A faith-led journey

Today is Ash Wednesday; the start of the Lenten season. For 40 days (and six Sundays) I will reflect on my faith and my relationship with Jesus Christ, my Saviour. And as I contemplate the essence of the penitential season meant for the preparation for Easter, I am invigorated by the thought of examining my faith.

As a Catholic, I will spend today fasting and will make my way to Mass where I will receive Communion as well as have ashes imposed on my forehead. (Which will inevitably mean explaining for the rest of the day that, yes, I am aware I have “dirt” on my face.)

Then, throughout Lent, I will abstain from meat on Fridays. This in itself isn’t difficult because I only have meat 1-2 days a week anyhow, so I think the true challenge is remembering that it’s Friday. Inevitably, I will forget. But I know that I will be forgiven by my Saviour. Though I suppose the “good side” of forgetting is that the moment I realise I’ve just eaten meat on a Friday, I begin a conversation with God. And it’s always good to have chats with God in my book!

I love Lent because it seems to make me so much more aware of my faith. And let’s face it, if it weren’t for my faith I would have been lost long ago.

I don’t suppose these are the right words, but I hope the sentiment is clear: I wish you all a happy Lenten season!