We all need something to look forward
to, and after this long hard winter the hope that Easter, and the return of
Spring, offers is vital.
As I write the crocus are out, and the
snowdrops are still with us, almost a month later than usual, but soon, with
the increasing warmth of the sun everything will come in a rush and the
movement of sap from root to tip will break out in a riot of green, however old
or gnarled the trunk.
Celebrating the greening of our
countryside or the festival of Easter is easy.
We do it with flowers and hymns, with chocolate and eggs, with services
and family outings.
But it is the hard work of preparation,
the prayers and the Lenten fasts, winter ploughing, pruning and digging over,
the sending out of invitations or spring cleaning the house for the family
visits that sets the scene and makes it possible.
Recently my teenage daughter was
involved as a choir member in her first big performance – Carmina Burana. It was wonderful, a celebration of musical
skills and efforts – from young and old, those starting their musical life and
those with many years of skill to offer.
As I left the hall I realised that the work that had gone into making it
had produced a real sense of community amongst the performers. They were buzzing and now rightly proud of
their achievement - firmly connected across age and skill range in the joy of
what they had made between them.
It’s as much the preparation that goes into a celebration as the
event itself that leads to a meaning filled sense of community.
As we enjoy Easter, and Spring when it comes, let’s make sure that
we take the time to share the work of preparation for any celebration with all
ages in our community. Remember, it’s in
the “doing together” that we find meaning, as much as in the ultimate burst of
hallelujahs or outbreak of chocolate!
Mary Moffett
“We are not called by God to do
extraordinary things
but to do ordinary things with
extra-ordinary love.”
Jean Vanier
