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Dear friends,
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For the last few weeks, we have been in the season of Lent. This is the period of 40 days (not including the Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Easter Day. I wonder if you have had a good Lent?
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That may seem like a strange question, but it is intended to make us think. Have you thought about Lent? Have you been observing Lent, by giving something up or doing something extra? Maybe this is not something you normally do. I know people who are very strict with themselves during Lent – some who give up chocolate and some who fast. They discipline themselves. Maybe we could say they deliberately deprive themselves. Yet others discipline themselves to do something extra – to spend more time in prayer or to give extra donations to charities. Those who observe Lent in these ways engage in spiritual disciplines to deepen their faith and their relationship with God. Lent is a season of spiritual preparation before Easter, a time for reflecting on Jesus’ life and sacrifice.
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The other day, I read the following suggestions, written by Pope Francis in 2017:
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Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.
How powerful are these thoughts. I wonder how many of us could accept this challenge, not just for Lent, but all the time.
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Jesus gave his life – for each one of us, and however we observe the period of Lent, it should always lead us to reflect on His ultimate sacrifice on Good Friday. And we know that His death was not the end for, three days later, the stone had been rolled away, and the tomb was empty. ‘He is not here. He has risen, just as he said’, the angels told the women (Matthew 28:6).
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Easter Sunday began with the dawn of a new day. It is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, signifying the fulfillment of God’s plan and offering us all the promise of eternal life.
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Easter Sunday is a day of celebration – a day of joy and hope. The resurrection of Jesus, to all who believe, is proof that He is the Son of God. Because of Jesus’ triumph over death, eternal life is granted to all who believe in him – and that is cause for celebration!
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He is risen.
He is risen indeed.
Alleluia!
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Jenny Gibbs
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