The Portal February 2019 | Page 6

THE
P RTAL
February 2019
Page 6
Balancing Act
Julia Beacroft
I t seems
incredible that not only are we now in the new year of 2019 but are already in the second
month of it! However, in common with most people, I have to admit that I find February somewhat dull,
cold and dreary with little to recommend it.
The celebration of the Presentation of the Lord
at the beginning of the month offers a glimmer of
light in these grey days, but after this we are left to
await the commencement of the wonderful season
of Lent.
Yet whilst consulting my diary for this month, I
was yet again struck by the fact that my late fathers’
birthday and the anniversary of my father-in-law’s
death share the same date; significantly, one a cause for
celebration and the other for remembrance and some
sadness. But even in this simple occurrence there is
evidence of perfect balance by the Almighty.
So often we hear of grandparents and great-
grandparents dying just as the younger generation
come into the world. Disappointments and missed
opportunities can be followed by new beginnings, life
changes and sustainable prospects.
go on to rejoice at the resurrection of Jesus Christ on
Easter Sunday.
‘There is a time for every event under heaven
- A time to give birth and a time to die; a time
to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear
down and a time to build up. A time to weep
and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a
time to dance. A time to throw stones and a
time to gather stones; a time to embrace and
a time to shun embracing. A time to search
and a time to give up as lost; a time to keep
and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart
and a time to sew together; a time to be silent
and a time to speak. A time to love and a time
to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.’
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
 And so at this rather gloomy time of year we can be
Trauma often precedes peace and contentment and, assured that we are enlightened by Jesus, the Light of
of course, love is the constant which holds the world the World, who holds us, our actions, our lives and all
in perfect balance. Even our notable church dates of creation in perfect balance.
demonstrate a melding of sadness and happiness
© 2018 Julia Beacroft - all rights reserved
which are held in synchronicity and equilibrium.
Julia Beacroft is an author, editor, workshop leader
and presenter in Catholic faith formation.
We celebrate the season of Christmas with great joy
Her book ‘Sanctifying the Spirit’ 
as our Lord and Saviour comes into the world, but only
is
available to buy from AMAZON,
a short matter of weeks after this we are already in the
www.waterstones.com
or Book Depository.
penitential season of Lent and preparing for Easter.
Please visit www.sanciobooks.com
And of course, during Easter itself we are plunged
for more information. Follow Julia on Facebook and Twitter
into gloom as we face the darkness of Good Friday but
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proper officer of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham shall be good and sufficient
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