Thought For The Day – Wednesday 5th March 2025
Giving
We give our very best wishes to musicians participating in finals of TBSHS’ Musical Festival today and tonight.
We thank all who have participated, and the staff who have organised, this wonderful highlight of every year, especially the Music department and all adjudicators.
In our life, in our extra-curricular opportunities, and in our examinations, we can learn much from musicians who devote, and give, so much practice, and time, to their passion over so many years.
One sixth former last evening was preparing to practice their piece for this evening in the School Hall, the location of the concert. Outstanding preparation.
Giving and preparation is also a theme of an important time that begins for some religious believers today. Following Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day yesterday, today is Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the period of Lent which leads to remembering the Suffering, Sacrifice, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter.
“Shrove” is derived from the old English word “shriven”. This refers to confessing and repenting (turning away from) sins. Because traditionally Christians eat more simply or frugally in Lent, pancakes were made yesterday as a means to use up eggs, milk and sugar before the beginning of Lent.
The word Lent is derived from the Latin for fortieth and reflects the period of forty days and nights of reflection before Maundy Thursday, which remembers Jesus’ Last Supper, Good Friday, which remembers Jesus’ Crucifixion, and Easter Sunday, which remembers Jesus’ Resurrection.
On Ash Wednesday, today, some Christians receive ashes on their forehead, made from the burning of Palm Crosses from the previous year, as a sign of their faith.
Ash Wednesday reminds Christians of mortality and their sincere and deep faith and hope in Life After Death shown by, and founded in, God through Jesus.
In Lent, Christians focus on praying to God, repentance (turning away) from sin, reconciliation (making peace with enemies) and giving time and money to charity. Some people may decide to give up something for Lent to remember God, Jesus and those in need.
This Lent, we at TBSHS will once again be collecting Easter Eggs for those in need courtesy of the inspirational Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank. If you wish to donate an Easter egg, and can afford to do so, please bring your Easter Egg to Room C05, where it will be kept safely and securely until donation.
We extend our very best wishes to Christians observing Lent.
We equally extend our very best wishes to Muslims observing Ramadan.
By coincidence, these major religious holy days are being kept at the same time this year.
And although each religion is very distinct, a very deep and devoted focus on God, and the most thoughtful giving to others, are common and inspirational actions, messages and themes.
