From Canon Ann Easter, Assistant Curate and Chaplain to the Queen

Yesterday was Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday, and so today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season that Christians call Lent, 40 days of preparation for Easter, the most important festival.

Traditionally, Lent is a rather sombre time, with no treats, no flowers in Church and lots of examining our consciences followed by the inevitable sense of failure and wretchedness. Sadly, most people I know, don’t need to be reminded of their sins, they’re all too aware of those, I like to look at Lent more positively.

The ash that we’ll use today is what’s left when we burn the Palm Crosses we waved last Easter, and as we make a little cross on people’s foreheads, we’ll say ‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return’.

Serious stuff, but we could try to think of the ash as representing all the things we make so much of. I love my books and shoes and CD’s – but they’re not what makes life worth living.

I know that the best things in life aren’t things; it’s love that really makes the difference, love in all its guises – like laughter and support and encouragement; tenderness, justice and mercy.

And if we make a point of noticing those this Lent, this world won’t seem so dusty