In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

We begin another term with varying degrees of feeling refreshed after the break. There will be one (or more) incident that brings us ‘back to earth’. We are then forced back to our ‘why’. Why do we work with young people? Every other reason melts away in time (like impurities in a furnace?) until we are left with our faith. Yet our faith is not just individual. We are saved in and by community. Our community sustains us in good and bad times. Just as we go out in faith and service to others.

For young and old there can be so many distractions, so much ‘white noise’ that we can lose our way; lose sight of what truly matters. Our trials, our difficulties do us the service of helping us to grasp what truly matters – our faith.

Have a great week!

Patrick

Warm day

With time

I have the immense joy of being a [human being], a member of a race in which God became incarnate. As if the sorrows and stupidities of the human condition could overwhelm me, now I realize what we all are. And if only everybody could realize this! But it cannot be explained. There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun. —Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander (Image Books: 1968), 157.

As the calendar turns to Easter, we have a choice. Will we focus on the momentary euphoria of the day OR are our lives set on the path to joy? Joy comes from a life seeking justice through right relationships lived in self-sacrificing love. It is indeed a journey – sometimes two steps forward, one step back OR maybe the other way around! This is the truth of the way of the disciples of Jesus – the only true way forward is through the cross. The difficulties and the successes are shared as we live our lives in the image of our God – in community.

Jesus said, ‘Remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ (Mark 14:36)

When all is going well, it is easy to be good and/or to have faith. The Gospel accounts of Jesus’ passion give us an insight into how difficult this time must have been. Pushed to the limit, it’s far easier to walk away: ‘live to fight another day’. Jesus turns that logic on its head while still exhibiting his humanity. He doesn’t want to go to the cross but realises that his faith and integrity require that of him.

These are vital life lessons to share with our young people. Will I stand up for what I believe in? Will I walk away when the going gets tough? Will I be a person of integrity? Will I have faith in God in the tough times and believe in the reflection: ‘it was then that I carried you’? Our answers to such questions can lead us to the full Easter life.

Wishing you a great week!

Patrick

Walk out my door

Into the early morning dark

And as my eyes adjust

I look up

Into the inky sky

And am dazzled

By the stars.

They make me

Catch my breath

And utter ‘thanks’

For this gift.

Plan

Ordinary

Wondrous

For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10)

Read in its context, this verse continues one of the themes of Luke’s gospel – caring for those ‘on the outside’. It is vital that as a church we continue that ministry today so that we can help make the body of Christ whole. Those who are lost have much to teach those whose lives are safe and comfortable – both about humility and faith.

As much as we need to go out to others in need, we also should extend compassion to those parts of ourselves that are ‘lost’. Whether it is due to a death, changed life circumstances, addiction or the like, we can each feel ‘lost’. Such compassion towards ourselves will guide us towards wholeness… and holiness.

Have a great week!

Patrick

During a beautiful celebration

At the cathedral

Where community was tangible

I realised that

I am held

In the arms

Of so many different people

That love and support me

Primarily, my darling wife,

Soul mate

My everything.

Also, my sons,

My mother,

My siblings,

And extended family

Including my in-laws

The list includes

My friends

Some of whom I’m lucky

To have had in my life

For many years

My colleagues

And former colleagues

Students

And former students

Around and under and over

All

Is our faith.

God IS our relationships

And so much more

As our finite words

Cannot describe the infinite.

This community of support is

The body of Christ

Which brings me

To eternal life.

Salvation is now

Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’ (John 14:23)

Lent is designed to guide us towards being able to live the full life of Easter. As Christians we believe that the Father, Son and Spirit exist in a mutual indwelling of love. All of creation is caught up in this giving and receiving of love. Humanity has free will and so can choose to be faithful (or not) to God’s word that draws us towards love, compassion and respect. If we live in a loving way, we are our best selves and live in right relationships with others. Thus we are drawn into God’s very self – this is life to the full.

Young people, rightfully, are caught up in their own developmental project – yet are powerfully drawn towards social justice. Our task is to guide them by word and witness to see that the full life joins us together through right relationships, the living of justice, in a community of love.

Have a great week!

Patrick

I was gardening in my front yard

And a three year old girl

And her parents walked past.

Dad was pushing the girl’s bike

Mum was pushing the younger sibling in a stroller.

The girl stood up straight

And proudly proclaimed to me

As her helmet topped her outfit

That she was riding a two-wheeled bike.

I agreed that this was an excellent achievement.

We continued our exchange

In a similarly forthright and earnest fashion

For a few more moments.

What struck me

As I thanked her parents for this grace

Is that children grow and develop

Because of the love from their parents.

This couple’s love was on display, in spades,

And was a wonder to witness.