Smile on Sundays

Why do we always remember the sorrowful or sinister side of life?

Shakespeare has Brutus saying "The evil which men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones".

The media is always filled with things which have gone wrong. No-one turns on to the daily news programmes on TV expecting to be lifted up on a wave of joy.

Jesus said to his disciples "don't have a sad face", yet the Church always seems so solemn.

Christians need to remember that Jesus came to save those who have gone wrong, to pronounce forgiveness and welcome them back, to provide opportunities for a fresh start.

Lent is a time to make an effort to put our own lives back on track, including our relationships with those with whom we disagree.

Many years ago the closing letter of a Lambeth conference said "the Church is not better than others, but serves a better master".

Lent, as a word, means little more than spring, and in the Church it is an opportunity to spring-clean our attitudes to those of different creed, culture, colour or lifestyle.

Make the world a happier place by being more caring, more forgiving and more welcoming.

A trouble shared is not a trouble halved.

It means that where there was one person troubled, there now is two.

Do you remember singing Let a smile be your umbrella on a rainy rainy day?

Lent may be a time to say sorry, but remember that God forgives us, not seven times but seventy times seven. That should put a smile on your face.

Take Lent in easy stages. Sundays are not part of Lent but are always days of joyful remembrance of the resurrection.

Smile on Sundays, they are never days of fasting.