Observed by the church from the earliest times, Lent gives us a special space of time- Lent is devoted to fasting and penitence. However, as we fix our eyes upon the cross of Jesus and meditate on its significance, we make a mistake if we see only the pain of the cross. Looking beyond the pain, we see the promise to which it points. Invariably pain comes to all of us. Yet, the cross is the gateway that brings about the transformation of the pain. Through these reflections Christians prepare themselves spiritually and emotionally for Easter Sunday's triumphant celebration of Christ's resurrection.

Did you ever wonder how the date of Easter and therefore Ash Wednesday and Lent is set? (Here's some info to impress your friends with) In the West, Easter is the first Sunday after the full moon on or after March 21 (the spring equinox) ; but if this full moon falls on a Sunday, Easter is the Sunday following -hence, any time between March 22 and April 25, inclusive. The Eastern Orthodox follows an older calendar so they rarely celebrate Easter on the same Sunday. Vatican II encouraged a fixed date for Easter but only after agreement by all churches. Later the Vatican, in collaboration with the World Council of Churches, proposed as that date the Sunday after the second Saturday of April; but consensus has not yet been achieved.

What do you think? Would like to see Easter a fixed date or is there something compelling about having the date set by the rhythm of creation?