Lent

This morning I went to 6.30 Mass at St Andrews. I know I've probably mentioned it before, but it bears reapeating- I love Fr Gordon!! Seriously I've never seen a man (or priest) who wears his joy so visibly every single time i see him, even at 6.30 AM Mass on a rainy / freezing rainy morning! His homily this morning focused on the two aspects of lent, first "Remember O man that you are dust and to dust we shall return"... how its a reminder of our human frailty, our sinfulness, our nothingness. And secondly, "Repent and believe in the Gospel" how in our frailty, our sinfulness, our nothingness, God Himself calls us to repentance and calls us to life Eternal through His Son Jesus.

I remember when I was younger how much I hated lent and I still can't say I actually look forward to it (although I certainly don't dread it either). However, there is something so beautiful about this season of purification, a season to focus... to slow down for a minute and really reflect on our own sinfulness and utilimately on the greatness of God's love for us in "that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

As I went forward to receive the ashes, Fr Gordon was (as usual) smiling joyfully at each person- and it was such a concrete example for me of how Jesus must view lent- smiling joyfully at each of us, and His joyful anticipation of each of us taking time for Him, giving Him 5 extra minutes of our day, reading more Scripture, giving up sin, drawing nearer to Him to receive His love... wow!! This morning's Mass has really given me a new insight into this season- so let us rejoice in this season of grace! Let us truly turn from sin and believe in the Gospel, live the Gospel.

Today's second reading has that same joyful note:
Brothers and sisters: We are ambassadors for Christ,as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ,be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Working together, then,we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 5:20—6:2

Happy Lent!!