Monday 18 March 2013

A Pause in Lent

 
We spent St Patrick's weekend in Wexford with the wonderful Steven. It made me wonder which of the Lenten fasts and feasts would apply on a societal level as well as a personal one. It's interesting that Gretchen's celebration of Forgiveness Sunday coincided with St Patrick's day this year.
 

Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light. 
 
 
It's certainly a whole different thing being in the South at such a time. There's none of the political demonry hanging about the colours and the images.

 
Fast from the shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.

 
We were all looking forward to the Parade yesterday afternoon. Jo decided they needed hats. We explained that, given the flags situation at home, we wouldn't be buying anything with flag colours as we couldn't really wear them back in the North (without placing ourselves firmly on one side of the fence we're trying in our small way to work down).


Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance.
 


What I loved about the Parade was that it was an unbridled celebration of all the ways in which community was working together in the town and beyond. All the clubs and sports folk and businesses and schools and charities were represented. It was a very long parade! Even with the rain pouring down the strawberries stood and jigged and clapped and waved, and then drove happily home to the Frozen North!
 

 
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

8 comments:

Pom Pom said...

You are half the size of PC. I love your boots!
I love your attitude and philosophy of community. It's perfect.

Floss said...

So encouraging! Thank you!

Angela said...

What a lovely time you had- and what a great post!

blessings on you all xx

Pam said...

Are you very small or is he very tall? (I speak as a 5'2" married to a 6'2" person but I think you two beat us!)

Kezzie said...

It sounds wonderful and a nice representation of the fasts and feasts!x

Floss said...

Hello again - thanks for your kind list! It's easier to do this for other people, I think - I hope you can do it for yourself, too! Here's my list of 10 things I like about you: You are committed to Jesus but have your feet on the ground; you don't let the world's opinions sway you but seek the truth kindly and gently; you can crochet; you tell the truth; you have great children and speak of them so fondly; I bet you have a great accent even though I've never heard it; you introduced me to 1000 Blessings; you introduced us all to the Rend Collective Experiment; you think deeply; you have a broad and interesting circle of friends. Well, I could go on!

M.K. said...

Lots of Irish fun and frivolity!! I love the beach scene. Yay for St. Patty's day!

The dB family said...

Fun! Love that very last sentence!

Blessings!
Deborah

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