Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)

As humans we want a ‘satisfying’ end – whether that is the end of a story, the end of a phase of our lives or the end of a life. If the ending is untimely or there are ‘loose ends’, our brains will ‘worry away’ at such matters until a ‘completion’ can be found. The disciples of Jesus suffered a devastating loss at his death. It was only after the resurrection of Jesus when they turned his words over and over in their minds that they found an answer much broader than Jesus.

This type – the death that gives life – they finally saw in many places, including nature. With this faith, disciples of Jesus found the grace and strength to withstand persecutions and many other difficulties. With this faith, an individual life helps to build a community. This logic is still counterintuitive, as I suspect it always will be. Yet there is so much richness that we must try to break it open for our young people so that they can ponder its truth in the light of their lives. With God’s grace the pattern will continue.

Have a great week!

Patrick

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. (John 19:26-27)

At the foot of the cross, the Church begins, as family. ‘The disciple whom Jesus loved’ could be John – and it could be a narrative device for any disciple. Jesus tells his mother and the disciple that they are family now – intimately connected.

As a Church we celebrate Mary’s feast this week; we ponder her faith – a faith that saw her present through Jesus’ passion and death. We’ve seen this example followed by many faith-filled people throughout the centuries, including in our own lives. As much as we wish to escape pain, those who stand by us through the tough times are valued by us – and are following Mary’s example. Such faith also fosters hope and builds loving relationships – where God who is love can be seen.

Have a great week!

Patrick

Thus says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:33)

This passage has links to the ethics of natural law: people are born with a sense of right and wrong. For the vast majority of people, this passage holds true. And yet, we can know the good and choose otherwise – for a variety of reasons. These compulsions, addictions or whatever they are, blind us to the good – and prevent us from listening to our hearts.

And so we return to the importance of prayer and reflection. They are the opportunities to stop, listen to our heart, take stock of where we are headed. We can think we are carried along by the tide of life, neglecting to see the choices we have made – and the consequences of those choices. The cure to our problem is there – but it may not be easy.

Have a great week!

Patrick

The Lord said, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

‘You have my word’ is an expression indicating the truth or fullness of our intention. I say I will and I do so. Much more than a human intention, God’s word is so rich and multi-faceted. God’s word guides us, corrects us, inspires us, warns us. God’s word sets out a long-term plan for humanity, fully aware of our faults and failings but equally aware of our individual goodness and giftedness.

Our task is to open the eyes of the young people in our care to glimpse and maybe grasp that God’s word is for them. It is not set in the past but, if we are open, can speak to the heart of each person. God’s word speaks to our failings and our yearnings. This plan directs us home, into the arms of the God who loved us into life.

Have a great week!

Patrick

God tempts no one. But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it. (James 1:13-14)

Humans can seek to deflect the blame of an action or situation – what I have heard referred to as ‘deny, blame, justify’. Who better to blame than God? ‘God made me this way’. One problem with this is that there is no place for free will – what about my choices? I do not believe in a God who is master puppeteer.

Whatever my desires are – for food, for intimacy – it is how we channel those desires. We need food to survive. Yet, when we over-eat is there some other hole we are trying to fill? We each crave for intimacy. There are many ways this can be sated. We are made in the image of God who is love. This is why we are most satisfied in relationships where there is mutual giving and receiving of love. We are hard-wired to connect with others so that it is about we not me.

Have a great week!

Patrick

be examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:3)

Whether I am a teacher, parent or another adult, I have a place of leadership in the lives of young people. I can be an influence – for good or otherwise. In using the language of the passage, Peter asks us to be caring and considerate. Then, as now, each ‘sheep’ is important. So, in the mundane reality of our lives, it also means there will be times when we need to put our personal needs aside to care for our young people. I’m sure you know what I mean!

And so we return to integrity. It is important that young people see us practise the rituals of our faith. It is also vital that young people see us living our faith in a practical sense – by speaking and acting for justice for the needy in our world. In an everyday sense, young people should see in us, however partial, a reflection of Jesus. Helene de Chappotin, founder of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary said to ‘walk as a living Gospel’ – that young people will read the Gospel in us. What will they read in me?

Have a great week…and term!

Patrick

Today I am in Mykonos

I ate a splendid meal

While admiring the blues

Of the Aegean Sea

And of the sky

We wander the narrow alleys

While still watching for

Manic motorists.

We have a coffee

Made with fresh milk.

Heaven!

Also delightful

Was the baklava

From a family business

The ubiquitous white-washed buildings

The many Orthodox chapels

Were so peace-filled

I am trying

To appreciate each moment

Grateful I’m sharing it

With my love

All the while

Mentally pinching myself

I am in Mykonos!

My day began

Looking at a pink sunrise

Alongside blue land and water

As we scudded through

The Ionian Sea

I then fed my passion

For things ancient

Visiting the home of

The Olympic Games

Gazing upon statues

And the remains of temples

To bygone gods

Glimpsing a world up to

5000 years old

I then strolled through a

More modern Greek village

And enjoyed yiayia’s baklava.

My day concluded

Eating an amazing meal

In lovely surroundings

Chatting and laughing

With the love of my life.

I am deeply grateful for it all.

Seven men were gathered

Singing in Croatian

A capella

With a rich tone and harmonies

Accentuated

By their choice of space

With its acoustics

And ambience

In Diocletian’s palace in Split

What moved me to tears?

The ability of music

To share passion

And connect souls

In a moment, uncapturable

For which one must be

Present

Or as Keats put it:

‘Truth is beauty, beauty truth

that’s all ye know on earth

and all ye need to know’

Doing what it is made for

A seagull hovered overhead

Graceful, languid

Allowing us to marvel

At this grace-filled moment

Window into its existence

Before it soared elsewhere

Meanwhile the million tonnes of metal

Upon which I sit

Expends so much energy

Just to try to keep up