hear the same thing, time after time, 

‘I’m giving up Chocolate for Lent,’ 

‘I’m giving up fags for Lent’ etc etc, 

But, from time to time, I wonder why people don’t think about this ‘Giving up’ something for Lent, more seriously. 

During the Ash Wednesday Rite, when ashes are placed on our forehead, the Priest recites the following. 

‘Turn away from Sin and be Faithful to the Gospel.’

For me, this is one of the most important Solemnities of The Christian year, in some ways, a life changing event in The Churches Calendar, a time when we are given the opportunity to reflect and think about our Christian Walk, and seriously think about a change that will be beneficial to us as Christians for the remainder of our lives.

Most people with whom I come in contact with, moan about The Lent Season, but for me, it is a time of year I really love, its a time for personal reflection, self examination, a time of year when we should deepen our prayer life and bring a deeper understanding of ourselves, so that when we come to the joyful celebrations of The Easter Vigil Mass, we as Christians, are Risen with Christ, refreshed and cleansed from the Lent Season, enabling us to preach The Gospel in a more refreshed way to the people whom we serve.

Giving up something for Lent, is about changing a life issue, looking at our christian lifestyle, and using the Lent Season to change something that we really don’t like about ourselves, or what we do to others.

So this year my message is simple...use Lent to reflect on your Christian life, are there things that you want to change about yourself? Is it a time of change? Is it a time to look at our individual ministries?. Use this time as self examination, and don’t just change something for 40 days and 40 nights, but change something that will affect your life and the life of those whom you serve, in the years to come. 

Every Blessing

+Pete