Another sunrise

makes orange-gold

shafts of light

shoot up and down

through the clouds.

This ordinary but evocative scene

has touched me

and reminds me of hope

and joy

just when I needed it,

lest I slumber through

more of this gift

of the present.

Time to stop

and contemplate

God at work

in my life

buoying and carrying me

providing me

with the gifts

of wife, family

loved ones

the beauty of creation

the scriptures

my ministry to young people

and the prayerful example

of Francis and Clare.

The view over the Spoleto

will always be with me

as I try to carry

the gifts of Assisi

into my life.

When I speak

of God’s hand in my life

this faith statement

cannot convince others.

Yet I must speak my truth.

Life’s joys swell

when they are shared.

Life’s challenges

can be overcome

through determination,

community and faith.

In hindsight

I discern God’s hand

in events

or working through others,

guiding and comforting me.

Through it all

there is still, small centre

that reminds me

of faith

and hope

and love.

Figures dancing

free

yet unified

in this ordinary

and radiant moment

filled with the grace

of love and community.

This serves as springboard

for an opportunity

to be grateful

for the gift of ourselves

our relationships

and be present

to the love

which is God

building, healing,

making whole and holy.

I am entranced

In a hotel
My needs cared for
Safe
Cosy
While I watch in horror
And disbelief
As my beloved country
Burns.

How can our faith speak warmly human words to the pain of those mourning the loss of loved ones? I have been wrestling with this as our tenets of faith have seemed distant from the painful reality I have witnessed. We believe that God is love (1 John 4:8) and that love never ends (1 Corinthians 13:8). For all their truth and power, these words still turn to ash when faced with the loss of a loved one.

It is said that ‘love is blind’. Yet maybe the pain of loss also temporarily clouds the ongoing nature of the love that was shared in life: the special moments, celebrations, travel, shared laughter and pain. Maybe the best thing one can do is to be present to the pain of others, to the absence they feel. No words, however well-intentioned, assuages such a shipwreck loss. Nor should they. In their time, memories of shared love may open eyes to glimpse the truth – by sharing life and love with their departed loved one, together they were one with God and that never ends, not even in death.

‘I can’t wait for Christmas’

No matter what we do with our days, having a break at year’s end is eagerly anticipated. For some this is highlighted by the various rituals associated with Christmas. This time with family can be seen as a salve – or is it the retail therapy? It can feel like ‘the world’ has so much negativity – political posturing on a local, state, national and international level with little concern for the future. Where is the hope? Can Christmas fix all that?

Simply, no. But it can remind us about what truly matters – self-sacrificing love. When such love is present, God is with us. As much as love is not the focus, we still have a ways to go. But we’ve been given the directions to guide us towards true happiness and wholeness. As much as individuals can live a life of self-sacrificing love, it takes a community to sustain such living. I pray that you may be as lucky as I am to live in a community where such love is incarnated. We must be content with catching and savouring glimpses of love’s salvation in this life.

Wishing you peace and all good at Christmas and throughout 2020.