Lent: Believe The Good News of the Gospel

By TOM DENNEHY

On Ash Wednesday each year, we hear the words of the priest as he marks the sign of the cross with the ashes on our foreheads -repent and believe the Good News of the Gospel.

We live in a world dominated by bad news of wars, disasters, and all kinds of upheaval. Sadly today, good news is not worthy of broadcast to our people who need and hunger for the good news that the Gospel gives us.

The message of the good news is what is promised in God’s Word, specifically Christ’s birth, Christ’s death on the cross and Christ’s resurrection giving us the promised hope of salvation for all those who believe in Him.

Each year, we welcome the season of Lent as we welcome Spring and all that it brings. We enjoy a stretch in the evenings, the birds as they sing in full voice, and the daffodils beginning to bloom. We put the dark days of Winter behind us and we begin to reflect on our own lives and our relationship with God and one another.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, a period of 40 days, excluding Sundays. Throughout the Lenten season, we remember the events leading up to and including the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His life and teaching are the foundation of the Church that He founded. The 40 days of prayer are significant as Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert overcoming the temptations of The Devil by quoting Sacred Scripture: “It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God”. “ It is said, You should not put the Lord your God to the test”

“Get away Satan. It is written: the Lord your God, shall you worship and Him alone.” Matthew Chapter 4.4-11

The colour purple is predominant during Lent and has many meanings. It’s the colour of the robe Pontius Pilate put on Jesus before his crucifixion. Purple is also the colour of royalty and represents that Jesus is our King. Priests wear red vestments on Good Friday and Palm Sunday to signify the death of Jesus on the cross. White, the colour of joy, is worn on Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday.

As we begin our Lenten journey in preparation for Easter, let us set out a plan for how we can improve our relationship with the living Jesus. We can do this by setting aside time for him each day and invite him into our lives by setting up a sacred space in our homes where we can light a candle, read Scripture and invite Him to speak to our hearts. We need to do this in order to develop a personal relationship with Him. When we know Him personally we will find our fasting, alms giving and prayer much more meaningful as we will be doing it out of love for Jesus who loves us and who died on the cross for love of us.

So as we begin our Lenten journey, let us make every effort to prepare now to be ready to encounter the Risen Jesus on Easter Morning.

How can we prepare?

1. Fast from something that is preventing us from being the person God wants us to be. We embrace the old tradition of giving up something we like in order to bring some discipline into our lives.

2. Start an exercise routine that will help us to enjoy nature and the beautiful world God has created.

3. Spread the Love of God to all we encounter by being kind, compassionate and making time for others

4. Evangelize others by telling them about Jesus and what He has done for us by His death on the cross

5. Consider doing something positive. Visit a neighbour or phone someone who may be lonely or bereaved and show your care and concern.

6. Give to a charity that is caring for our world which is very much in need today.

7. Let us make every effort to spend more time in prayer and return to Holy Mass if we are able to do so. If we have been watching online we are not receiving the Holy Eucharist which is the Living Bread and food for our souls and gives us the power to become more compassionate and caring people. We will also avail of all the graces that are being poured out at every Holy Mass.

8. Avail of the Sacramental grace of Confession and be reconciled to a God who loves you unconditionally.