No one is good but God alone (Mark 10:18)

At first read this passage can sound negative but we need to know the context of Mark’s gospel – the Neronic persecution – so there are less ‘frills’. Beginning with the creation accounts in Genesis, God’s creation is good. Thus the statement, thoroughly Franciscan, that God is the source of all good. As believers and humans we can be caught in a tension. We are each capable of great goodness – love, compassion, selfless giving. But we do not live like that all of the time – at least I know I don’t!

We should regularly give thanks for God’s goodness in our world – in ourselves, in others and the panoply of delights in God’s creation. And may we ensure that when we extend compassion towards others that there is some compassion left for ourselves and our own failings. Maybe even a measure of humour: ‘there I go again!”

Have a great week!
Patrick

The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone (Ps 118)

Psalm 118 was written in the context of the fledgling nation of Israel fighting and defeating surrounding nations. This passage is used in Christianity to refer to Jesus. Jesus was not favourably received by the Jewish establishment yet he is pivotal to our faith. This passage may ring true for some readers in the context of their lives: feeling rejected or an ‘outsider’ but with determination and faith go on to play their part, one that is significant to them.

Our young people need to learn to trust in themselves and their abilities – placed there by the God who loved them into life. They need to learn to be resilient – rising above challenges, ignoring ‘the haters’. While we have our Messiah, this passage can encourage young people to shake off difficulties, use their God-given gifts to the full and play their unique part in their community.

Have a great week!
Patrick

Waves surging

Made more boisterous

By an icy wind

Grin on the face of a passer by

Sharing joy

In our kelpie’s delight

Of retrieving the ball

Pale stump of a rainbow

The morning’s crowning glory

A cloud, brilliant white

Rimmed in the sun’s gold

Topped by a dazzling

Shaft of light

This is living

I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. (Eph 1:16)

An incorrect idea about prayer can become prevalent – that prayer is just between the individual and God. This enhances the stereotype of God as ‘indulgent parent’ handing out ‘goodies’ if we ‘ask nicely’. This passage is very much about community – the body of Christ. This passage is about appreciating the goodness in others. Thus prayer is about relationships – with God and others.

It has long been a tradition in the Church to pray for others. They might be a departed loved one, someone who is in need of love and mercy, someone for whom we wish to give thanks or maybe someone with whom we wish to have a better relationship. I’m sure we each have stories of those prayers being answered. Encouraging such prayerful habits in our young people provides the constant reminder that it is about we – not just me.

Have a great week!
Patrick

O you who answer prayer! (Ps 65:2)

Addressing God in this way speaks of faith and hope. We believe that prayer is answered. Our experience can be that prayer may not always be answered in the way that we originally wanted it to be. In hindsight we might glimpse God’s plan for ourselves and others. Thus our experience can help us to grow in faith, hope and trust.

Starting on a journey of faith, the young people in our care must be supported to pray. That might come from opportunities for prayer – both formal and informal – with which they are provided. It could also come from judicious sharing of our own faith journeys. With the Holy Spirit at work in them and us, we journey closer to the faith, hope and trust of the psalmist.

Have a great week!
Patrick

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:6)

The Gospels speak of the apostles and they are portrayed as fallible human beings. I suspect many of us recognise that cry to ‘increase my faith’. I may think that my faith needs increasing because I do not feel that I’m up to the challenges that I must deal with. I may think my faith needs increasing due to doubts I am experiencing. I may think my faith needs increasing so that I can let go of my control. Then I can pray wholeheartedly ‘your will be done’.

The ups and downs of life as well as the uncertainty of teenage existence can be markers of growth – with more faith. Our role is to be real about our faith…and its shortcomings. So that when we pray ‘increase our faith’ we are praying with, as well as for our young people.

Have a great week!

Patrick

Easter is the feast of hope. Whether we look at our own lives or at the world generally, we need hope. Pain, suffering and even death do not have the last word. However, the hope of Easter comes through the cross. With the eyes of faith we can spot this pattern in our own lives and in the world at large. It might be the pain of distance or addiction or the death of a loved one – with a view that is long enough and dollops of the grace of patience and perseverance we can see things turning towards the full life to which we are called (John 10:10).

The full life has us connected with others rather than isolated. The full life includes time for prayer and reflection which act as a ground for our life to ensure that we connect to our best and truest selves. The full life includes going out of ourselves in love towards others. A full life includes being open to God’s graces that abound which may include moments of revelation and salvation – about ourselves, our relationships with others and God or life in general.

May we each continue the work to bring our full life closer this Easter
Patrick

As we mark Holy Week, leading to Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, there are so many places in the world today where suffering abounds. It might be the victims of another terrorist attack – in the Middle East, Egypt, Stockholm, London or elsewhere. It might be the victims of a chemical weapon. There are numerous situations of ‘conflict’ or ‘unrest’ throughout the world where people suffer, such as in South Sudan. We might also consider how many are oppressed in God’s name today.

There are millions of refugees worldwide – fleeing from situations of death, suffering and pain. They may have watched a loved one be killed, tortured or raped – or endured themselves.

We raise our hands to heaven and ask ‘when will it end?’ Better still to ask ‘how is my government treating refugees in my name?’ and ‘how can I be God’s heart and hands in this situation?’

The time is coming when people will be insane, and when they see someone who is not insane, they will attack that person saying: “You are insane because you are not like us.”

Abba Anthony (3rd century CE)

For Oscar Romero at his feast day

A life of integrity

And witness

Cut short by power,

Deaf and blind

To the inconvenient truth.

Your life

Freely given for faith

And love

Especially of the little ones

As you celebrated

God-with-us

With your very person.

Your deeds and words

Reverberate across the years

Touch my heart

And inspire me

To live

As a disciple