You’re reading this well into Lent – doing anything special?
Some might have given up chocolate, or biscuits, or some other kind of “Lenten discipline” – well done you! Lent is also a time of reflection: it’s good to reflect on ourselves as people. When we set aside time to actually consider our lives – without rushing around or working or thinking about money – we naturally notice our strengths and weaknesses. For almost everybody in the Western world, selfishness is a problem. Myself included, absolutely EVERYBODY included. I’m not saying we all go around being horrible to each other. It’s more what we don’t do. Passing the time of day in the street … helping carry a heavy bag … letting someone go ahead of you in a queue. Sadly we live in a world driven by material possessions and where money is becoming more important than people.
Lent is a great opportunity to start reforming ourselves and being more generous. If you’re the person receiving a kindness, it feels amazing. From my experience (truthfully – promise!) it feels even better when you’re giving instead of receiving. It’s in line with Mother Teresa’s wisdom: “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.”
Generosity is not a religious concept. Anybody can give and receive generosity, whatever their religion or gender or race or age. The very fact that we are human beings qualifies us to be generous. So maybe you might like to think about spending the rest of Lent generously.
Have a look at www.40acts.org.uk. Think about taking up their challenge. If not you, who? If not now, when? And never mind if there are only 30 days of Lent left – 30 days of being generous will feel … good.
Blessings, Janet
The Revd Janet Tebby, March 2015