Author Archives: livedgospel2013

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

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