Author Archives: livedgospel2013

Life to the full

I’ve been reflecting on John 10:10 and 20:31…

‘Life to the full’

is about being fully

who you are

Being whole

Wholly giving of yourself

in love.

 

Life to the full

Is rejoicing in a baby’s chuckle

 

Life to the full

Is the caring touch toward someone in need.

 

Life to the full

Is awe at God’s creation.

 

Life to the full

Is valuing the wisdom of lived experience

 

Life to the full

Is sating your body’s fire

With reciprocal loving

 

Each such moment

Is sacramental,

A sign of God’s presence,

Part of the fullness

Of life

Of love

Of communion

Toward which each moment of our lives calls us.

Educating for the Lived Gospel #142

I’m about to undertake some travel, so I’ll be ‘off the air’ shortly for a few weeks…

 

 

But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31)

It is a mistake to think of the Gospels as historical documents. Yes, Jesus was a historical figure but this conclusion of John’s Gospel lays out its purpose – it is a faith document, crafted to guide the reader towards faith in Jesus. But this is not a ‘numbers ministry’ – like trying to rack up the greatest number of Facebook friends or Twitter followers. Faith in Jesus gives life in a way that leads to ‘life to the full’ (John 10:10).

With young people, we can assert that Jesus was a historical figure – since the Gospels are faith documents we needn’t try to reconcile differences or discrepancies between them. Defining truth in purely historical or scientific terms is insufficiently broad when it comes to faith. The Gospels were written for different communities with different needs. It remains for us to be the best witnesses of faith we can, demonstrating the life we have in Jesus’ name – and, despite the faults and failings of we who are the Church, ‘God writes straight with crooked lines’.

Have a great week!

Patrick

Educating for the Lived Gospel #141

But Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you”, and they ask me, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’ (Exodus 3:14)

In Jewish culture and history, to know someone’s name is to put you on a similar level to them. You know them. This poses an ongoing question, ‘How can we know God?’ And yet, as humans, we require some sort of naming to be able to engage in dialogue, or just plain wonder, about our creator. Scripture provides us with hints and glimpses as to how God acts and interacts with humanity. We can focus on our heritage and we can long for a future, but this Scripture answers the question, ‘Where will we find God?’ The response is that God is in the present, in the ‘now’ of our lives.

We can long for the ‘sugar daddy’ God who will save us from all inconvenience, disappointment or pain. Maybe even save us from ourselves. Rather, God is to be found in the present – in our hopes and dreams, our pain and suffering – the real messiness of our lives. This is where we will recognise the joy that is the infallible sign of God’s presence. May we all have our eyes open!

Have a great week!

Patrick

Emptied

Qualifications

Positions of responsibility

Years of experience

Give the illusion of control.

Kindly affirmation by others

Can add to the illusion,

Until harsh reality sets in

Like a bucket of cold water

Poured over your head.

The ‘rosy glow’ is quickly dispelled.

 

While painful,

One gets the proper perspective:

All is gift.

 

So, appreciate what you have been given

Rejoice in each day

And treasure love

Educating for the Lived Gospel #140

Thomas answered Jesus, ‘My Lord and my God!’ (John 20:28)

Through the centuries, the term ‘doubting Thomas’ has not been used kindly. But who of us, put in the same situation, would believe that their dead friend had risen, without some doubt? I put it to you that more important than Thomas’ doubt is his faith. Saying ‘my Lord and my God’ is one of the fullest proclamations of faith in Jesus in John’s Gospel. And so we have affirmed again that doubt can be part of the faith journey.

The world that young people live in is not always conducive to faith. Access to so much information and so many competing faith stances and ideologies makes affirming one choice difficult. We cannot force the grace that is needed for faith. We can build relationships with the young, we can model our faith, and we can provide opportunities for prayer and worship. The rest is in God’s hands.

Have a great week!
Patrick

Educating for the Lived Gospel #139

Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ (Exodus 3:5)

In ancient times, slaves walked with bare feet. Part of the symbology here is not approaching God as an equal. This text encourages us to approach God in prayer in humility. It also asks us to ponder what and where is holy ground in our lives – our families or our ministry. This text also prompts us to remain alert to the ‘sacred surprise’ – the holy moment we weren’t expecting.

We need to guide the young people in our care to glimpse the holy ground in their lives – those people and relationships that love, nurture and help them to be their best selves. By helping them to build a relationship with God through prayer, the young will be more alert to savour the graced opportunity when it presents itself.

Have a great week…and a great term!
Patrick

Love

SO much talk

A great deal of it empty

About this pivotal human trait

 

More important is the question

‘Do I act out of love?’

The focus of love is on the other.

Its focus is on giving not receiving.

 

Whether it is intimate love, love of humanity or love of creation

If love flows through my actions,

Then goodness radiates from those actions.

Relationships and communities are built and strengthened.

Slowly, imperceptibly

Right relationships and justice draw closer

And God’s reign is glimpsed

Educating for the Lived Gospel #138

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; for until certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, ‘If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?’ (Gal 2:11-14)

This text deals with a fundamental question that echoes through the centuries: how are we to live our faith? We shortly will celebrate the feast of Sts Peter and Paul. Both of these apostles had a conversion experience; both were well aware of their failings. It is interesting that the Church, in her wisdom, celebrates these apostles with divergent characters and styles on the one day. That Paul was prepared to criticise Peter is an example to all who would stand against authority.

Young people want to live authentically, live as people of integrity. Following rules unquestioningly has its limits. We must be open to the questions and challenges of young people. After all, God gave us a brain to use. Such questioning helps young people to grow in their own sense of faith. It is also good to show young people that questioning is part of Scripture and part of the faith journey.

Have a great week…and break!
Patrick

Mosaic

For my colleagues at Ave

 

Life to the full

Is a mosaic.

We each add our piece

Or pieces,

But need a community

To help make the picture.

 

Like the pieces of

A love of young people,

Clear thinking,

Careful management,

A heart for others,

And an eye for detail

With a liberal dose of selflessness

Make a beautiful whole

When brought together.