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TWENTY EIGHT DAYS CLEAR

The Revd Michael Turner, Vicar of the Close (Thursday 23rd January 2003)

Article for reflection published in February’s Cathedral News, available in the Cathedral Shop or by subscription.

Writing words in the early days of January for a February publication is a precarious business. Who knows what state the world will be in by then ? Babies are allegedly being cloned every other week by a peculiar sect to provide a new alternative to eternal life - Ah brave new world that hath such people in it. Politicians are providing a new year message full of gloom and doom - a happy new year to you too! Who knows what will happen in twenty-eight days time in the volatile world of today ?

Well, Christians do ! February comes in with a statement of profound hope. Candlemas on February 2nd may signify the end of Christrmastide but it also welcomes the full recognition of who Jesus really is. There were of course other recognitions. The Holy Family, the shepherds, the wise men, even Herod, all understood at least partially what was happening. But here in the temple at Jerusalem, at that time the holiest place on earth, there is public acknowledgement of the Christ, the Son of God, long awaited, finally revealed. The Lord is certainly here, and his presence is with us.

Then halfway through February, as if the dawning of the light was not enough, we enjoy the day of love. St Valentine's Day mixes up our Christian Valentine martyrs with a day of love's celebration. That is not really so surprising. True love always includes an element of martyrdom, a self-giving, a selflessness, and that begins to turn us towards our journey through Lent, through some kind of minor martyrdom perhaps, to Calvary, and through the Cross to our resurrection. That is a journey in which the supremacy of Love, which God allows us so delightfully to enjoy, is made abundantly clear. The Lord is here too, every step of the way.

Perhaps it's not such a bad month after all. In February we learn again the fundamental joys of sure hope and self-giving love which cannot be diminished, no matter what happens. The Lord is here ! With February hope and love perhaps all we need now is more February faith.

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