Holy Seasons – Holy Time…

Look towards the final pages of the March issue of our Parish Magazine and you’ll see that we are carrying two short articles about Good Friday and Easter. I was interested to read how Sir Isaac Newton had tried to calculate the date of the first Easter – was he right? What we do know is that the date of Easter as we celebrate it now moves around. This year it’s quite early on 31st March – though only for western Christians; most Eastern Orthodox Churches won’t celebrate Easter until 5th May this year, which is almost as late as they can do so! It all depends on the moon and how it corresponds to the calendars which are in use today.

How many people notice these things? Well, schools are having to this year since it’s making the current teaching term very short! And most people will be looking forward to an extended Bank Holiday Weekend, regardless of their faith. Another season has been mentioned in the News over the last few days – Ramadan – not simply because it’s a season observed with great seriousness by millions of Muslims, but also because it begins on the date of the deadline which the Israeli government has given to Hamas for the release of hostages if there is to be any cessation or pause in the hostilities in Gaza. For a month from the evening of 10th March, faithful Muslims will fast and pray. It’s a time which will coincide with the second half of the Christian observance of Lent.

How will we all use that time? I’d just like to point out that the whole of the month of March should be special to us as Christian. If you feel you haven’t got started on Lent – here’s your opportunity to use it as we seek to come closer to God in Christ. Every day but one  during March is a day of Lent with the final week coinciding exactly with Holy Week; and the final day of the month will be Easter Day – the culmination of our Lenten journey as we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection to new life. So every day of the month can be put to good use – if only we have the will.

If anyone would be my disciple let him take up his / her Cross every day and follow me, says Jesus. It’s an invitation to an everyday faith – let’s take it seriously every day in this month of March. Let us find, at its end, the Risen Lord waiting for us.

Martin Jackson