'what good is it my brothers if someone says he has faith but does not have works.' James 2:14

Lent is upon us and with it the traditional season of abstinence and fasting. Christians from all denominations seek to outdo one another in giving up meat, sex, alcohol, praying five times a day and so forth. I just wonder if Pope Francis isn’t correct and that we’ve lost the true meaning of Lent in an orgy of self righteous gratification. This Easter I’ve given up wine but I’m troubled as to how much it is to do with God rather than me? Of course giving up drinking once in a while is good for my health and wallet but what’s it got to do with Lent or God? Does it really count as ‘good works’ that glorifies his name and reaches out to those less fortunate that me? Am I a sheep or a goat? Matthew 25 ‘ for I was hungry and I gave you food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink , I was a stranger and you welcomed me’.

When people ask me about Lent it seems that I always talk about myself ‘I’ve given up wine .....it’s good for my health ............I feel better because of it. It reminds me of Christs sacrifice 'I say glowing with pride. Francis was I think saying we can remind ourselves in a better way and points towards a path that is more about giving than denying. Helping strangers, comforting the sick and needy or simply reminding ourselves to do one good deed a day that this means more to God than any number of unopened bottles so that ‘your light shines before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.’