Photo was taken near Millstreet, Co.Cork (Irl)
The riverside tree in our photo has lots of catkins and is a lovely sign of spring approaching. There are a number of trees that produce catkins such as Alder, Hazel and Silver Birch. They are great for bees who collect pollen from them and bring it back to the young bees. This pollen is a vital source of fresh protein.
Thought on Friday – February – 08/02/2019
Thought For The Week
‘A great resurgence of interest in all aspects of our Celtic heritage is leading many individuals and groups to rediscover and draw inspiration from the lives of the early Irish saints. St Brigid, the patroness of Ireland, is emerging as one whose life has relevance and inspiration for us as we try to face the issues that confront our country and our world at this time.’ ~Rita Minehan
At last we had a touch of winter during last week. January had been so mild and many lawns got their first cut during the early part of the New Year. This was unheard of before and is another strong hint that climate change is taking a firmer hold. The feast of St Brigid which we celebrated last Friday traditionally marks the arrival of spring. One thing that is certain at this time of year is the very noticeable stretch in the evenings. It is good and a strong reminder that spring is on the way.
The feast of St Brigid is a day to reflect on all our present blessings and all the good around us. She had time for everyone including the poor but above all she inspired people to greater things. Using rushes she wove them all into a cross, to remind us that all the different strands of our lives are connected. They are connected not by chance but by the gentle presence of God in our lives.
The idea that everything in our universe and life is all connected is a common theme among spiritual writers today. But this wasn’t always the case. Spirituality and everyday life were often kept separate in years past. There was no connection between belief in God and what happened in your everyday life. As a result religion tended to be put up on a pedestal which was never a good thing. Brigid was years ahead of her time, in how she connected God with everything.
Her voice and message is still so relevant in our modern world. Brigid gathers our rushes of sorrows and gladness, of happiness and pain, tears and laughter, kindness and caring, of voluntary groups and organisations, of families, relations and friends, of schools and hospitals, of work, sport and recreation and all the little things we do with faith, hope and love. Brigid weaves them all with loving hands into something richer and more beautiful. For her God is always at the centre of everything. Like her we do our best to find balance in everything we do each day. We ask her many blessings on us today and during the coming week.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
