John the Baptist proclaimed, ’Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ (Matt 3:2)

Advent prepares us for the coming of Christ at Christmas by reminding us of what we should know, but forget: ’the kingdom of heaven has come near’. It’s like the parallel universes that are spoken of in science (fiction). We are so very close but the way we live our lives, how we treat others, what we value, may mean that we are closer to what the evangelist John refers to – we are living in ’the world’. We must choose to order our lives in such a way that we can greet the Christ-child at Christmas – and glimpse the Christ in each person.

As another school year winds down, may we encourage our young people to give of themselves to those in need – rather than giving so that they can get. Christmas will come – with its finery and shininess – but by re-ordering their lives, just a little, they might glimpse that ’the kingdom of heaven has come near’.

Have a great week!

Patrick

I was privileged

To be invited to

A twelve step meeting.

Those gathered considered a reflection

On the need for tolerance.

I was blessed to hear

Honest human struggle with

Life’s realities.

Wrestling with

Praying for those

Who annoy you

Or ‘press your buttons’.

This was so that they might be given

A fresh perspective or

Letting go of control

And perfectionism.

There was so much

Spiritual and psychological health

To be heard.

Many of us

Who are not addicts

Could do with a regular dose of this!

A friend of mine once called

Such meetings

“Church without the bullshit”

I can see why.

“May the body of Christ bring us to eternal life”

There is salvation

At work in ‘the rooms’

Grow up in one place

Live in another

Work here

Work there

Visit plenty of other places

What does it mean

To feel at home?

So subjective

It can be about

A place

Or the presence

Of certain people

Dislocation

Discomfort

Can help some people

Or make others feel

‘All at sea’

The truth

As is frequently the case

Lies within

If I am enough

Then so will my world be

Are you at home

Today?

“Be merciful just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36)

As we conclude the Year of Mercy, one of the strengths of this time has been to focus upon showing compassion, tending the wounds of others. Such a pastoral focus is a great starting point for our relationships. We don’t know of other’s wounds – they are not always obvious. Such mercy, such compassion towards others can be grace – for all concerned.

Young people, encouraged by society, can think that painful, difficult situations are to be avoided at all costs. The truth is that such situations happen. We have a choice of how we deal with such situations. Once the pain has stopped and the tears have ceased, life can emerge from wounds that have been tended. Whether we tend the wounds of others or have our own wounds tended, our God-given dignity has been affirmed. The dignity that flows from being an image of God.

Have a great week!
Patrick

Jesus taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. (Matt 7:29)

In today’s world, there are many public (and not-so-public) voices who would have us listen to them. They can use or abuse statistics; they can claim to want to make us happy – or better still, safe. As much as we may be drawn to one or more of such voices, they may not satisfy us at the deepest level. Who do I look to in my life? What or who guides me or has authority in my life, especially when times are tough?

Young people, like many of us, want to be assured that they are ‘doing the right thing’. The message of Jesus – we are creatures of God; we are one family; love, compassion and forgiveness are vital to everyone’s flourishing, including our own – has authority because it is the truth. It speaks to our heart’s deepest longings. By following the message of Jesus, we can assure young people that they are doing the right thing. That is the path of wholeness and holiness…for all.

Have a great week!
Patrick

Written and reproduced with permission from Jennifer and Lauren

Roses aren’t always red,
Violets aren’t exactly blue,
The society that we live in,
Never seems to speak the truth,
Smiles aren’t always happy,
Frowns aren’t always upset,
people judge too quickly,
And our feelings are what they forget,
The realm of spirituality is mystical and mysterious,
Humankind has woven words into the creations of beauty,
Sometimes our world opposes and sometimes it concurs,
We cannot control other’s emotions,

We can only wish for good to be upon us,
Only God knows our true intentions,
We can only pray for him to hear us,
Spirituality is within us and lives within us,

There is a voice inside of you,
That whispers what is right and wrong,
What should be acted upon or not,
Just listen to what’s inside of you,

Your spirit is only found in your heart,
Have your mind to be positive,
Only think optimistically,
Like a rainbow after a storm

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. (Matt 6:21)

In other words, what really matters to me? I can say the words that I think will make others happy – ’toe the company line’ – but we need to be able to answer the question: ‘what is truly important to me?’ For a variety of reasons, it is possible to live a life disconnected from ourselves where I feel that there is nothing to treasure. I may no longer trust my heart or life can seem generally grey. Also, if I put my store in things, I will not build and maintain healthy relationships with family and friends.

Part of our task with the young people in our care is to remind them to value people and use things – not the other way around. Another facet of our role is to help young people discover what matters to them – to follow their heart. Their happiness lies there, since the God who loved them into life placed that goodness in them. That goodness when harnessed which adds a unique and delicate thread to the great tapestry of humanity.

Have a great week!
Patrick

Lead me in your truth, and teach me (Ps 25:5)

As human beings, we always have limited knowledge, understanding and wisdom. No-one has the truth ’sewn up’. Over time we may grow in our comprehension of the truth. We are taught and led, by God’s grace, through the scriptures, Church teaching, as well as people and events of our lives. A particular combination of events can prepare us, draw us to a greater appreciation of an aspect of truth – about ourselves, others or God.

Clearly we have a role to play in leading and teaching the young people in our care. We can help young people young people discern the truth from that which just advances a product, brand, or someone’s ‘bottom line’. Another significant part that we can play is to help young people to understand that, as much as they are learning about themselves now, they do not ‘arrive’ at 18, 28 or any other age. Over time, our enthusiasm to do so may wane but as long as we remain open, we can continue to learn and grow as individuals.

Have a great week!
Patrick

I heard part of the story

Of Nigethan

A Tamil man.

He spent months moving around

In Sri Lanka

Enduring persecution

Witnessing traumatic events.

Eventually he decided

To leave

Without his wife and child.

A long and circuitous journey

Brought him to Christmas Island.

He was in detention

For over 6 years.

Now he has a bridging visa.

So he can’t leave Australia

And his family can’t come here.

Eight years apart.

I have not lived his life

But it seems like

Torture

To me.

Yet he is grateful

To the Australian people

for their welcome and help.

What a shame

That bureaucracies

Are not guided by

Love and compassion.

My Year 11 class recently has been sharing music that has meaning to them. They have played songs that noted the world’s difficulties. While affirming that, I asked them to take time outside on a sunny Melbourne day and call to mind what makes them happy

Smiling

Laughing young people

Under an azure sky

Savouring their release from ‘captivity’

We are filled with the sights and smells of spring.

Despite the wind

A camaraderie

Is shared

Goodness flows

Happiness is glimpsed

May we keep our focus

On the good

Remembering that joy

Is the infallible sign of

The presence of God