A neighbour was having some jet washing done on his drive at the beginning of the week.  It seemed a good opportunity to get ours done as well.

Over time moss and grime gather.  Every now and then I give it all a good brush, but it isn’t the same as when it’s had a really good deep clean.  As for the decking in the back garden, the wood comes up a treat when it’s done properly: colours reappear you’d never suspect were there.

Among other things, Lent is a time for a deep clean.  At the beginning of Mass we tend to rush past the Penitential Rite as a bit of a formality.  Not much thought goes into it as a rule – it’s just a brush down.  Individual confession requires more thoughtfulness and a willingness to be honest with myself, but I do find the absolution received goes deeper.

The last time I made my confession was last Advent.  It’s time to start thinking about it again.  We’re not out of restrictions yet, but our Easter duties can be performed any time up to Trinity Sunday.  We all hope life will have eased up somewhat before then.  Enough to allow socially-distanced confessions at any rate, as we had just before Christmas.

Personally, I always feel much better after making my confession – which I do three or four times a year.  Is the Sacrament of Reconciliation on your radar yet this Lent?  If not, why not?

MICHAEL KIRKHAM