I couldn’t go past these words from Oscar Romero which still ring true…

It will always be Pentecost in the church,
provided the church lets the beauty of the Holy Spirit
shine forth from her countenance.
When the church ceases to let her strength
rest on the power from above –
which Christ promised her
and which he gave her on that day –
and when the church leans rather on the weak forces
of the power or wealth of this earth,
then the church ceases to be newsworthy.
The church will be fair to see,
perennially young,
attractive in every age,
as long as she is faithful to the Spirit that floods her
and she reflects that Spirit
through her communities,
through her pastors,
through her very life.
MAY 14, 1978

Violence of Love pp61-62

Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. (John 6:68)

This begs the question: ‘To whom do I go to be fed?’ Human hearts can be restless. I can fill my life with achievements, with prizes, with money, with ‘stuff’. If they do not satisfy, I can numb myself with substances – legal or illegal. While that strategy may work in the short term, it is a path to oblivion. A life lived for others, building community, promoting love, compassion and the God-given goodness of each person – these are the ‘words of eternal life’.

Our world is filled with many distractions for young people. It may be the latest music, the latest fashion, the latest gossip, the latest app. Their need to be in relationship is yet another marketable quantity. Our delicate task is not to decry everything new but to help them to see the wisdom in the words of our tradition: ‘our hearts are restless until they rest in you’ and ‘it is in giving that we receive’.

Have a great week!
Patrick

A woman named Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’ (Luke 10:38-42)

We live in a binary world, and not just because of the pervasive influence of the panoply of digital devices. Binary, also, in terms of ‘good’ and ‘bad’; ‘winners’ and ‘losers’. One reading of this story is that Mary has got it ‘right’ and Martha has it ‘wrong’. I suggest that Mary and Martha can be seen as two sides of the same coin i.e. of the necessity of contemplation and action. If we do not come to understand the need of contemplation and action by ourselves, life is likely to teach us.

Another facet of the world in which we live is its fast-paced nature. Young people imbibe this, frequently busy with many activities or just soaking up the information of our data-laden world. Thus we have a role to guide young people toward the balance of action with contemplation. Then their doing will flow from their being and will have more meaning.

Have a great week!
Patrick

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’. (Matt 5:10)

We can read this quote and it can seem so disconnected from us. We live in a time and place where faith is a personal matter unless you are a ‘lunatic’. It’s easy to ‘go with the flow’ and not ‘make waves’. Standing up for your beliefs can be treating others with respect. It can also take a more public form, regarding government policies. Standing up for your faith can have a polarising effect on others. Those that are not happy with your stand can make life difficult for you – in small ways or large.

Needing the approval of others, developmentally, young people may not wish to stand out. However, their sense of justice is strong. If we can appeal to that sense, we can guide them to discern their beliefs and they may choose to act to build justice and right relationships – which brings God’s kingdom closer.

Have a great week!
Patrick

For many years I have been inspired by the life of Oscar Romero, who lived the Gospel in the here-and-now:

In researching a unit of work so that my students might understand him better, I discovered a website that allows you to freely download a book of his writings entitled The Violence of Love. It is compelling and challenging reading. If you are interested, the link is here

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away. (Ps 139:1-2)

While this passage refers to God’s omniscience, it is also about being known. When I am known, I am in relationship and there is something comforting in that. There is also something about being known fully, in this way, that means I can’t dodge or fake my way though it. A true acceptance of myself should lead to sound love of self – not egotism. A true acceptance of myself treasures the good in me, while also acknowledging the ways that I still need to grow. While I am a human being, there is a sense in which I am also a ‘human becoming’.

That sense of human becoming is particularly true the young people in our care.We also have an important role in knowing them as well as we can. Encouraging them to strengthen their relationship with God, so that they might truly accept the good in themselves – now, that’s fulfilling – for them, and us!

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)

Compassion and love in the midst of pain and suffering. That, in itself, is worth emulating. Jesus’ behaviour also prompts each of us to be caring towards our mothers. This passage is also understood as the beginning of the Church. So it has been throughout the centuries: the Church is at its best when it is there to show Christ’s love and compassion to the world.

When the Church is there for those in need, it draws in more disciples, especially the young who wish to spend their lives in a worthwhile cause. May we each reflect Christ, showing compassion and love to those in need, who are the face of Christ.

Have a great week!
Patrick

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ (John 8:12)

The ceremonies of the Easter triduum take us from the light, to darkness and back to the light. On our life’s journey there are times of darkness that we live through or we may feel for those we know and love who are living through dark times. Easter teaches us that pain, suffering, and even death, do not have the last word. Beware the easy salve for raw pain, but if we have enough faith to follow Jesus’ way of living and loving, we will be lead into the light.

We have a responsibility to lead our young people past the ‘chocolate bunny veneer’ of Easter and show them that Christian faith is big enough to address the dark and harsh realities of life. Our Christian faith binds us together as a community, so we celebrate successes together and together we help those who stumble and fall, by shedding some light and love on their lives.

Have a great week…and term!
Patrick