Today we begin our journey with Jesus through the season of Lent. We have no need of passports, of a different wardrobe, or of a time machine to take us to Palestine as Jesus knew it - our journey is travelled in the present. We know not where it will take us, how long its duration or when it will end. All we are certain of is that Jesus has need of us, and we have responded.

During Lent, Christ’s three years of ministry are encapsulated into just forty weekdays and seven Sundays. After his baptism Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry. In like fashion we are invited to spend the forty days of Lent in preparation for our ministry as Christ’s disciples. We will match the steady pace of our walk with Jesus, as do spiritual pilgrims following the Stations of the Cross.

Using the daily lectionary readings as our guideposts, I believe we will discover the Gospel truths and challenges are as relevant today as when they were first committed to paper. The Good News of God’s incredible love has not changed but sometimes, by our very familiarity with many passages, it may have lost the thrill it originally presented. The magnetism that drew crowds to Jesus is still there, we just need to peel off the layers of dust deposited by past centuries to rediscover our Saviour.

As we pause each of these days of Lent to read, ponder and pray, I believe God will speak to our hearts. We will be aware of the presence of Jesus in our daily lives long after we have shouted, “Christ is risen indeed!”