Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 14.02.2008 (Article Archived on 28.02.2008)

1st Sunday of Lent - Today is the first Sunday of Lent. It seems like Christmas just got over, and here we are, getting ready for Easter.

  Lent is a time for reflection, repentance, and preparing ourselves to start over, a fresh start thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus.

Last Sunday morning I went for a dive with a group of friends.  We jumped in at Wigan Pier and headed to the left to explore the reef.  A few weeks ago we lost a camera in that area, and although we’ve given it up for lost, I couldn’t help but keep my eyes open for it on this dive.  I’m sure by now it’s either half way to Brazil, decorating an eel’s den or there is a dolphin out there with a new job as photographer of his buddies’ antics!  However, I’m sure that I will always look for it when diving in that area.

Loss can come into our lives in many different ways.  We lose objects, which seems to cause us a distress that can be way out of proportion.  Of course, we pay money for our belongings, and hate to see a loss of our investment.  Sometimes we lose things of sentimental value, like photographs, childhood mementos and little gifts from people who mean a lot to us.  These losses are a little harder to take, but if you speak to anyone who has survived a disaster with their loved ones, they will let you know that those things are not more important than the safety of their families.

Unfortunately, everyone has suffered the loss of a loved one.  Sometimes these losses are due to the end of a relationship, the end of a romance, or a friendship that someone outgrows.  These are tough losses, but it’s sometimes better to accept it and move on with one’s life.  The loss of a loved one through death is the toughest loss of all.  But if we have faith, and believe that they are in a better place, and that we will one day be reunited with them, it is easier to bear.

We need this faith in our lives.  Without it, life is so much tougher than it needs to be.  Some of us lose our faith along the way, and as a result struggle to understand, and enjoy life.  Even with faith, we aren’t totally protected from our own actions.  We all make mistakes as we got through this life, we aren’t perfect, and we all need forgiveness for something at times. 
                Lent is the season to renew our faith.  With this renewal, we can find forgiveness and the strength to forgive ourselves.  There may be others in our lives we need to forgive and this is a good time to find it within ourselves to do this.  Forgiveness isn’t easy to find, or to give sometimes, but can be the greatest gift we ever bestow, on another or on ourselves.

So, during this Lenten season, let us take time to reflect, and contemplate on what we can do to renew our faith and gain the strength to forgive whoever in our lives we need to forgive, even if it is ourselves.  May God Bless all of us in this Holy season of Lent.

Note:  There will be no services at the Grotto until 2^nd March.  Father Norris will be arriving on 18^th March to celebrate Easter with us.  He will be staying to help celebrate the Day of Remembrance on 30^th March as well.  If anyone would like to speak with Father Norris while he is here, please let me know and I will arrange it for you.