Repent and Believe the Good News

 

Last year in the Times newspaper there was an article in the Business section which contained a reflection not usually found in this setting. The writer had been musing on how the instability of the financial world affects peoples' lives to the point that the only thing that seems to matter is the state of the economy. He then joined his fellow commuters in the crowded New York subway and, idly gazing around, he gradually realised that there were people here and there with a black smudge on their foreheads. So, he thought, there are still those for whom there is another dimension to life. It was, of course, Ash Wednesday.

 

 

That smudge will gradually fade or be inadvertently rubbed off but another more powerful sign will remain. When we say 'Amen' to the words 'Repent and Believe the Good News' we are saying that we will be signs in our world of that Good News by showing that there is indeed another dimension to life, the dimension of the total, joyful, sacrificial love of God in Jesus Christ. Lent is a time to be more aware of our privilege and our responsibility of sharing that love with others.

 

Day by day, dear Lord,

For these three things I pray:

To see you more clearly,

Follow you more nearly,

Love you more dearly

Day by day.

 

(Prayer of St Richard)

 

 

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