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.

Jesus said, ‘So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.’ (Luke 14:33)

Trying to be a disciple of Jesus in a developed country in the 21st century means that this passage is very challenging. There are some who are able to live this command to its fullest – but they are exceptional. There are a couple of points relevant for us, especially during Lent.

There is the way that possessions can have us, holding us back from being all that we can be and affecting our relationships. There is also the way that our consumption of resources affects others by depriving them of their due, along with the impact of that resource use on God’s creation (and thus eventually back on us). Part of the genius of Christianity is that we are saved in and by community. During Lent we do well to each examine our possessions to ensure that they are the best for me…and we.

Have a great week!

Patrick

‘Praised be’

Sang our spiritual guide

Directing our gaze

Towards the incandescent echoes

Of infinite Love

All around us

Every day.

Wonders and delights

Such as

The verdant glow of trees

The flower’s delicate aroma

Another spectacular sunrise

Or sunset

The windswept breakers roll in to the beach

A baby’s infectious giggle

Family, friends, work colleagues

With which we have been gifted

All guiding us

Towards the source of all good.

In our headlong rush

Through our days

We can be blind to these joys.

Rather let us embrace

The ‘wow’ of the child

Which is why we need to be childlike

To enter and embrace God’s reign

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? (1 Cor 3:16)

For Elizabeth…and all of us

Mothers

Link to our past

Give birth to us

And our future

Share their wisdom

And those of their line

As well as precious memories.

All the gestures

All the sayings

All the laughter

All the love

Made manifest

In countless ways

Acxross the years.

‘Thank you’

Hardly seems enough

But it’s a good start

Along with accepting the baton

To create nurturing, inclusive communities

In our turn

This passage from Iasaih says it all…

Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator^* shall go before you,
the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard.
⁹ Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. (Isaiah 58: 6-9)