Lent lasts for 6 weeks, and and is a time of preparation rather like Advent. Some people mark this season by giving up something that they like in order to spend the time and money they would have used for that, for the good of others, and as a reminder of what is really important in life. This is also a good time to take something up that will help others rather than simply give up something for ourselves. It also symbolises that Jesus would give up His life for us. We try to spend more time at prayer too.
Purple is the colour for Lent, and during this time there are no flowers or decorations in church.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent and is the beginning of the Easter Cycle. The day is called Ash Wednesday because during the service those who want to can have a cross marked on their forehead with ash, as a reminder to be sorry for all the wrong things we do and of our intention to turn to God for help.
Mothering Sunday falls on the third Sunday of Lent, and traditionally was the day
when people visited the church in which they were baptised, their ‘mother church’.
Now it is a general celebration of our human mothers, and there is always a family-
Holy Week lasts from Palm Sunday until Easter day.
Palm Sunday remembers the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, but was hailed as a great leader by the crowds of people who put palm leaves on the ground under His feet. The ordinary people of the city recognised Him for who He was, but the religious leaders felt threatened by Him and planned to have Him killed. Sometimes we remember this with a procession recalling these events.
Maundy Thursday marks the Last Supper, when Jesus had a meal with His disciples for the last time before being executed. Before they ate, He washed the feet of the disciples. This was a task usually carried out by servants, and so it told us about Jesus’ humility. In church we hold a service of Holy Communion which brings to life the time when Jesus shared bread and wine with the disciples and instructed them to do this together as a way of remembering Him.
Good Friday is when we think of Jesus giving up His life for us, as He died on the cross. It seems odd that the day is called ‘Good’ but this is a corruption of the original name of ‘God’s Friday’, but it also speaks of the Good News that Jesus loved us so much He laid down His life for us and that He would bring an end to death.