The Year of Mark

The Season of Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, 25 February. Holy Week begins on 5 April - Palm Sunday. Bishop Christopher has written a series of Reflections on the Lectionary for Lent. In the Introduction to these reflections he writes:

"Essentially, Lent is about Holiness. The essence of Holiness is the authentic development of our being the image and likeness of Christ, the perfect image of the Father. Forever patient and long suffering with us, the Lord gives us all a lifetime to develop into the person that we are called to be. The gift of grace in baptism is about this, and the moral demands of the Christian life form us into Christ's Holy People. Lent is about that Holiness.

"May I make three suggestions for this Lent:

"First, celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There the mercy of God is permanently available to us as we engage in the moral struggles of our Christian journey. We need to face ourselves honestly and to work out a strategy for bringing about those changes in life that honesty and truth require of us.

"Secondly, carry out a review of life so that we can address those relationships, be they family or other, where forgiveness and healing are needed. We may need to move ahead gently, but Lent is the opportunity when broken and sinful relationships can be dealt with. One step at a time should guide us.

"Thirdly, we need to live more simply as a way to peace. If we aspire to being builders of peace, we will need a reliable and regular commitment to prayer and to living in a way that is purposely moderate. All three of these are ways to holiness.

"May God bless you all."

You can read the full text of Bishop Christopher's Reflections for Lent by downloading the file below.