There is something about the rainbow that gives a boost of hope in the midst of a day’s demands. The Bible account of Noah’s ark is well known – and this is where the rainbow comes in as a sign of covenant hope:

“And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” (Genesis 9)

I don’t feel as though I’ve made a very good start to Lent. I had decided what I was going to do for Lent, and before midday today I had slipped up. I suppose I was expecting a bit of a reprimand, and instead I got some rain (which I have been praying for on behalf of the farmers of the parish), and a rainbow.

God is like that.

Thanks be to God.