In the Christian calendar, we are now a couple of weeks into Lent.
Traditionally, this has been a time of sober self-examination and abstinence.
But perhaps we don’t need a liturgical calendar to encourage this in 2023.
After all, abstinence has become a way of life for many people this year, given the cost of living crisis.
And there’s enough sobering news in our world to drive us to solemn reflection.
So how might we make good use of this traditional time of preparation, which leads us to the joys of spring and the joyful Christian celebration of Easter?
In Reading Today last week, Cllr Brock drew our attention to the ‘climate stripes’ which feature on the sleeves of Reading FC’s kit.
He reminded us that we all have a part to play in reducing the carbon footprint of our town.
Maybe Lent, at its best, isn’t about modifying our lifestyle for a few weeks.
Perhaps it’s a good opportunity for each of us to ask ourselves how our way of life needs to change now and into the future, if we are to limit climate change and safeguard the precious resources of God’s good earth.
The Revd Ann Cogle, curate at Reading Minster, writing on behalf of Churches Together in the Centre of Reading
