It’s soon going to be Lent, the forty days that lead up to Easter…..and a very challenging time. It is a time to cut through the outer wrapping of our faith, to get below the words which we say so easily and the things that we so often do without thinking.

“To be a Christian,” wrote Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “does not mean to be religious in a particular way but to be a (human being). It is not the religious act that makes the Christian, but participation in the sufferings of God in the secular life.”

We often give things up for Lent. But let’s try giving up something that cocoons us from the pain that others are feeling, which God suffers alongside them. Let’s reach through and be there for someone. And at least stand alongside them in the things that are hurting. 

To learn a bit more about Lent, have a look at the video. 'Lent in 3 Minutes', by Catholic media resource 'Busted Halo', here.