Author Archives: livedgospel2013

Educating for the Lived Gospel #128

So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (John 13:14)

As we approach Easter, we grapple again with the meaning of the paschal mysteries. Ultimately, Easter is about life – Jesus’ death shows us how to live. A life lived for others has meaning…and inspires others. No matter how many God-given gifts you have, you need to be of service to others, building community. The more power and authority you have, the more you can be of service to others.

It is our role to be ‘translators’ of the Gospel for young people. In our work with young people, do we impose our will or, rather, do we seek to create order so that all can be respected? We could tell them the meaning we gain from the Gospel. We could use contemporary examples of service or ‘life from death’ (this video is an example). The witness of our lives shows that we use our gifts to build community.

Wishing you each a blessed Easter…and a well-earned break!
Patrick

Educating for the Lived Gospel #127

Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ (Luke 2: 34-35)

The stories of Mary and Jesus are intertwined. Mary’s journey was forever shaped by her ‘yes’ to God at the Anunciation which we celebrate this week. As mothers do, she loved her child. However, her love and eventual discipleship took her to dark and unexpected places. As a husband and father, I looked on and marvelled at the relationship between my wife and our sons. I can imagine what my wife’s response would be to see either of our sons publicly derided – but to watch, powerless, as they die a slow, humiliating death? Mary must have frequently caught an echo of the Anunciation.
 
Young people need examples, especially of those who have overcome adversity (for a contemporary example, watch this video). Mary loved as mothers do…and then some. By grace and faith, she didn’t just survive, she is a lasting exemplar of humanity and faith and discipleship.
 
Have a great week!
Patrick 

Educating for the Lived Gospel #126

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?
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? (Is 58:6-7)
During Lent, we most frequently focus on fasting of a bodily kind. This fascinating passage asks an interesting question: what is the point of fasting? Rather than a spirituality modelled on our society, i.e. individualistic, this passage implies that fasting should draw us into community, that we might see others’ needs, have compassion and help them.
Young people can assert that religious language and rituals have little to do with ‘real’ life. Relationships are very important to young people. Religious practice that cares for those in need strikes many young people as relevant and resonates with them developmentally.
Have a great week!
Patrick

Enraptured

As I travel through the early morning blear

And half light,

Above what man has made

Is today’s unique gift.

A sunrise

Glowing with hues of blue and apricot

Ethereal

And sustaining

So long as you’re paying attention

Educating for the Lived Gospel #125

So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. (John 6:67-68)

There are many distractions in modern life. Consumerism – the constant ‘wanting’ touted as ‘good for the economy’ is one. Another is a restless need to constantly be busy, be productive. Another still is the way work demands can spill over into non-working hours. These examples, and others like them, are never sated. Where will we find true meaning for our lives? Augustine’s words, which echo the scripture passage, are well put: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you”. Am I making regular time to find that rest?
 
Young people have a variety of influences on them such as family, friends, social media, Internet and TV. Exploration is a natural part of being young. However, young people can be easily influenced – not being sure which way to turn. Our influence, our example of ‘finding rest’ in our faith is important to share with our young people.
 
Have a great week!
Patrick

Gentle friend

There are those who draw attention to themselves

But not my gentle friend

Who quietly stirs the hearts

Of those with good will

Who prompts the shy smile

Who prompts the reticent student

To ask a question

Who helps our hearts

Blaze against injustice

Who helps us see the good

In others and ourselves

Who can use the words of a man

Full of failings

To help another

Glimpse their heart’s longings

 

O come Holy Spirit?

No,

Our gentle friend

Is already with us.

Am I paying attention?

Educating to the Lived Gospel #124

‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others…‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. (Matt 6:2,5)

 
Lent is our opportunity to ‘fess up’ to our failings and do what we can to be better people. Self-improvement? Lent has provided that chance for centuries. We know what to do – but remembering to do it? That is grace. This passage reminds us of what we know, but forget. “Grandstanding” is clearly not just a 21st century malaise! For those of us who are extrovert or needy – a ‘burst pipe’ or crave the pat on the back – such advice is all the more challenging.
 
Our task is to help young people to build a reflex of giving, a reflex of prayer – so that they become second nature. The moral equivalent of muscle memory. A reflex of giving reminds us how blessed we are that we live in community and that we are our brother’s and sister’s keeper. A reflex of prayer reminds us that all we have and all we are is gift from God and that we never have to go it alone. Such is the Christian life to which we are all called.
 
Have a great week!
Patrick