Christmas gathers up so many memories and so many feelings – and not all of them are happy. It can be an acutely painful time for some as the pain of absence stands in stark contrast to the joy of others. Christmas is the celebration of God-with-us, incarnate love. And as much as love swells our hearts, love can also wound – ask any parent. We put so much on one day – impossibly high expectations – but love should be for every day. If 25 December doesn’t go to plan, there are 364 other days to express our love in tangible ways. Expressions of love to our nearest and dearest but also expressions of Love whether in prayer, delight in God’s creation or care for those in need. And be open to how Love can teach you – every day.

Jesus said, ‘Whoever serves me must follow me’ (John 12:26)

There is a difference between saying that you’re a disciple of Jesus and being a disciple of Jesus. Rather than just being full of high-sounding words, the true disciple lives their faith. They follow Jesus in their actions and their words. Following Jesus means following God’s word of compassion and inclusion for those on the outer. Including those on the outer isn’t ‘doing them a favour’. Rather it is living our faith in the body of Christ – that everyone has something to offer and we are all the poorer without it. Following Jesus also means speaking the truth to power – an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous place to be.

Have a great week!

Patrick

But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance. (Luke 8:15)

Life can be difficult at times – which is why we need to hold fast to God’s word, to get us through those times. This passage speaks of really internalising God’s word – but not just in the heart, but ‘an honest and good heart’. The implication being that honesty and goodness are synonymous with God.

We live in a time focussed on immediate results. Thus it is interesting to note the countercultural tone of this passage that God’s word ‘bears fruit with patient endurance’. There is a sense of this being in kairos, in God’s time.

Have a great week!

Patrick

For with you is the fountain of life (Ps 36:9)

It is easy to feel ‘dried out’ by life. It might be my own worries and concerns OR it could be observing the difficulties of others, near or far. Yet, we are nourished and replenished by God. How?

We are nourished by our relationships with others (since God is love – 1 John 4:8) and God through prayer. I am nourished by my community (when two or three are gathered in my name I am with you – Matt 18:20). We are also nourished by God’s word in the scriptures as well as the Eucharist. We need to remember to use all of these as frequently and as consciously as we can.

Have a great week!

Patrick

learn to do good;

seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:17)

We can focus on ‘being good’. Isaiah reminds us of the importance of actions – doing good. The formula outlined in this passage is repeated in the Hebrew scriptures – look after those on the margins of society. Look after those crushed by ‘the system’ (the oppressed) and those who have no connection to society and thus no ‘safety net’ (the orphan and the widow).

Such actions focus not on GDP nor KPIs but focus on ‘the other’ – not me, but we. When my focus is other-directed, I become whole as do those in need and thus our society. For us and the young people in our care, this is the path to wholeness and holiness.

Have a great week!

Patrick

Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

Our culture has skewed the meaning of the word ‘love’ – towards something that is sweet and light and fluffy. The Greek used here is better translated as ‘self-sacrificing love’. To love as Jesus did means to love fully, completely, until the end. We might be able to accomplish that for one or two people – wife, husband, partner, children – but Jesus is asking the disciples to love each other in that way. This sets the bar high! But as much as we can do so, we strengthen our relationships immeasurably. We build community.

For the young people in our care, loving in this way flies in the face of the short-term dalliances and commodification of relationships that are promoted in our culture. As much as each of us can love as Jesus did we will be being true to ourselves and our communities – living in the image of the God of love in whom we were created.

Have a great week!

Patrick

For the LORD takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with victory. (Psalm 149:5)

As adults we revel when the young people in our care shine. This is but a reflection of God’s joy in her children. We are made to shine. We are made to discover our gifts and use them. The use of our gifts is most fruitful when we build our community with them. We also know that not only the humble win – whether in sport, politics or some other endeavour – but it sits best with those who are humble. The champion Roger Federer springs to mind.

This is also an opportunity to clarify humility for our young people. The humble person knows their giftedness – they just don’t need to constantly ‘tell the world’ about their gifts. Young people can shine in many ways. We need to have the eyes and ears to catch them doing it and praise them for it.

Have a great week!

Patrick

In every nation anyone who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him (Acts 10:35)

This reading is set when the disciples were discerning who could be part of the Church. Was it to just be Jews, as most of them were? Their answer, as we know, was a much broader, more inclusive Church. ‘Does what is right’ is a translation of a word meaning ‘justice and right relationships’ i.e. what must be done to bring God’s reign. Between that and someone who reveres God – you can’t ask much more from a person.

In our flawed humanity, we can fall short of our ideals. Our role with the young people in our care is to encourage them to aspire to ideals – while also being gentle with themselves (and those around them) when they inevitably fall short. By displaying compassion, we act in the image of God.

Have a great week!

Patrick

Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ The Ethiopian replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ (Acts 8:30-31)

Whether it is a book of scripture or the book of my life, I need a reliable guide. That could be someone who has demonstrated knowledge and wisdom on a topic or someone who has lived life and reflected upon it. There is no shortage of information today but does it guide and nurture me?

A guide rounds out the details and cares about whether I truly understand. In much the same way, it is our task to guide the young people in our care – on both faith and life as they are inextricably linked. Jesus has ‘the words of eternal life’ (John 6:68). We must nurture ourselves so that we can nurture our young people in turn.

Have a great week!

Patrick