From the VicarageLeap AheadLent begins early this year, on 6th February, almost as early as Ash Wednesday can occur. The six weeks of Lent are used by Christians to prepare their hearts to remember the solemn events of Holy Week and to rejoice at the glorious time of Easter. That is why many people choose to live more simply during Lent, so that we do not ignore the tragedy of selfish people rejecting Jesus Christ, or overlook the joy of our Saviour returning to be with us always.In folk-lore, Leap Year's Day is the one day in every four years when a woman is allowed to propose marriage to a man. Perhaps the Parish Office will soon be seeing queues of couples waiting to book their weddings ! The wedding service tells us, 'In marriage husband and wife belong to one another,' and they are united in love 'as Christ is united with his Church'. But Jesus did not wait for us to fall in love with him, God loved the world from the beginning, seeing that it was good, and Jesus came to claim his own people, to keep them safe and to be united with them forever.
When a couple are in love, they are seldom unlikely to be able to explain their feelings in scientific terms, but they may be able to express them in poetry. In the same way, the Bible and the traditions of the Church are full of beautiful, poetic descriptions of the mysteries of God and his loving relationship with humankind. Father, Son, Spirit, Bridegroom, Bride, Gardener, Vine, Branches, these are just a few ways for us to understand God's care for us. This Lent, perhaps you could think about what God means to you and write a poem about it, or compose a new hymn to an old tune.
With every blessing, Ann
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The above is the lead article from the parish magazine for February 2008.
Index of the previous magazine articles
If you wish to receive the full magazine it is available for a subscription of £3 per year from Mrs Mavis Bradley on 01322 338654 or email parishmag at sladegreen dot org