Reading a thread on a running website today it seems that Lent is simply a convenient date, like New Year's Day, when we have the opportunity to make a change in our lives that will hopefully do us some good - like giving up chocolate or alcohol. A number of people thought the whole experience would be a lot more manageable when I pointed out that Lent, in terms of duration, lasts 46 days - but the 6 Sundays in Lent don't count in terms of fasting - as Sunday is a Feast Day, when we celebrate the resurrection, rather than a Fast Day. So technically speaking if you give up chocolate for Lent, you can still eat chocolate on Sundays. If you've given up swearing for Lent then technically you are free to swear as much as you like on Sundays. Of course if that's the way you're thinking...
So, are you giving anything up for Lent? Or are you going to use Lent as an opportunity to prepare for Easter by taking something up?
Here are two ideas. The first is from the Bible Society (see video below) and involves listening to the whole of the New Testament read in 28 minutes a day throughout Lent. The second, Count Your Blessings, involves reflecting on how fortunate we are in terms of access to resources when compared to so many in our world, and praying and contributing to the work of Christian Aid.
