I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.  1 John 5:13 (ESV)

Since I started this blog exactly 11 months ago, I have begun to read the Bible.  Recall that I have been coming out of a postmodern worldview which suggested that the Bible was a mere guideline, an advisory.  Yes, it is the Word, but that was all a long time ago.

Thanks to good commentary and exegesis from orthodox scholarship on the Bible as well as fine posts on various verses from blogs (see Blogroll), every day has a ‘wow’ factor to it.  I can’t put it straighter than that.  Therefore, if you haven’t dipped into God’s Holy Word for some time, I commend it to you beginning today, Ash Wednesday.

Now I wish I had started sooner.  Then again, better late than never.  What can I say to those who think that we don’t need to heed the lessons the Bible gives us?  It is our guidance for life, not only here today but as preparation for the life to come, which, most assuredly, will come to each of us one day.  Those who say it’s outmoded still always have their favourite verses. They only object to the verses that don’t fit in with today’s world. Those who truly believe what it says have fewer doubts and are able to cope with the downturns that life inevitably brings.  They can recall specific verses which set their expectations, if you will, and point them in the right direction whilst giving them comfort and increasing their faith. 

And a word about fasting, too.  When you’re at home, why not watch your food and drink intake this Lent?  Try not to buy your favourite snacks, or at least begin rationing yourself.  Meditate on Christ in the desert.  Obviously, if you’re working and, especially if you’re driving, you won’t be able to do this.  Yet, try at home to idolise food just a bit less.  Let’s walk in Christ’s footsteps a bit more fully. 

They used to tell us in Catholic school that we didn’t need to worry about fasting too much, that it was more important to be a good person and perhaps do a bit extra during Lent.  I agree with that, too, but as I get older, the fasting part — cutting back, at least — does have its merits today just as it did in the Early Church.  And that truly is something that comes to us from the Early Church in imitating Christ’s example.

In closing, what follows are excerpts from one of my favourite Lenten hymns, Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days, which you might recognise.  It encapsulates the notion of Lent.  You can read the lyrics in full here.   

Lord, who throughout these forty days
for us didst fast and pray,
teach us with thee to mourn our sins,
and close by thee to stay…

As thou didst hunger bear and thirst,
so teach us, gracious Lord,
to die to self, and chiefly live
by thy most holy word…

Abide with us, that so, this life
of suffering over-past,
an Easter of unending joy
we may attain at last!