Did you know, the word “March” comes from the Latin word “Martius”, which was named after Mars, the Roman god of war?

But I wonder, did you also know that Mars is the roman god of agriculture? Well (secretly) neither did I until I googled it!

However, when you think about it, this seems to make sense…It’s the time of year, through the changing seasons, when we get a heightened sense of the wonder of nature; and the need to tend and care for it.

After all, March is the first month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the leaves start to change colour and the animals start to prepare for winter.

However, for us in the Northern Hemisphere, the days start to get longer, and the weather starts to warm up, the flowers start to bloom, and the animals emerge from their winter hibernation. It’s a time of new beginnings, a time when the world seems to be waking up after it’s long winter sleep, bursting into glorious life.

As such, March is a month of transition.

But, times of transition, can also be unsettling. An in-between time, that brings with it uncertainty. Like the uncertainty that would have descended upon the disciples, as they walked together with Jesus towards Jerusalem, and back in to the hands of those who wanted to get rid of their teacher, and friend.

And in March this year, during Holy Week, we’ll also walk along with Jesus in the final days of His life, together with the disciples, along the road and into Jerusalem.

But through our faith, we know that this will not be the end of the story. But rather like spring time – He will move through the winter time of death – and into New Life on Easter Day, to reveal a Glorious Summer, in all of its wondrous beauty.

But, we should not be in too much of a hurry to get to Easter morning, but rather dwell in the uncomfortable uncertainty of the journey towards the Cross; as very often these times of transition, of movement, can offer the greatest opportunities for new growth and understanding.

So as we wait in this in-between time, may I commend to you the Lent Course (From Denial to Trust), which will offer an opportunity to travel with the Jesus and the disciple towards the Cross, and, perhaps, discover more about what this might have felt like, and feels like in today’s world for us. Or perhaps purchasing a Lent Study guide to lead you prayerfully through the season. Or one or more of our services during Holy Week, that are both reflective, and moving in equal part.

But whatever way we choose to approach Lent, and most especially Holy Week this year, may we do so with the love and care of God, who has the power to transform us and our lives, and through us, those we meet, who we journey alongside, together with Jesus and the disciples, each and every day.

All my Spring Time blessings