Brian Doyle’s ability to describe a situation so well that you are there emphasised his incarnational sense of the world: God, grace are everywhere. This resonated powerfully with me. This is why, despite the Pacific Ocean, I felt such a strong connection with him – and such a loss at his passing. When I have completed this portion of my grieving I hope to again be inspired and consoled by his writing with its ability to glimpse God at work in every facet of our lives.

Baby with her parents

Eyes wide

Soaking it all in

Happy

Smiling at everyone

Secure in love

From her parents

Which gives her the freedom

To grow

And absorb all around

With eyes of wonder

Reminding us to do likewise

And savour God’s handiwork

Beginning leave, I am filled with a sense of gratitude which inspired this

Where does it begin?

Community puts down roots

In the hearts of each

It’s leaves and branches

Spring forth

In word and deed

Animated

By the richly poor man

From Assisi

Based in faith

Of the richly poor man

From Nazareth

From the young

And the less so

Comes

The encouraging word

Plenty of smiling ‘hellos’

Support in time of need

Praise for effort

Supportive challenge

Loving correction

Laughs and jokes

Thought-provoking questions

Reflection and prayer

Such caring expressions

Bind us together

And so we become what we believe

God islove

Loving God, we thank you for the gift that is the Ave Maria community. As much as we are supported by it may we do all we can to build it up and so continue to learn that it is in giving that we receive.

About to begin

A time of leave

f you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ (Luke 11:13)

The Holy Spirit guides us into the truth (John 16:13) about ourselves, about others, about life. Part of that truth is coming to understand more fully who I am and my giftedness. The Holy Spirit also sustains us through the difficult times that come. The Holy Spirit is an extraordinary gift – and all we have to do is ask! Such is the love from our God who loved each of us into being.

In this Easter time, I come to realise that living life to the full is not a project I can achieve alone. It is through prayer and reflection that I grow in self-knowledge – and grow in my understanding of my limitations and thus my need of support – of the strongest kind! The Holy Spirit will guide me to see the gifts God has placed in me and help me to use them to build community.

I’ll be on leave for a few weeks – so I’ll catch you later!

Wishing you peace and all good

Patrick

Do not fear, only believe. (Mark 5:36)

In this passage Jesus raises the girl from the dead. There are many facets to this story but one view is that in telling them ‘do not fear’, Jesus is saying to them ‘do not look on the surface’. Believing gives us a broader, deeper vision; seeing things as they might be – not just as they are. Believing in this way gives us the grace and strength to deal with difficulties, seeing the situation and people as they might be – living in justice and right relationships.

Fear can hold us back in many ways. For the young people in our care, fear might hold them back from exploring their gifts, trying new experiences or from believing in themselves. Seeing the world and themselves as they might be – as God made them to be – allows them to make their contribution, including overcoming unjust situations. Seeing the good in themselves also allows them to see the good in others, sometimes hidden, and so grow in compassion. These are all important factors in living life to the full.

Have a great week!

Patrick

the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill Jesus; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard. (Luke 19:47-48)

Whether it is the Gospels, the reflections of the mystics or our modern sage, Michael Leunig, they outline that human actions and reactions can be attributed to the choice between fear or love. Love is arresting and attractive because it is in sharp counterpoint to fear. There were many forces at work in first century Palestine but one way of reading this passage juxtaposes the fear of the ‘leaders of the people’ with the love of Jesus. Jesus’ love seen in his preaching and ministry was attractive – thus ‘the people were spellbound’.

With this in mind, we should reflect upon our actions and reactions to discern how many come from a place of love and how many come a place of fear. Am I practising what I preach? And if I don’t like what I see, how am I going to change? They are difficult but important questions for us to answer so that we can live the full life of Easter.

Have a great week!

Patrick

And if people were amazed at the power and workings of nature, let them perceive from them how much more powerful is the one who formed them. (Wisdom 13:4)

Study of nature whether it is soil, plants, insects, animals, birds, fish, rocks, fossils or so many other ‘ologies’ – provides us with so many intricate details, so much order, so much richness that I believe the first and most appropriate response is awe. I note that awe is one of the traditional gifts of the Holy Spirit. That awe can inspire us to want to learn more – and appreciate the area of study as something precious and wondrous.

We should remember that God is the author of the Book of Scripture and the book of Nature. It is our task as we work with the young people in our care to ignite the spark of curiosity, wonder and awe at the extraordinary richness and connections in our areas of academic expertise. But as the quote from scripture reminds us, we must honour the giver of all these precious gifts – and do our part to take care of them.

Have a great week!

Patrick

People came to Jesus from everywhere (Mark 1:45)

We are searching – searching for wholeness, searching for truth. As Augustine said: ‘Our hearts are restless until they rest in you’. Compassion and integrity are attractive. They speak to us on a very deep level: ‘you have the words of eternal life’ (John 6:68). They resonate with us. You can be yourself, know you’re accepted and that there are no hidden agendas. When you find some answers, some truth, you continue to pray and/or marry that person and/or put down roots in that community.

‘I am the way, the truth and the life’ (John 14:6). The young people in our care are beginning their journey, their search for truth and for life. Our role is to be witnesses to the truth of the Gospel. May our young people find some compassion and integrity in you and in me. In our flawed fashion may we direct them to the source of all wholeness and holiness – God.

Have a great week!

Patrick

Horizontal drapes

Of delicate clouds

In slivery white

Through to grey

Sky awash with blues

Through to oranges and apricots.

Miraculous, shimmering tableau

And salve

Largely ignored

By those travelling home

From their work.

And so the veil is drawn

On another day.