From Revd Tom Benson

Dear friends,

March seems like a very busy month doesn’t it? The hedgerows are beginning to wake up and it is the first day of spring on the 20th. Isn’t it ironic that just as the sun begins to shine in a beautiful blue sky once again (ok, wishful thinking perhaps), not only does the world look a bit more cheerful, but we notice that our windows need cleaning. 

Of course in March we are also in the midst of Lent, a real opportunity to reflect and prepare ourselves for the coming joy of Easter Day. Is Lent something rather 'churchy' which only the 'in' crowd understand I wonder? Well, Christians use the six weeks before Easter to prepare themselves for all the solemnities of Holy Week and the great day itself, - the most important in the Christian calendar when we celebrate that Jesus rose again, and defeated death.

This is the time in the year when many people think about giving something up. Should it be chocolate? Should it be wine? Should it be cakes and biscuits between meals? All of these would probably do us good, helping us to lose those pounds that we gained at Christmas.

As well as giving things up, we can also think about taking something on. It is certainly worth stopping to remember how much good is done by those who do go out of their way to help others. Not being selfish and supporting others is certainly a good thing: taking on some extra task to help someone else might just be the thing, then.

Personal discipline that results in us being a bit fitter or being more helpful to others is no bad thing, but the purpose of Lent is also to remind us that we become our best selves, and become a greater blessing to others, when we put ourselves right with God.

Ultimately, the best things we can give up or take on, are those things that prevent us from being close to God. We are only mortal after all and can’t become our best selves if we are distant from God or indeed those people and communities in which we live. Whatever we decide, our Lord will be with us on the journey through Lent and we will be ready to celebrate his resurrection.

I hope that you all have a happy, thoughtful and prayerful March.

God Bless,

Tom