‘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.

Waiting for my train

a young Muslim woman

walks past, book in hand.

I look again

and note that it is the Qu’ran

and we smile at each other.

Such a simple interaction

yet I am deeply

struck

at the connection of faith

that I receive the gift of tears

to signal

the profound truth at work.

God is one

and wants us

to be one

together.

There’s a particular hue

of gold

to sunshine

in the warmer months.

A crispness in the morning

that freshens and enlivens,

the blue of the sky,

the wisp of the clouds

that weave together

into a symphony of promise

Loving God,

It is easy when all is going well.

Grant us the patience and strength and grace to do the right when it is hard; when the only solace we receive is knowing that we have lived our faith.

We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen

Was it the rainbow

Standing up straight?

Was it the golden wash

Of sunshine?

Was it the misty sheen

Of the rain

Against the backdrop of buildings?

Most likely the whole tableau

Brought a smile to my face

And soul.

Another precious moment,

Then, gone.

Ephemeral.

Our days

Are filled with such moments

So long as we’re paying attention

God’s help

comes in different ways

which is good

because I can get caught

in negativity.

Maybe you can relate?

Talking with my friuend Chris

put things in perspective for me.

It wasn’t him

or me

It was us.

This gift

which I have valued

for nearly 20 years

opened my eyes

anew

today.

I am saved

from myself

in relationship.

18 years ago there was an atrocity designed to diminish humanity. My friend Brian Doyle wrote this piece, KaddishforSeptember11, that does its best to reclaim that humanity. I commend it to you

Spare branches

sign of the end

of winter’s grasp

reach up

providing a home

to a flock of sparrows

perching

living balls

puffed against the chill

silent witness

to life

and the goodness

of those slumbering

fitfully below

in solidarity

with those whose lot

is concrete and cardboard

every night

I share with you a booklet of my poetry entitled ‘Shining: A collection of numnous moments’

‘Wishing you peace and all good’ – ‘Pace e bene’

Loving God, you know how much we each need peace. In the end I can only find peace inside myself by being at peace with myself – by loving and valuing who I am and all the goodness you’ve placed in me and my life. So today and every day may I value my giftedness and the giftedness of others in my life. May I appreciate the beauty of the sun, the sky, the plants, the trees and all your creation. May all your gifts open my heart and mind to the goodness you have given me and so may praise of you be on my lips. We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen