Author Archives: livedgospel2013

Asylum seeker by AnneMaree Eddy

I can’t imagine living in a country where war is all I know

But I can try… And the thought is distressing

 

I can’t imagine living in a place where I see people killed around me

But I can try… And the thought is heart breaking

 

I can’t imagine seeing the result of bombs going off in my neighbourhood

But I can try… And the thought is frightening

 

I can’t imagine having my husband, sons, daughters or family members dying from political turmoil

Bur I can try… And the thought is devastating

 

I can’t imagine the fear of family members disappearing never to be seen again

But I can try… And the thought is shattering

 

I can’t imagine living in fear of torture for my beliefs

But I can try… even though the thought horrifies me

 

I can’t imagine having to leave everything I own, love and know to try to be safe

But I can try… And am overwhelmed

 

I can’t imagine being an asylum seeker

But I need to try…

 

No matter how hard I try I can only imagine the pain, the heartbreak, the suffering.

I don’t live it. I don’t feel it.

Those who seek asylum here, it is their reality.

Educating for the Lived Gospel #123

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going. (John 6:16-21)

 In these few lines, an extraordinary, timeless story is told. Seeing past the surface, the disciples are pushed to a physical limit, to a dark place – and their faith is found wanting. How might this passage apply to us? When was the most recent time that my faith was found wanting? What did I learn about myself from that experience? The light of faith in Jesus dispels the darkness of the disciples’ fears. What was the most recent time that the light of faith dispelled my fears?
 
Young people are full of doubts and fears as they struggle to find their place in the world. And, like those who are older, can be quite cruel to those who are different. Encouraging young people along the way of Jesus – love, care & acceptance – dispels fears for the shadows that they are and builds relationships. Young people may then glimpse that they have ‘reached the land towards which they were going’ – a sense of belonging, of community.
 
Have a great week!
Patrick

Educating for the Lived Gospel #122

Jesus said, ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:11)

 
This pastoral image bears some explanation for us 21st century ‘city slickers’. The 1st century shepherd would have looked after his sheep in all weathers, a significant commitment. There was an intimate bond. All that symbolism is picked up here. This scripture is also one of the ‘I am’ sayings in the Gospel of John. ‘I am’ was a name for God, so this scripture indicates that Jesus’ impending death is part of God’s plan for us. Thankfully most educators nowadays don’t find themselves in life or death situations. However, good educators (and parents, too) give of themselves for their students, for their community. In a very real and concrete way, we build community by acting in this way.
 
Young people know and frequently appreciate the educators who give of themselves. It is our role, by word and deed, to encourage young people to do likewise. To encourage young people to discover their gifts – academic, cultural, artistic, sporting, leadership – and use them to help build community, to help build the good.
 
Have a great week!
Patrick

Educating for the Lived Gospel #121

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:7-8)

Like faith, we can show love towards others, but it is difficult to measure. Yet we know whom we love and who loves us. That love can take different forms, different types – we are each so unique. Part of the meaning behind this scripture is that God is the ‘glue’ that binds us together in community. If we truly believe that God is love that should affect who and how I am. However, I am not speaking of ‘lurv’ – some romanticised notion of love. As a parent and educator, I know that tough love can be required and is frequently about the setting of limits and expectations.
 
Young people are thirsting for meaning – and can spot hypocrisy at a distance. They also thrive when they have secure boundaries. By promoting and living a faith that God is love, we give young people a wonderful, credible example – of care for themselves, others and those on the margins.
 
Have a great week!
Patrick

Educating for the Lived Gospel #120

“Walk as a living Gospel” (Helene de Chappotin)

 
There are many facets to this rich Franciscan saying. Our society can see words as static. Uttered in one moment, recorded, used as evidence of praise or blame – this is not the intent of Helene’s saying. Rather, she means that we should embody the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection as we walk through our lives. The bar is set high but such a faith is real – this is the path of integrity. If we each walk as a living Gospel, open to God’s promptings amidst our failings, there is a good news, for each of us, from another.
 
Young people want ideals that are authentic, that live up to some scrutiny. If we provide examples of integrity amidst our failings, we are authentic to ourselves and live up to the scrutiny of (many) young people. The media, which young people can consume so voraciously, can highlight the negative in the world. What better antidote for our young people than to be able to walk and live and speak good news to each of them?
 
Have a great week!
Patrick

Educating for the Lived Gospel #119

We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.

 

 

As we begin another school year, how do we ‘get our head right’ so that we approach the year with anticipation rather than boredom or dread? One answer is perspective. We are doing God’s work, so it’s not all up to us. We do our bit – God does the rest. I have found that a liberating notion. It is also liberating if, like me, you are a ‘recovering perfectionist’. No need to stress!
Ultimately, it gets down to our relationships with young people. We are educators because we love ministering to young people. We are also privileged to write a line or two of a letter on the hearts of young people ‘not with ink, but by the spirit of the living God’. May that ‘fire you up’! Such enthusiasm will touch the hearts of the young people entrusted to our care – and maybe help them glimpse more of the good in themselves which comes from the source of all good, God.
Wishing each of you a blessed 2014!
Patrick

Christmas 2013

“You must be like a child to enter the kingdom of heaven”

This is never more true at Christmas. Children ‘get’ Christmas in ways from which some of us could learn. They are open to the joy, open to the wonder, open to all around them. Such openness brings closer God’s reign. They are a reflection of God-with-us. Surely that is what Christmas is about!

Educating for the Lived Gospel #118

Before I begin this final reflection for 2013, I must honour the passing of Nelson Mandela. I cannot be sad – at 95, he had to go sometime! Mostly I am grateful for and inspired by his life. Would that we followed his lead! An extraordinary example of doing the utmost with your God-given gifts.
 

‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel’,
which means, ‘God is with us.’ (Matt 1:23)

Matthew’s telling of the Christmas story has different emphases. The extraordinary fact of the virgin birth is explained by the child’s divine nature. Yet not in a way that sets him apart. God is with us. This is a God longing to be in relationship with each of us. Do we have the eyes to see God’s daily revelation? Or are we too caught up in doing? Do we long to be in relationship with God? Many of us know the truth behind Augustine’s words: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you’.
Do our young people know, feel, believe that God is with them? Where and how do they find rest? The lives of young people are busy in ways ours weren’t at the same age. Young and old can be busy and distracted at Christmas. We would do well to rest in the knowledge that God is with us. How do we celebrate God with us at Christmas?
Have a blessed Christmas and a great break!
Patrick