I was out walking. It was good exercise; it was bracing. Walking keeps you fit; the fresh air does you good. It is especially uplifting in spring. There is the promise of new life in the air and sunnier days.

I was thinking to myself “Lent” is an old word for “spring”, the lengthening of growth. Lent is a fresh start: it calls us to roll up our sleeves, to come closer to God and live better lives. At the end is the great feast of resurrection. What a positive message! So I was walking thinking positive thoughts. It was good.

Then I met a vagabond going the other way. He looked a mess and shuffled along. But there was something in his eyes that spoke of a struggle to fulfil a great purpose. This encounter got under my skin; it unsettled me.

I asked the Lord who is that. He told it is me. Have I been treating Lent too lightly?