March, 2004
Spring
March is a welcome month after the cold of winter. It brings more sunshine. Even though some of the days will be chilly, there is a feeling of spring in the air. Bulbs begin to pop through the ground promising beautiful, colorful flowers, the grass gets greener and the birds return from the winter in a warmer climate. Their chirping and singing help us have a brighter outlook on life. March prepares the way for spring.
Spring is the time to house clean. This thought may take away some of the joy but it brings a feeling of newness, too, as we sweep away the dirt and dust of winter. What a feeling 0f accomplishment we have as we look through sparkling windows and greet the morning sun. As we think of all the newness and the cleanliness about, we are reminded of a line of a poem written many years ago: "God , keep a clean wind blowing through my heart." While we are diligently cleaning the outside, let us not forget the inside. Our heart can become dusty and dirty with bad thoughts and deeds, Only the cleansing by the Holy Spirit can keep it joyful and ready to appreciate the new spring.
Saint Patrick's Day
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Wales about AD 385 and died March 17, AD 461. At the age of 16, he was sold into slavery. During his captivity he became closer to God and become aware that his calling was to convert pagans to Christianity. Because Patrick was very successful at winning converts, he was arrested several times. One of the stories that has lived on about him is that once he preached a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland. One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock, It is believed that the shamrock's three leaves were used to explain the Trinity. He used it to demonstrate how the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737.
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