Dear Friends
Welcome to the month of March when spring officially begins on 20th March at 10.46am (EDT) and Daylight Savings take place towards the end of month. Some commentators also say that this is the month of wild and shifting weather as Mother Nature tries to shed her winter coat.
With the start of spring, the Northern Hemisphere experiences longer days, rising temperatures, and the blooming of plants and flowers. Animals emerge from hibernation, and the increased sunlight encourages outdoor activity and growth in nature. The equinox also marks a cultural and historical milestone, celebrated in various traditions worldwide
For many in the Christian community, March is the season of Lent – a time of reflection, fasting penance and preparation. Lent is the period of 40 days before Easter which began on Ash Wednesday, 18th February. There, we marked our foreheads in ash from burnt palm crosses and olive oil to recognise that we came from dust and to dust we shall return. By observing 40 days of Lent, we copy Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days when He was tempted.
Lent is marked by fasting from food and festivities. Some people mark Lent by withdrawing from things like Facebook, some from chocolate and others from alcohol, just like the American Catholic Bar Owner who had Budweiser Light bottled Beer (low alcohol) in the shopping window. When asked why, he said that he only sells them in Lent!
With Lent being a season of reflection, fasting penance and preparation, why the solemn faces? We’re solemn to reflect Jesus’ deprivation in the wilderness and test of self-discipline. Some of us are solemn for other personal and private reasons. We are solemn out of personal bereavement, grief, shame, illnesses, hurt, anxiety, financial problems, global peace and so on. Making the transition from a healthy outlook to the deprivation of Jesus during Lent may be frictionless for some. But the transition from a solemn place to the present is not without friction for others for the reasons shared earlier.
Our solemn faces sadly hide behind the masks we wear. Unseen faces mask our grief, pain and tears. But the Lord sees everything. Someone once said, “A smile is the lighting system of the face, the cooling system of the head and the heating system of the heart”. The challenge is how to maintain a smile against the background of the above reasons, all behind a mask.
We’re invited in the second Book of Corinthians (1st chapter) to note that comfort starts from within us, our heart. “Jesus Christ comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we’re able to share the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for our comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.” Being comforted does not mean that our problems immediately disappear. We’re able to bear them a little while longer because of the deep ‘comfort’ wells in us. They enable us to sympathetically, but repeatedly, respond to the needs of others even when we have our personal challenges.
The bible reading from the sixth chapter of Hebrews cites: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure”. Our hope is secure, immovable, anchored in God, just as a ship’s anchor holds firmly to the seabed. To the true seeker who comes to God in belief is received an unconditional promise of acceptance. When we ask in openness, honesty, and sincerity to save us, He will do it. This truth should yield encouragement, assurance and confidence in us during these desperate times.
We are encouraged in the end to draw on the non-judgmental words of Jesus and focus on His way of living, praying and example, as we’re called to do. Also, to maintain support of the vulnerable and needy in our community, the hallmark of our Christian faith. I offer a prayer below for reflection during this month.
Our Lent Bible Studies have begun and are held in the Parish Centre on mid-week Wednesdays (10am and 8pm) until 25th March around the theme of the Eucharist (otherwise known as the Lord’s Supper). I hope you can join our studies over the next four Wednesdays at either times as we count down to Holy Week next month and Easter. Please get in touch. Study sessions are listed on the website. I look forward to seeing you.
Stay blessed with love
Reverend Rickey Simpson-Gray
Parish of Wokingham St Sebastian’s
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A Prayer for March
Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen