Dear Friends,
Those of us of a certain age remember, or is it just a figment of our imagination? when the seasons of the year were very distinct. Winter was winter; Spring was spring etc. These days the distinction is not as clearcut, and we can often experience all the seasons rolled into one.
The Church’s seasons however remain constant, although strangely they are dictated by the moon! It is only February, but we have seen the back of the Twelve Days of Christmas and the Season of Epiphany and on the 18th of February we mark the beginning of the season of Lent as we celebrate Ash Wednesday. The title Lent comes from the old English word meaning Spring, so there is a connection.
As Lent begins, we change our focus and direction. Prior to Ash Wednesday we have been looking back to Christmas reflecting on the importance of the birth of Jesus. But from now on we look forward to the events of Easter and how central they are to those of us who share a Christian faith.
Hidden in this Church calendar is another strange quirk. The significance of the number 40. In the old order of calendars. Lent began immediately after the presentation of Christ in the Temple which we celebrate on the 2nd of February. If you do the maths this is 40 days after Christmas; Then follow the 40 days of Lent. Once we reach Easter, we have yet another 40 days until the Ascension.
So, the seasons of the natural order, those of the Church, and the cycle of the moon, and the significance of the number 40 in the Bible, all conspire in a strange way to produce the pattern which we follow each and every year.
Within the Church, Lent is a time or reflection in preparation for Easter. For many inside and outside the Church it can be seen as a time when we give something up; be it chocolates, wine or whatever? We forego our pleasures as we head towards recalling the sufferings of Christ in Holy Week.
Perhaps, more importantly, rather than just giving up something, it may be appropriate to reflect on the issues of focus and direction. In our daily routine we look back, often fondly as we recall events in our lives. But in the whole scheme of things our looking back should inform and inspire our looking forward. Equally we are often forced to focus on what is really important rather than just on the things we like or want.
Within the worship at St Martin’s during Lent we shall be trying to focus on what we believe is important and have that sense of direction as we look towards the events of Easter.
As Lent/Spring approaches let’s all ask ourselves “where is our focus and in what direction are we heading”
John