Lent is a time for renewal, Metanoia, change of heart. We began the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday. An action which reminded us of being humble. Life is a journey towards God.

The end of Lent is the celebration of the Easter Vigil. The symbol of Light and Darkness needs to be experienced. In the light of the fire and the lighting of the Easter Candle help us understanding the scriptures proclaimed. Like the disciples walking to Emmaus, we can say: “Did not our hearts burn within us as he opened the scriptures to us?” This needs to begin in darkness as we are led to the light.

The scripture readings of the Sundays of Lent are leading us to meet Christ. They open to us our history of salvation.

First Sunday of Lent: We hear in the first reading how sin entered our world. The start of our journey of redemption.In the second reading, St Paul reminds us of Christ’s saving action.Jesus spends time in the desert fasting and praying. It reminds us of our need to enter the desert.

Second Sunday of Lent: The story of our journey to renewal begins with Abram, “Our Father in faith”. He is to leave the familiar to experience the unfamiliar. We need to do so spiritually. St Paul reminds us that what we are given is pure gift. In the Gospel, the disciples catch a glimpse of what is to come. Matthew shows us that Jesus is the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets. This encounter fills us with hope.

Third Sunday of Lent: As the people are on their journey to the promised land, they experience thirst. The Exodus event reveals the joys and challenges of their journey.Once again St Paul encourages us in our life of faith: “This hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” The Gospel gives us the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. It reveals the different stages of her faith in Jesus. This links with our first reading. Jesus is the one we encounter in order to have our thirst quenched.

Fourth Sunday of Lent: In the first reading Samuel anoints David as King. It is of God’s choosing. It reminds us that we are the anointed looking to be renewed this Lent.“You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord.” St Paul tells us we too move from darkness to light as we journey towards the Easter Vigil. Once again St John gives us another encounter between Jesus and this time it is with a man born blind. St John gives us the different stages of the man encountering Christ who gives him his sight. He comes closer to Christ; the religious are still spiritually blind.

Fifth Sunday of Lent: Ezekiel gives us this wonderful image of life returning to the bones in the graves. Life and hope are restored.This Good News is reflected in St Paul’s reading, reminding us of the power of the Holy Spirit. This is our story too.The theme of new life is given in the Gospel passage. Lazarus is brought back to life. Once again it is a faith story. Just as Lazarus needed to be set free from the burial clothes, we too need to be set free.

In blessed hope,