March anticipates renewal, a welcome return to spring

"Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me."
— Samuel 7:16, Feast of St. Joseph, March 19 

"He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth."
— Hosea 6:3, March 17, Lenten Weekday 

A hint of warmth, a hint of growth,
a welcome return of spring;
formed in stone, an arch for March,
a month of madness, and of gladness.

Madness is in the fever for sport,
gladness is in the faithful heart;
gladness arises from green and sun,
from a soon-to-be Risen One. 

March is anticipated, awaited,
a need to qualify, a need to win,
even Christ knew anticipation,
He awaited possible defeat.

Many were those who doubted,
friends even denied knowing him;
Christ had strength to overcome,
it’s that strength we celebrate, gladly. 

Kansas stone built this monks' wall,
segments of color, mortared as one,
durable, perhaps everlasting,
holiness, wholeness, a possibility. 

Not the stone rolled to the door,
not a stone to seal us off,
but stone to give us confidence,
to endure, to arise, even daily. 

Editor's note: This reflection was originally published in the February 2012 issue of Celebration. Sign up to receive daily Lenten reflections.