There have been some beautiful photos of the northern lights in recent days. The following is a stunning photo taken by photographer Tom O’Hanlon. He took the photo of the northern lights over the church of St Carthage in Rahan, Co. Offaly.

(I have just posted a new video below as well)

On This Day 

On March 2nd 1956 The North African country of  Morocco, situated directly across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain, proclaimed independence from France

On March 2nd 1999 British singer Dusty Springfield died at the age of 59

On March 2nd 2021 Dolly Parton received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine which she gave $1 million to help develop

Birthday’s Today🎂

Chris Martin (Coldplay Singer) is 46

Daniel Craig (James Bond Actor) is 55

Jon Bon Jovi (Singer) is 61

Saint For Today

Saint Agnes and the month of March is also dedicated to Saint Joseph

Significance Of Today

Today is World Book Day. Our world and our lives would not be the same without books. Books have been educating and inspiring us for thousands of years, so it should go without saying that World Book Day is a special day.

Books are more than simple pieces of paper with words on them. They’re a door into another world, whether that’s one full of fiction and imagination or a factual world that teaches you incredible new things. World Book Day is all about celebrating the wonderful power of books and the joy of reading. It’s especially meant to help encourage a love of reading in children, but people of all ages can recognize and celebrate the day.

Interesting Quote for Today

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” ~Walt Disney

Did You Know😇

Did you know that there are about 130 million books published and the most sold book is the Bible! It is estimated that there are 5 billion printed copies of it around the world. Wow!

Video For Today 🎥

This latest video is called ‘The Spirituality of Lent and the 3 Legged Stool’

Thought For The Week

Lent comes providentially to awaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.”  ~Pope Francis

I’m from a farming background and I am always grateful for this, as it has helped to ground me and connect me to nature each day. Today farming has become very modern but in my parent’s time they would have memories of milking the cows by hand. In every dairy parlour there was a three-legged stool to sit down on and make the job easy. It was easy to move around, and it served its purpose well.

But a feature of a three-legged stool is that once you remove one leg it just falls over. It cannot stay upright. The three-legged stool can stand for many things, but it especially stands for looking after our mind, body and spirit.

We are much better now at looking after our mind and mental health. We are excellent at looking after our bodies, eating the right food and getting exercise in. And looking after our spirit is also so important but it is often neglected. If it’s not looked after it is like removing a leg from a three-legged stool. It just falls over.

Many of the problems in our world today are due to not looking after our spirit. Our modern world thinks a three-legged stool can stand on two legs. As we know it can’t. The journey of Lent is such a wise and beautiful journey. It gives us plenty of time to nourish and look after our spirit and our spirituality.

Yes, sometimes this journey is not easy. Jesus reminds us about carrying our cross. Life is not easy sometimes. But our spirituality gives us strength and resilience to cope. It also gives us peace, a sense of purpose and a sense of hope.

As you journey through Lent, know it is not a race. Take your time. Often it’s the small things done well that are best of all.        I hope your Lenten journey goes well for each of you. And know that you are doing the journey not on your own.
We are doing it together.

The Thought For The Week is updated each Monday