THE GIFT OF TEARS

Tears can indicate a range of conditions: sorrow, repentance, remorse, self-pity, weakness or joy. Usually we find it unusual to see tears as a gift and as a feature of spiritual life. It is true that self-pity is a trap for, rather than a gift of spirituality. But tears can be God’s free gift for us, intended to enrich our spiritual experiences .  

“Repentance and the gift of tears are closely related, though there is an important distinction between the two. Repentance is an act wilfully chosen and assented to by us. While repentance demands our own personal consent and initiative, the gift of tears is a free gift from God … … [Many have seen] in the flowing waters of tears an image of the waters of baptism. By the waters of baptism, we are cleansed from sin and initiated into the life of communion with God, and, by the waters of our tears, we are purified ……  

There is nothing pathological in those who, while at prayer, find themselves floating in a bath of tears which, paradoxically, are the fruits of true sorrow for our sins while, at the same time, they are the source of profound joy. Nothing is more liberating than this gift of tears, this transforming gift from the Holy Spirit. Tears purify our nature, free us from our anguishes and passions, cleanse us from our corrupted ways, and introduce us to the divine realm where we can meet our Saviour, the Beloved of our hearts.  

Our Lord himself spoke of tears as a source of blessings when he said: “Blessed are you that weep now: for you shall laugh. (Luke 6:12)”                                                                                               TC

“As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling.”  

                                                        Pope Francis Speech, Manila, Philippines, January18, 2015

Not even Coronavirus can stop Jesus’ love for us and his readiness to be by our side. We published the following last year. May it also help this year as you follow Jesus in his passion through this Holy Week.

Monday  

More than thirty years he laboured  

In the finite course of time;  

Having come on earth to suffer,  

He desired this bitter hour. 

Lamb of God, In immolation,  

Hung for us upon the Cross.                                         

                                                  PANGE, LINGIA, GLORIOSI LAUREAM, VENANTES FORTUNATUS  

Tuesday 

 O Sacred Head, surrounded by crown of piercing thorn.  

O bleeding head so wounded, reviled and put to scorn.  

Our sins have marred the glory of thy most holy face  

Yet angel hosts adore thee, and tremble as they gaze.

                                                               BACH’S CHORALE FROM ST MATTHEW’S PASSION  

Wednesday  

Without beauty, without majesty, we saw him,  

A thing despised and rejected by men,  

A Man of Sorrows and familiar with suffering … 

 Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly,  

Like a lamb that is lead to the slaughterhouse,  

Like a sheep that is dumb before its shearers,                                                                                               

                                                               ISAIAH 53.2-3, 7  

Maundy Thursday 

Come, O you faithful  

With uplifted minds let us enjoy  

The hospitality of the Lord  

Attending the Banquet of Immortality  

Spread in the Upper Chamber 

                                                                BYZANTINE OFFICE, HOLY THURSDAY  

Good Friday  

Glory be to Jesus,  

Who in bitter pains  

Poured for me the lifeblood 

 From His sacred veins! 

                                                               FRIEDRICH FILITZ (1804-1876).  

Holy Saturday  

Come, Christians, join to sing Alleluia! Amen!  

Loud praise to Christ our King; Alleluia! Amen!  

Let all, with heart and voice,  

Before His throne rejoice; 

Praise is His gracious choice. Alleluia! Amen! 

                                                                CHRISTIAN HENRY BATEMAN (1813-1889)

I beg you, my Jesus, fill my lamp with your light.
By its light let me see the holiest of holy places, your own temple where you enter as the eternal High Priest of the eternal mysteries.
Let me see you, watch you, desire you.
Let me love you as I see you, and before you let my lamp always shine, always burn.
Beloved Saviour, show yourself to us who beg a glimpse of you.
Let us know you, let us love you, let us love only you, let us desire you alone, let us spend our days and nights meditating on you alone, let us always be thinking of you.
Fill us with love of you, let us love you with all the love that is your right as our God.
Let that love fill us and possess us, let it overwhelm our senses until we can love nothing but you, for you are eternal.
Give us that love that all the waters of the sea, the earth, the sky cannot extinguish: as it is written, love that no flood can quench, no torrents drown.
What is said in the Song of Songs can become true in us (at least in part) if you, our Lord Jesus Christ, give us that grace.
To you be glory for ever and for ever.
Amen.”                                                                      From the Instructions of St Columbanus

1. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only for the eternal;
2. Grant me the Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth;
3. Grant me the Spirit of Counsel, that I may always choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven;
4. Grant me the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation;
5. Grant me the Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow in holiness;
6. Grant me the Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and enjoyable, and
7. Grant me the Spirit of Fear of the Lord, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread displeasing Him in any way.

An old tale, often told as a joke, still apt for our age.

There was once a man whose faith in God, he believed, knew no bounds. He faced every challenge with “God will help me” or words to that effect. If that didn’t seem to work, he would say “God has something better for me.” As he grew old, he stuck doggedly to his convictions. Humble, he sought out meagre, low paid jobs. Once, a friendly neighbour explained how he could claim for benefits to supplement his income. He was told “God will look after me.” And that was that. He had a little money left him by his parents. When that ran out, he could not pay his rent. He was evicted and lived on the street. He declined offers at the Food Bank, shelter for the homeless and advice from his GP. Found in rags and suffering from starvation and hypothermia, he was taken to hospital and later a psychiatric unit. He left and was found later on wasteland. He was not missed. Most who tried to help him despaired of him: some blamed his religious obsession; others cursed those who had trained him to believe in this god. Some found their faith weakened and became indifferent. Others gave up their faith altogether, refusing to follow a cruel God.

Now he stood before God, who said “Tell me, my child, Were you starving, thirsty, homeless, sick and constrained by others?” “Yes, Lord,” he replied, “but I always put my faith in you.” “And was there always someone willing to help you?” “There was – but my faith was in You, Lord.” “And is it true that you made many people hate me? Abuse Me? Deny Me?” “Oh no, no, no. Never! Not me!!”

“But you did, my son.” Every time you needed Me, I sent help and you refused it. Every time you refused it, you turned another away from Me” God said. “Was not My Son’s sacrifice enough for you. Did you want me to appear before you? Yours was not faith, but selfish arrogance! But”, said God, “You are My child. I love you, despite your sins. Wake now and learn to truly trust me so that others will learn to love Me.”

He woke from his coma and spent his life following God’s will, not his own.                    TC

“My Jesus, 

I believe that you are present in this Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things and I passionately desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come spiritually into my soul so that I may unite myself wholly to you now and forever. Amen.”

Your loving care

Lord Jesus, when you walked with us on earth you spread your healing power.

We place in your loving care all who are affected by Coronavirus. 

Keep us strong in faith, hope and love. 

Bring relief to our sick, console our bereaved, protect those who care for us.

We lift our prayer to you Lord, and trust in your infinite mercy, as we wait for the daybreak.

Amen

                                                                          Source: CAFOD

Infinite power and love

Lord God, we entrust to you the families and communities affected by Coronavirus, wherever they may be.

We pray especially for health care workers, that you may guide and protect them.

We pray that your Spirit might inspire those researching new medicines and treatments.

And in the midst of this, keep us strong in faith, hope and love.

Grant us the courage and perseverance to be good neighbours.

May the words of your Son Jesus Christ in the Our Father, be our prayer as we entrust ourselves and all of us who are affected to your infinite power and love.   Amen.

Almighty and merciful Father, who shows your love to all your creation,

We come before you asking for a speedy control of the Coronavirus currently ravaging our world.  

Hear graciously the prayers we make for those affected by the virus in various parts of the world.  Grant healing to the sick, eternal life to the dead and consolation to the bereaved families.  

We pray that an effective medicine to combat the sickness be quickly found.

We pray for the governments and health authorities that they take appropriate steps for the good of the people.

Look upon us in your mercy and forgive us our failings. Amen.

For more CAFOD Prayers, go to https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Prayer-resources

Have you opened a new location, redesigned your shop, or added a new product or service? Don't keep it to yourself, let folks know.

Wondrous God, author of life, you fashioned us in your likeness and breathed into us the life which is
your own.

Be with those whose special care is the health of mind and body and whose need is for loving treatment.

Fill their hearts with awe for the life which is your gift and sustain them daily in your service, that their hands may bring to others the comfort of your healing touch. Through Christ our Lord.       Amen.

“The way to God is an inner journey, inspired in the deepest recesses of our being by the Holy Spirit. This journey takes into account the place of both the mind and the heart in our spiritual life. Synchronising our minds and our hearts allows us to unite these two aspects of our being into one in our search for God. If we seek God daily, with our heart and mind prayerfully attuned as one, we will receive eventually the gift of an inner light that will show God’s presence in our innermost being. The eyes of our heart and mind will become clearer, purified and ready to gaze on the light that shines from God’s countenance, as it once did for the three apostles on Mount Tabor during the Lord’s glorious Transfiguration.  

“Once the Lord bestows the mysterious light of his presence on us, we must do everything on our part to keep him with us. … [We] need to apply ourselves constantly to the remembrance of God, not only during times of prayer, but throughout the day’s activities. If we show undying devotion to God at all times and keep our inner eyes fixed on his presence, we can be sure he will remain faithful to his promise:  

I am with you always, to the end of the age.      (Mt. 28:20)”   

                                          Blessings of the Daily • Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourrette 

Prayer:  

Lord Jesus, may everything I do begin with You, continue with Your help, and be done under Your guidance.  

May I grow in Your Love and Your service, and become a pleasing offering to You; and with You to Our Father.                                                                              TC

“Gorblimey!!” “OMG!” “God almighty!” “Good God!” “That was God-awful!” “Goddamit!” “For God’s sake!”  

These are some of the expressions or exclamations that invoke the name of God and are widely used. Similarly, there are common interjections which invoke the names of Jesus and Christ, together or separately. But do people understand their meaning? How many realise that by saying “Gorblimey!” they are wishing God to blind them unless such and such happens? “OMG” is a lazy way of saying “Oh my God!” but if God is listening what is he intended to hear?  

Of course, all these expressions used nowadays to express a real or pretended emotional state, rather than being an address to our Creator. Do they matter?  

It is unlikely that, in our daily prayers or chats with God, we would use this sort of language. Our respect for God is such that we would avoid expressing joy, anger, frustration, and so on with language that is regarded as impious, offensive or meaningless. If that is how we respect God, then why do we not show the same respect to our brothers and sisters, the people we work with, members of our family, people we just don’t like and people who have hurt us? Pope Francis gives us clues about what to do:  

“Human dignity is the same for all human beings: when I trample on the dignity of another, I am trampling on my own.” 

“I ask everyone … to remember two things: human dignity and the common good.”  

When we use the language of abuse, we abuse ourselves: when we use language that has little meaning, we become meaningless. Disrespect others and we treat ourselves as nobodies. We should, as much as we can, aim for cordiality and good outcomes from our contacts with others – especially in these times when stress and anxiety are widespread and practicing Jesus’ ability to calm people is paramount. He is not physically present. So that job is down to us!  

May God bless us all with the capacity to talk with sincerity and kindness, no matter what the provocation to speak otherwise.                                                                       TC

By the time you read this, we will be in lockdown again. Your world may seem to have shrunk and the stresses of domestic life may be increasing. Fortunately, we are blessed to live in glorious landscapes and have the opportunity (and freedom) to explore them along the numerous paths near our homes. Autumn now has dressed the trees in gold, and bronze and laid soft carpets of leaves. Even a short walk in such beauty can be uplifting. We are encouraged to exercise and do anything that engages mind and body in positive ways. There are also traps for the unwary. Pretty though the leaves may be, underneath lurk roots and other hazards ready to catch the negligent foot and literally bring us down to earth. A twisted ankle or sore knee somehow removes the wood’s attraction.  

There are similar though less obvious traps in the underground of lockdown. I don’t mean hazards such as tripping on the carpet edge and spilling a cup of tea. I mean the emotional and spiritual pitfalls than can arise out of stress, irritation, anger or depression. These can give rise to sharp tongues, unnecessary blaming, arguments, rows, sullen or obstructive behaviour, selfishness and separation.  

In the continuing battle between good and evil these are the tactic the Devil uses to undermine and wreck our spiritual wellbeing. Using exercises etc can also become an escape route from stress – but it will not work, unless we address the most important area of our lives nurturing the spirit and pursuing our aim in becoming saints. It happens like this: when a saint takes a walk, the surrounding beauty can inspire the believer to rejoice in God the Creator. When a saint takes exercise, it can bring home God’s love in giving us strength to do his work. When a saint watches TV it can bring out questions to put to God though prayer. In fact, prayer seeps into everything a saint does, starting with the activity that sets this process working – accepting in humility that we are sinners and need Christ’s forgiveness and help. As Catholic we strive to become saints. Let us use the opportunities lockdown presents to progress further to this our goal.                                                  TC

Seek the Lord while he is still to be found,  

call to him while he is still near.  

Let the wicked man abandon his way,  

the evil man his thoughts.  

Let him turn back to the Lord who will take pity on him,  

to our God who is rich in forgiving;  

for my thoughts are not your thoughts,  

my ways not your ways– it is the Lord who speaks.  

Yes, the heavens are as high above earth  

as my ways are above your ways,  

my thoughts above your thoughts.

                                                         Isaiah 55:6-9  

Besides being a word far too big for breakfast, anthropomorphism has been invented to express our understanding of things non-human. We use it in many ways to attribute human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. For example, I have a neighbour who does this in relation to her dog, who has hands, not paws. There may be times when you treat your computer as human, for example, by raging at it when something goes wrong. Even more common is to treat your car as if it were human, asking it to go faster, shouting at it when it breaks down, and so on.  

It is so common, that it is too easy to use it in thinking about and talking to God.  

In the passage from Isaiah quoted above, God firmly and lovingly reminds us that it doesn’t work, if we rely on our image of Him. “My ways not your ways” is a straightforward way of saying “Take care. I’m not to be treated exactly as if I am like you.” We cannot fully understand God (or ourselves for that matter!). This means that we should take great care, for example, in making judgements, especially about other people and their behaviour and motives. It’s best left to God to judge the worth of people.  

This is not to say that we can know nothing about God. What we know and understand comes from Him. To acquire such leaning means we have to be able to listen to Him.   

More on this next week,                        TC

From the day of his election, Pope Francis – in words and action - has been leading and teaching us that being Christian – i.e. a follower of Christ – means living a simple life.  

But how do we do that?  

This poem makes some suggestions.  

Put lights out when they’re not in use.  

When idle, switch off everything that feeds on electricity. 

Wash your hands, escape the virus,  

But do you need two baths a day? 

Eat simply: food fashionistas can be avoided - fetishists of rare meats, plants, strange crustaceans.  

Eat modestly and sparingly. 

Evolution might have followed different routes so these crabs could be eating you!  

Do good for friends and neighbours,  

Seek what enriches their lives and yours will be enhanced.  

Switch on the lights – of courtesy. kindness, good will and forbearance.  

Let humility be a torch to fire other’s love of living at peace with the integrity of this clean, plain life. 

Feed on love and fill life’s basket with simple gifts of love friends provide to help your quest for simply living simply.                                                                                        TC

It seems that the government is willing to allow places of worship to open for “private prayer”. it also seems reluctant to indicate when this may be extended to allow services, such as Mass, to be celebrated. The opportunity to be back in church, even for ‘private’ prayer, will be welcomed by many, especially Catholics. However, prayer can be made in almost any context you can think of, not just in a church. One wonders if the government understands that churches, by definition, are places for people to congregate, to come together in friendship to celebrate their faith as a community, not just as random individuals who happen to share the same space. As a place, a church comes to life when a congregation has gathered there and shares in worship.   

‘Private’ prayer is somewhat different. It is individuals talking with God, whether in praise, supplication or thanksgiving, or even, as a friend of mine used to say “having a bit of a craic with Jesus.”   There are some things to remember when you are saying a private prayer.   

Privacy is about being somewhere where you can relax and concentrate. You need not be alone, but you must be assured you’ll not be distracted by others. You also need to be somewhere where you can be comfortable.   

Prayer is not a competition. You don’t have to say it in a given time. It is more like floating on water than paddling stridently to get somewhere. Prayer is more “Letting Go’ than “Holding On”. It is important to pray at a pace that helps you focus on the meaning of what you are saying. There is a risk with certain repetitive prayers, such as litanies or the Rosary, that you get to a stage when the repetition speeds up and what you offer to God is an unthinking gabble, rather than a thoughtful word. It is better to take fifteen minutes to say the Lord’s Prayer thoughtfully, than to rush through it in three minutes.   

Do try not to say too many prayers. That too can lead to loss of concentration. Finally, very often you will find that the best prayer is silence. Give God a chance to talk to you. Even if you don’t hear anything there and then, the message will come through eventually. And the sound of silence can be a most spiritually uplifting experience when you pray.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                            TC

In the early days of the current pandemic, cooperation and ‘good neighbourliness’ were everywhere. Being aware of vulnerable people was offered as proof of the nation “getting together”. All-in-all it seemed that goodwill and optimism would see the country through.  

The climate has now changed. There are many reasons for this. All have conspired to create an atmosphere in which it is easier to complain, carp or bicker than to be positive. None of this helps morale, and, as Pope Francis pointed out several years ago, it can be terribly damaging.  

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You know, words can kill. When I speak, when I make an unfair criticism, when I “flay” a brother with my tongue, this is killing another person’s reputation! 

                                                      Pope Francis: Angelus Address, St Peter’s Square, September 7, 2014

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Here we face a new risk – either to drift into apathy or into violence and sheer fear for the future. We have to face up to this, as Christians and as people committed to fostering Justice and Peace. Prayer is crucial: so is listening to God, in the light and dark corners of our souls. And it is as children of God that we can do this by everyday listening for God’s message, in what we hear, who we meet and what we do. We should try to learn how to hold a conversation with God throughout the day.  

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Every day we must let Christ transform us and conform us to him.

                                                        Pope Francis: General Audience, St Peter’s Square, April 10, 2013.

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This is not about grandiose words, but those small gestures that build toward love of God and spiritual health, because they are the practicalities of following Jesus: e.g. supporting a CAFOD campaign, praying for the vulnerable; helping food bank collections; calling that relative you had a row with to seek peace and reconciliation – the list is long, the opportunities a multitude, the Holy Spirit’s grace abundant-AND THERE ARE NO EXCUSES.                                                                                                           

                                                                                                              TC

‘In this Sunday’s Gospel Reading, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well and chooses to engage with her in conversation, trying to help her understand who he is: “Everyone who drinks this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water I shall give him will never thirst: the water I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. [John 4:13-14]

St Paul in the second reading reminds us that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to is.” and “God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” [Romans. 5:5-8]

Today can I take time to be alert to listen to God’s voice of love in conversation with him and
with people around me?
                                                                                     Reflections for Lent, Cardinal Hume Centre 2020

“Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to
help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is
real without this dimension of penance. I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt.”
                                                                                    Pope Francis

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves
us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us
entirely. … He loves us completely, even though those who are flawed, rejected, awkward,
sorrowful or broken.”
                                                                                     Dieter F Uchtdorf

‘Today’s Gospel reading tells how Jesus heals a blind man. [John 9:1-38]

St Paul in the second reading [Ephesians 5:8-14] instructs us to “walk as children of thelight” to “try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful worksof darkness, but instead expose them.” And in the first reading, the Lord says to theprophet Samuel who Is looking to anoint a new king that the Lord God looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance. [1 Samuel 16: 6-7].

What blindness might I want the Lord to help me overcome this Lent? Am I blinded by some bitterness of heart, lack of forgiveness, pride, legalism, perfectionism or irrational fear?

“During this Lent, then, brothers and sisters, let us all ask the Lord: ‘Fac cor nostrum secundum cor tuum’: Make our hearts like yours (Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus). In this way we will receive a heart which is firm and merciful, attentive and generous, a heart which is not closed, indifferent or prey to the globalization of indifference.”
                                                                Reflections for Lent, Cardinal Hume Centre 2020

“Do not let the past disturb you, just leave everything in the Sacred Heart and begin
again with joy. “
                                                                St. Teresa of Calcutta

“On the last Sunday before Holy Week, our Gospel reading is Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. [John 11:1-45]. “Now Jesus loved Martha and Mary, her sister, and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” This is curious. How can Jesus love Mary, Martha and Lazarus and yet still choose to delay healing Lazarus? Jesus’ followers had already seen him raise Jairus’ daughter who had just died. [Matthew 9], they had seen him raise the
widow of Nain’s son [Luke 7] who had been dead for an even longer time, and we will now see him raise Lazarus.

Jesus deliberately waits to help us see that he “is the resurrection and the life”. This is not only about the afterlife as he explains to Martha but new life begins now. If I want this, can I tell God where I need him to bring me his life?
                                                    Reflections for Lent, Cardinal Hume Centre 2020

“Lent is a favourable time for letting Christ serve us so that we in turn may become more like him.  This happens whenever we hear the word of God…”
                                                     Pope Francis

“As the Lord makes his solemn entrance into Jerusalem, we too enter into that special time, Passiontide. It is the final destination of our Lenten pilgrimage. By reliving each event of the Saviour’s last week before his death, we become participants in those very events. The Offices of Holy Week are a great aid to us in following the sequence of Jesus’ last days, step by step, unto his cruel last hours. They portray how Christ honestly accomplished his redemptive work. By unfolding before our eyes the mysteries of Christ’s suffering, death and Resurrection, in all its historical details, the liturgy allows us to witness to the supreme act of God’s love. It is a love that has no equal.” 

                                                            Blessings of the Daily, Brother Victor-Antione d’Avola-Latourrette

Why not follow Jesus each day by joining Fr Luke in his broadcast of the daily Mass? You can find it at www.facebook.com/bmrcparish/live  See Parish Calendar for details of times of Mass.

You can also find the Gospel readings for each day of Holy Week as follows:

• Palm Sunday: Matthew 21:1-11
• Monday: John 12: 1-11
• Tuesday: John 13:21-33,36-38 
• Wednesday: Matthew 26: 14-25 
• Maundy Thursday: John 13: 1-15
• Good Friday: John 18: -19: 42 
• Holy Saturday: Matthew 28: -10

This is still for some, the lambing season. For Christians, the presence of a new baby lamb is an intimation of another lamb. 

Jesus the Lamb of God, offered himself in sacrifice to the Father at the exact time of the Jewish Passover, at the very moment that paschal lambs were being killed for sacrifice in the Temple. 

The Lord’s self-sacrifice was accomplished out of that incomprehensible love he had for us, so that he might “take away the sins of many and bring salvation” to those who eagerly await him. 

Prayer 

O long-suffering Lord, who accepted death for our sake, glory to you! 

May we walk by your side and bear witness to your love for all mankind. 

Amen 

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: 

to loose the chains of injustice 

and untie the cords that imprison unfairly, 

to set the oppressed free 

and break every yoke? 

Is it not to share your food with the hungry 

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— 

when you see the naked, to clothe him, 

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, 

and your healing will quickly appear; 

then your righteousness will go before you, 

and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; 

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here I am. 

                             Isaiah 58:6–9 (NIV) 

“Too often we become enemies of others: we do not wish them well. And Jesus tells us to love our enemies! And this is not easy! Let me just answer this question and let each of us answer it in our own heart: ‘Do I pray for my enemies? Do I pray for those who do not love me?’ If we say ‘yes’ I will say ‘Go on, pray more, you are on right path.” 

                                 Pope Francis - Vatican Radio 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

                                 Romans 12:17-18 

Reconciliation is not an end in itself. St Teresa of Avila summed up beautifully why we need to cleanse our souls in readiness for Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension. 

CHRIST HAS NO BODY 

Christ has no body but yours, 

No hands, no feet on earth but yours, 

Yours are the eyes with which he looks 

compassion on this world, 

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, 

Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. 

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, 

Yours are the eyes, you are his body. 

Christ has no body now but yours, 

No hands, no feet on earth but yours, 

Yours are the eyes with which he looks 

compassion on this world. 

Christ has no body now on earth but yours. 

Charity ... 

is more than giving money. It is stretching out to those in need with Christian love: 

“If you break the chains of oppression; 

if you set the pris’ners free; 

if you share your bread with the hungry; 

give protection to the lost; 

give a shelter to the homeless; 

clothe the naked in your midst; 

then your light shall break forth like the dawn.” 

Marty Haugen ‘Return to God’ 

The Holy Humility of Christ 

The ‘Kenosis’ icon reminds us of the trial and death of Christ and his patient endurance throughout. These are not the sufferings of an ordinary man. They are endured by the Son, in whose person the divine and the human co-exist. Christ’s humility in accepting suffering is a lesson and model for us all. 

The icon (see below) is the focus of “The Bridegroom” service celebrated in churches of the Byzantine tradition in Holy Week. The stanzas of the Bridegroom hymn are beautiful and expressive, especially when sung. Here are some in loose translation: 

O Bridegroom, more beautiful than all men, 

Called to your kingdom’s spiritual feast, 

We need your flawless wedding garments, 

So that clothed in all your beauty’s raiments 

We may come into your bridal chamber, 

Shining as your guests with glory and joy. 

Let us love the Bridegroom, ready our lamps. 

Let virtue’s radiance and faith’s depth shine, 

And thus, wise virgins, let us come with Christ 

To the wedding feast and receive from God 

The incorruptible garment and crown. 

(for more go to http://standrewgoc.org/hom

"Nor do I condemn you. You may go." (John 8:11) 

Forgiveness, in its truest and highest form, is a free act of love. But precisely because it is an act of love, it has its own intrinsic demands: the first of which is: ”God alone is absolute truth. But He made the human heart open to the desire for truth, which He then fully revealed in His Incarnate Son. ...”. Pope John Paul II 

Christians must let go of resentments and forgive those who have wronged them so that they may experience God’s forgiveness, Pope Francis has said. 

This can be particularly difficult when “we carry with us a list of things that have been done to us,” the pope said in his homily on March 6th at morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae. 

“God’s forgiveness is felt strongly within us as long as we forgive others. And this isn’t easy because grudges make a nest in our heart and there is always that bitterness,” he said. 

Prayer 

Lord Jesus 

In your mercy heal us; 

In your love and tenderness, remake us; 

In your compassion, bring grace and forgiveness; 

For the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us. 

                                          TC

There are many myths about the origins of the snowdrop.  Among these is the story of Eve, who was distraught after God had expelled her and Adam from the Garden. As Eve sat weeping, an angel appeared to comfort her. The angel caught a snowflake and breathed upon it. The snowflake fluttered to the earth and gave birth to the snowdrop. Thus did this delicate bloom come to symbolize hope and rebirth. 

Snowdrops bloom in late winter and so it is no wonder that they are regarded as indicators of forthcoming Spring and better weather. They also have a special meaning for Christians. They bloom before or at the beginning of Lent, the season in which we remember Christ’s sacrifice to redeem us, and when we anticipate the glory of Easter and the Resurrection. It is perfectly proper then that we rejoice in the blossoming of snowdrops, for they give us hope, reassure us of rebirth and provide consolation as we recall our Saviour’s suffering. 

                                                         TC 

“Christmas reminds us that God continues to love us all, even the worst of us. To me, to 

you, to each of us, he says today: “I love you and I will always love you, for you are precious 

in my eyes”.

God does not love you because you think and act the right way. He loves you, plain and 

simple. His love is unconditional; it does not depend on you. You may have mistaken ideas, 

you may have made a complete mess of things, but the Lord continues to love you. How 

often do we think that God is good if we are good and punishes us if we are bad. Yet that 

is not how he is. For all our sins, he continues to love us. His love does not change. It is not 

fickle; it is faithful. It is patient. This is the gift we find at Christmas. We discover to our 

amazement that the Lord is absolute gratuity, absolute tender love. His glory does not 

overwhelm us; his presence does not terrify us. He is born in utter poverty in order to win 

our hearts by the wealth of his love.

But what is this grace? It is divine love, the love that changes lives, renews history, liberates 

from evil, fills hearts with peace and joy. Tonight the love of God has been revealed to us: 

it is Jesus. In Jesus, the Most High made himself tiny, so that we might love him.”

                                            Pope Francis Midnight Mass Homily 24 December 2019

Past, the Past, no more be seen!

But the Bethlehem-star may lead me

To the sight of Him Who freed me

From the self that I have been.

Make me pure, Lord: Thou art holy;

Make me meek, Lord: Thou wert lowly;

Now beginning, and alway:

Now begin, on Christmas day.

                            Gerard Manley Hopkins

This was the moment when Before

Turned into After, and the future’s

Uninvented timekeepers presented arms.

This was the moment when nothing

Happened. Only dull peace

Sprawled boringly over the earth.

This was the moment when even energetic Romans

Could find nothing better to do

Than counting heads in remote provinces.

And this was the moment

When a few farm workers and three

Members of an obscure Persian sect

Walked haphazard by starlight straight

Into the kingdom of heaven.

                                              U A Fanthorpe

The other day I was in a shop that sells kitchen equipment. In one corner four shelves were stacked with different brands and varieties of electric toasters, over twenty in all. Prices varied widely from £27 to £158. When I saw the latter price, I asked myself, “Why would anyone pay that amount just to burn or singe bread? Or perhaps the retailer thinks it might be bought as a Christmas present.”

This is the time of year when we are tempted (or pressured) to be extravagant in getting gifts for family and friends to celebrate Christmas. But why do we do it? We know that some gifts are bought out of a sense of duty. “We must buy Aunt Maud something, or she would be terribly upset.” Giving someone something unnecessarily expensive may come across only as a boast about how wealthy you are. However most gifts are bought and given to celebrate our affection and love for others. But what does this mean?

Giving things to people always carries a symbolic meaning. So, do we give to others in order to tell them that we want a gift in return? Or do we give not expecting or asking for a return, but simply because we love them? If it is the first of these, then we are not giving, but engaging in a form of trading. If it is the latter then we are imitating what God does for us, His love is universal and eternal – it is everywhere and always there. And this, I think, is how we should approach Christmas shopping – finding gifts that will express our love (not our wealth) for those to whom we send. them. The greatest gift we can give others, of course, is our love as parents, siblings, friends or even enemies. That can take the form of physical objects or prayers on their behalf or time spent with them, and so on. A device for burning bread is not the only way of showing you care, whatever the cost.

                                   TC

A babe wandering the world’s wilderness 

whose horrors seek to overwhelm and crush 

your spirit, you cry out in a voice that’s ageless 

for counsel to escape evil’s ambush.

What is good has been explained to you, child; 

this is what the Lord asks of you: only this,
to act justly, love tenderly, be mild,
accepting, ready to receive his kiss

as you humbly walk each day with your God:
a life at odds with itself, discomfort
joined with true peace, the normal with the odd, 

easeful hardship, love and terror’s concert.

          The world wants martyrs for the gods above: 

           God asks only that we return his love.

                                                    Tom Caple April 2019

                                                    Drawn from Micah 6

Peace is the goal of most people and all nations. What that means, of course, differs widely from one person, one community, one nation, from another. As we approach another Remembrance Day, it is worth reflecting on what we Catholics mean by it. Catholic Social Teaching views peace as having two dimensions: being at peace with God and being at peace with others, especially between nations.

“Peace I leave with you, my own peace I give you; a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27)

“Peace with God is God’s gift to us. God alone can place us in right relationship with him. This teaching is clear in both the old and the new testaments. God initiated the covenant with man, restored it when we fell, and fulfilled it in Jesus Christ....

As Christians, we know that god dwells in us making us temples of the holy spirit (cf. 1 Cor. 6:19). He promised us that he would provide for all our needs (cf. Matt. 6:26-34) and that “all things would work together for good for those that love god and are called according to his purposes” (Rom. 8:28). We are told that without him we can do nothing (John 15:5), but that, in him, we are “more than conquerors” (Rom. 8:37).’(Mgr Stewart Swetland A Primer of Peace 2007) Because this is God’s gift, we should do everything we can to protect and sustain it. However, we know too well how easy it is to divert ourselves from being at peace with God because of:

• The troubles of life and the fear of being without;
• Others’ faults and shortcomings;
• Our own faults and shortcomings.
• The fear of suffering.

Next week we will look at the tools God gives us to overcome these difficulties and maintainour peace with Him.

                                                               TC

We saw last week how Peace begins with peace between God and Humanity. If you are a believer, how else can you have a positive relationship with your Creator?  Belief in God and in God’s peace freely offered to us is the bedrock on which we can build peaceful relations between people and nations. We have seen that for each of us there are issues that can divert us from the search for peace with God and, therefore, with others. They are: -life’s troubles and fear of being without; our and others’ faults and shortcomings; and fear of suffering. 

So, how do we deal with them? 

Jesus did not leave us bereft of resources. One of His great gifts was the Beatitudes. They are much, much more than a set of suggestions or guidelines – they, together with the Ten Commandments, constitute a programme of actions to take to be at peace with God and, making them the centre of our way of living, the basis for being at peace with others around us. If you want  to  know  what  peace  and  justice  is,  it  is  the beatitudes working together, and in concert with the Commandments, summed up in the following: 

“The love we get from God is what we must 

give others - that means giving all we are,” 

their dying mother whispered. “The dry dust 

we are springs to life in others justly loved.” 

     Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for 

     justice, for they shall have their fill and more.” 

                                                                                 From ‘Justice’ Tom Caple

“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. A time to be born ... A time to plant ... A time to uproot what has been planted.

                                 ECCLESIASTES 3:3-2

“Working in the garden in these last days of October is indeed an endless source of satisfaction. One season is dying, yet we are already looking ahead by making preparations for the next spring. This is the same in our life of communion with God. Though this communion is realized in the present moment, in the daily of our lives, it looks ahead to the designs God has for each of us, to his promise of eternal life. After the long winter of our lives achieves its completion, we can look forward to the endless spring feast, the Lord’s eternal day.”

                                 Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourette • Blessings of the daily

“Peace I leave with you, my own peace I give you; a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27) 

We are all familiar with Red Poppies, made by the Royal British Legion to commemorate British military victims of war and those who fought alongside them, and to acknowledge civilian victims. 

You may be less familiar with White Poppies. They have been worn for almost 80 years and have three elements: remembrance for ALL victims of war; a commitment to peace; and challenge to attempts to glamorise war. 

My father and I never met. He was killed in the War six months before I was born. His death was neither glamourous nor heroic, just messy and painful. So, I have always worn a red poppy to remember his sacrifice. 

Equally, I know that people of different communities, nations, religions, age, etc. have died and continue to do so because of war and its consequences. So I support all attempts to end war, and bring about lasting peace. That’s why I wear a White Poppy. 

Both types of Poppy are about respect and remembrance. That’s why I support wearing both. 

                                                                                 TC

That time of year thou mayst in me behold

When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang

Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,

Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.

In me thou see'st the twilight of such day

As after sunset fadeth in the west.

Which by and by black night doth take away, 

Death's second self, that seals up all in rest.

In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed whereon it must expire, 

Consum'd with that which it was nourish'd by. 

This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong,

To love that well which thou must leave ere long.

                                               William Shakespeare

The Bible cites many instances to show that God watches out for his people. In Exodus, God promises to send a messenger, an angel, to act as a guide. “I am going to send an angel in front of you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.” (Exodus 23: 20-22) In Genesis, angels escorted Lot out of Sodom. An angel finds food for Elijah in the desert, and in Matthew’s Gospel we are told that angels ministered to Jesus in the desert. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that an angel released Peter from prison. 

Belief in Angels and specifically guardian angels who are assigned to guard the souls of individuals is ancient. I remember when I was a child being instructed about my guardian angel. I can’t say I have been very attentive said for some time to what he has, until I came across a quote from Pope Francis: 

“Ask yourself this question today: How is my relationship with my guardian angel? Do I listen to him? Do I say good morning to him in the morning? Do I ask him: Watch over me when I sleep?’ Do I speak with him? Do I ask his advice? He is by my side. We can answer this question today, each of us: how is our relationship with this angel that the Lord has sent to watch over me and accompany me on my journey, and who always sees the face of the Father who is in heaven. 

“The angel is the daily door toward transcendence, to the encounter with the Father, the angel helps me walk along the path because he looks at the Father who knows the way. Let us not forget this traveling companion.” 

                                                                                  Pope Francis 2015 

“As we journey along the pleasant and sometimes unpleasant rhythms of the seasons, we become more and more aware of the immutable wisdom of the seasons, and their Creator. We become more attentive to the question of living in harmony with nature’s cycles, of looking deep into the seasons which shape our daily lives. From them we glean inspiration and inner sustenance. 

“Ultimately, our lives become fully integrated only when we accept the guidance of God and harmonise with the cycles of nature, the cycles of the heart, the cycles of the liturgy and the cycles of life and death……………. 

“…. I gaze at the tapestry of beauty around me and delight in the sunlight shining in the trees. The air is crystal clear, and there is nothing finer than breathing it deeply. As I rejoice at the lovely sight of our trees, standing tall in regal colours, I drink deeply from the sweetly scented seasonal air. I thank God for the gift of life, for the fact that he brought me here to this place, to this point in time, where I can marvel at the wonders of his creation. It gives complete satisfaction to the heart.” 

                        From Blessings of the Daily•Brother Victor-Antione d’Avila-Latourette 

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

2. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. 

3. Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. 

4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. 

5. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 

6. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. 

7. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 

8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Some (mercifully few) people look on the poor with disdain as if poverty is their fault. Most of us have some sympathy for those who find it difficult to meet their needs for whatever reason. So, when Jesus talks about the “poor in spirit”, and urges us to seek it, what exactly does he mean? 

Simply this: we must be humble in our spiritual life. “Humble” has some negative meanings these days, thanks to Charles Dickens and his creation, Uriah Heap, a swivel-eyed, leering hypocrite who proclaims frequently that ‘I’m very ‘umble’. Fortunately Uriah is not the role model for what Jesus meant. 

“Humble” emerged in English 800 years ago and meant “submissive, respectful, lowly in manner, modest, not self-asserting, obedient." So, to be “poor in spirit” is to acknowledge in modesty our spiritual poverty and sinfulness and – this is where humility is essential – our need for salvation, for Jesus’ saving love, if we are to overcome our spiritual poverty and move onwards in our spiritual journey. 

There are both negative and positive consequences of this acknowledgement. On the one hand we must not be self-satisfied or proud, acting as if we don’t really need God, because we are good enough. On the other hand, we must put self-interest aside and focus on God’s gift of love to us, sharing it with all who are part of our lives. This means trusting Him to protect us and give us the Holy Spirit’s gift of discernment that enables us to sense what he asks, and to use our talents in His service, 

Like everything that Jesus asks of us, when we put our self-interest to one side, it is all quite – Simple!! 

                                                               TC 

Meekness ≠ Weakness 

“We have every reason to be meek. We did not bring ourselves into existence. Every good we have is a gift ..… We cannot prevent our own deaths. We cannot raise ourselves from the dead and give ourselves the gift of eternal life with God. But God can.”                       Kevin Aldrich • Catholic Stand • May 2014 

Of all the Beatitudes, the one calling for meekness might seem the most puzzling. Isn’t it the strong and most forceful who conquer lands and acquire power? From our Catholic perspective meekness means making choices: choosing to embrace humility, to put aside arrogance, and to be kind and open to others. These are not the actions of the weak and naïve! To make and stay with these choices, you have to have courage, strength and stamina. 

Across the Church there are priests, religious, catechists, teachers, ministers, parents and young people who strive to live Catholic virtues and who do so in a meek and humble fashion. Their gentleness of heart and spirit shows that, in their own way, they are claiming their inheritance by the power of love, compassion, mercy, and understanding: - the outward signs of meekness. 

How do we become meek? We must throw away anger. Meekness is the opponent of anger. Therefore, we return love for hatred and blessings and prayers for curses. One thing we do not do is violently impose our faith on others. The early Church conquered the Roman Empire through non-violent means and we will re-evangelize our society in the same way. 

So Meekness is chiefly about the virtue of hope. We trust that God will keep his promises to us: to give us eternal life.       

                                                      TC 

In the last two weeks we have reflected on humility and meekness. This week we look at one of the most difficult of life’s experiences – grieving and comforting those who mourn. 

It seems a bit odd that the mournful can be called ‘blessed’. We all understand how painful grief can be, whatever the loss – and it doesn’t feel like being blessed. Indeed, it can feel like a punishment. But this beatitude refer to a special kind of mourning that is, in fact the antidote to grieving. 

If we love God, we will love all those who belong to God, that is, everyone. God’s incomprehensible love is given to every human being without exception. 

When we truly love others, their happiness becomes ours. Even so, we may find them in pain, suffering and struggling to be happy. Because we love them, their suffering also becomes ours. We mourn for and with them. It is impossible to remain indifferent to the sufferings of others, once we have discovered and recognised God’s love. It is the sins of human beings, the cold indifference of others towards God and our neighbour that fills us with sorrow. 

God’s love is there for all who grieve. We can be a channel of God’s love for those who mourn, by sharing their grief. 

Through this sharing, both become blessed. 

                                                         TC 

Source: The Beatitudes: A Concise Summary Deacon Douglas McManaman • catholiceducation.org 

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.” 1 John 3.1-2 

Those who heard the fourth Beatitude would recognise immediately the terms He used. At the time Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, hunger and thirst were quite common. However, Jesus did not intend his words to be taken literally. He is pointing to what John (above) says: that God’s love is so great that he gave his Son in sacrifice to save us. Through this act of love our identity as children of God is confirmed. 

The foundation of love is justice and moral perfection. This makes sense. To pursue justice is not to obey passively God’s law, but also to act: - to achieve, sustain and promote brotherly love of Jesus. In other words, following this beatitude means committing ourselves to establishing and maintaining the right (just and loving) relationship between ourselves, God and the people we live and work with. 

So, why ‘hunger’? Hunger is a sign of life. We become spiritually alive when we hunger to love others for their sakes, not as snack food to meet our needs. Jesus says those who have this hunger will find their appetites filled. This makes it easier to see the wrongs about us and to want to do battle to fix them. We cannot do this relying on our own strengths, but, as with the first three Beatitudes, by abandoning our self-interest to allow Jesus to work within us. 

“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 

                                                           TC 

What is Mercy? 

Mercy is the unmerited act of kindness to someone in need. It is kind to do something good for another. This may be giving some water to someone who is parched or giving all one has to people who have nothing. 

It is unmerited because it is not something the recipient has ‘earned’. It is a just act to reward employees for doing their jobs not an act of mercy! Contributing to the second collections in church are acts of mercy because they invite you to make an unmerited act of kindness for people in need. 

Being merciful is not just about giving money. It is, more importantly, about our use of the power we have over others. You may think you don’t have any power, but you do - over elderly relatives who need you to ensure they are cared for; children whose education is in your hands; neighbours who may need friendship. Mercy also extends to those who may have offended or hurt you, when forgiveness may lead them to do good. 

Take a moment now to write down the people in your life who could or do benefit from your unmerited kindness towards them. I think you’ll find it a long list! 

Christ promised that those who show mercy will receive it. We need His mercy; we are sinners and prone to use our power over people to act in our interests, not theirs. As with a hunger for justice, we must also search within ourselves for the mercy that wants no reward. Acts of mercy are powerful ways of sharing God’s love with others 

Prayer: Lord give me eyes to see how I can make an act with kindness today to someone in need. Amen. 

                                                        TC 

God’s plan for us is to see Him and to be with Him forever. To be pure of heart means that our love is directed wholly and solely to God: 

“you shall love the LORD, your God, with your whole heart, and with your whole being, and with your whole strength” [Deuteronomy 6:5] 

Jesus added that we must love our neighbour as ourselves [Mark 12:29-31] for, as we have seen in looking at other Beatitudes, our mission is to continue Jesus’ work and bring God’s love to others’ 

It is an old definition made popular again these days that “pure” means “without blemish’. Because of this, some argue that “pure” spirituality is a spirituality unsoiled by contact with grosser elements most especially with biological matter such as the human body with its wide variety of fluids, sticky viscous substances, mucus, blood, spit, sweat and so on. But this is to argue for sterility. In the same way there are those who claim that ‘scepticism is the purity of the intellect and the only sure thing is doubt’ But that also is to argue for intellectual sterility through failure to commit sincerely to any faith or any action. Think about it and you will realise that these ways of thinking about purity go only skin deep. 

From the earliest days of the Church, Christians have taken an entirely different approach. Our emphasis is on being free from sin and has above all to do with relationships - with God and our fellow humans. If we have a heart that is simple, open, and good, purity of heart means that we don’t hide who we are from other people, and that we treat others the way Christ would, as persons with great dignity, not reducing them to objects of personal pleasure. Thus may we see God 

                                                                       TC 

“Peace” has several meanings for us humans: an end to hostilities; freedom from disturbance; tranquillity; peace of mind; being in a state of friendliness; civil order. All these definitions have one thing in common: they refer to relations between people and usually refer to some improvement from undesirable to agreeable human circumstances. 

This is not what Jesus is talking about when calling peacemakers “children of God”. In this Beatitude, Jesus refers to our relationship with God as individuals, as communities and as a Church. He is saying that whatever else is happening, our focus has to be on the journey to paradise, following the road. He urges pursuit of ‘the peace that surpasses all understanding’ (Philippians’ 4:7). 

Being at peace is not a passive state: it is good to strive for the end of war, for freedom from disturbance, for maintaining friendships and so on. But these are only steps on our journey, driven by our desire to serve and love God, and not our self-interests. Self-interest may drive much peacemaking: history shows such ‘peace’ is not sustainable. 

God’s Peace should be the basis of all work for peace, because divine peace is the fulfilment of our friendship with God, our acceptance of His authority and our joy in His love. As such it is the perfect template for achieving peace in the world. Jesus, leader and exemplar of our struggle for peace, says he is not bringing peace on earth but bringing earth (that’s all of us) to peace in heaven. 

It follows that peace is and should be the Church’s priority and that building and maintaining friendships is top priority for each of us in our daily lives. 

                                                                 TC 

“Fear is a force that can turn that which is real, meaningful, warm, gentle, and kind in your life into devastation and a desert. It is a powerful force….

“The best story I know is from India … and it is a story about a man who is condemned to spend a night in a cell with a poisonous snake. If he made the slightest little stir, the snake was on top of him and he was dead. So, he stood in the corner of the cell … petrified. He barely dared to breathe for fear of alerting the snake. … When the full force of light came in with the full dawn he noticed it was not a snake at all. It was an old rope.

The moral of the story is very profound: …… in our minds there are harmless old ropes, but when fear begins to work on them, we convert them into monsters who hold us prisoners.”
                                   Walking in the Pastures of Wonder John O’Donohue

Help is at hand. There are 33 places in the Bible where God tells to be not afraid: e.g.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 

In that room the world turned upside down. 

This was no gift of Greek or Latin 

nor any patois of the world then known, 

These were words familiar but forgotten, 

grammar and syntax learnt at mother’s 

breast, cast off, life’s first lessons unlearnt. 

New understanding bursts into flame, 

excised crisp cynicism and terror’s fear, 

the dull language of despair and death 

displaced by a lexicon of love: - 

a language to talk peace, abandon war; 

to join in reconciliation 

minds and bodies once used to slaughter; 

to win what’s worth the winning for all; 

to deploy the strong subtle syntax 

of forgiving; to give and accept 

clemency with humble compassion; 

to slough despair, put on hope; 

to put up with, and not to put down;; 

to offer a hand, withhold the fist; 

to offer words for unity, not croak 

apartheid; to sing love, drown out hate. 

                                                   Tom Caple 

The Bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly, I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. 

                                              Matthew 25: 10-13 

“How many are the moments in which we can be Christ for others? 

Now is the moment: do not delay. The Bridegroom is coming. Trim the wicks of your lamps. Perhaps next to you, perhaps now reading your email, perhaps sleeping next to you, perhaps in the cubicle next to yours, perhaps on the other end of the classroom, perhaps on the playing field, is someone whom Christ must touch right now. 

And perhaps yours are the only hands, the only voice, the only smile, the only embrace, the only look that He can use to touch His beloved. 

Be alert! The moment will never come again. Trust yourself to God and He will act.” 

                                            Tim Muldoon Dot Magis blog cited in An Ignatian Book of Days 

We celebrate Christ’s Ascension on Thursday, 30th May. Though Christ has ascended, let us remember that God is not absent. Christ has raised us up so that we can experience God in the many details of daily life and to be the channel for His love for us and all around us. 

                                                               TC 

“When Spring arrives, I turn my ears to the joyful and sublime music of Mozart. I have heard musicologists describe Mozart’s music as ‘divine’, ‘heavenly’, or ‘out of this world’. It is probably all of that and more. The appreciative listener is susceptible to the wide range of feelings and emotion the music of Mozart inspires: joy, serenity, graciousness, civility, refinement, melancholy, a sense of longing for the inner world. In the music of Mozart, one seldom confronts the sense of tragedy or struggle of other composers. Mozart, deeply human as he was, used his music in a positive manner. He wished to affirm all that was good in creation, such as it came from the hands of God. 

“Every Spring, as we relive the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection and feel the resurgence of life taking place all around us, I am quietly drawn to Mozart. His music, a metaphor for God’s life in us, inspires us to incorporate in our daily lives a sense of sobriety, beauty, goodness, godliness, joy, and all other positive attributes connected with the divine. Thus, through listening to Mozart and through the mysteries celebrated during the season, we may experience the truth hidden beneath the words of the Cure d’Ars: It is always spring in the soul united with God. 

“…… Mozart’s music seems to divulge in a lyrical fashion the sublime sense of renewal and amazement taking place in our midst…… Mozart, in his own incomparable way, affirms our faith in the reality of the Resurrection. Life is worthwhile and there is meaning in it after all, for Jesus is indeed risen!” 

                     Blessings of the Day Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourrette: Liguori-Triumph 2002 

                                                            TC 

The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had as everything they owned, they held in common. … None … was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money … to the apostles; it was then distributed to members who might be in need.

                                                              Acts of the Apostles 4:32-36

This is a vivid picture of the early Church: a small group, living simply, sharing what they had, joined in faith and committed to the mission Christ has set them.

What would it be like if Pope Francis issued an instruction for all Catholics to live like this? And to say to the world, “If you wish to be a follower of Christ, you cannot until you sell your house or land and car(s) and give the surplus to the poor, give away your iPad, unwanted designer shoes, fashion clothes, jewellery - everything you don’t really need.”

No doubt there would be cries that the pope had gone mad, or was a heretic, and riots would follow. Why? Because, where the early Church sought to be noticeably different from the rest of society, today it seems that we Catholics want to be seen as a ‘normal’ part of our society, following society’s norms and ways of doing things. All very well until your life bumps into racism at football matches, drug selling on the streets, young people knifing one another, inequalities in working practices, corruption in public office and private business, sexual exploitation and abuse of children as well as adults, evil gossip and foul language everywhere. These are part of ‘normal’ society, but no part of a Christian way of life. So what do we do? Walk on like pharisees? Or show the world in our actions and demeanour what a Catholic life is and how different it is from the lives of many around us? 

                                                             TC

On Sundays and special feast days the Church requires the singing of the “Gloria.” It is an ancient hymn, one that started out very humbly as a personal poem, imitating the Psalms, seeking to praise God. 

The initial words of the Gloria are straight from the Bible and part of an angelic hymn to God on that first Christmas night. (Luke 2:14) 

However, after that line everything else was composed separately. Who com-posed it? There is no known author, but it can be traced back to the third century., “The Gloria, like the Kyrie, was not created originally for the liturgy of the Mass. It is an heirloom from the treasure of ancient Church hymns, a precious remnant of a literature now almost buried but once certainly very rich.” 

                            Joseph A. Jungmann in The Mass of the Roman Rite 

These early hymns were called, “psalms by private persons” and were not written for any particular liturgical use. At first it was used in the East as a morning hymn in the Little Hours of the Divine Office, as a general hymn of thanksgiving and praise used outside the main liturgical events. One of the first instances of its use during the Mass was at the Mass of Christmas night. Later it was added to Sundays and feasts of martyrs. As the centuries went by this particular hymn became more and more a central part of the Mass and was obligatory on certain days by the 5th century. 

The current General Instruction of the Roman Missal explains its vital importance: 

The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is a most ancient and venerable hymn by which the Church, gathered in the Holy Spirit, glorifies and entreats God the Father and the Lamb. The text of this hymn may not be replaced by any other. 

It is a glorious song, one that invites us to complete the hymn of the angels and to add our voices in thanksgiving for everything that God has done for us. 

Source: https://aleteia.org/2018/02/03/how-someones-poem-became-the-greatest-hymn-of-the-mass/ 

“It was revealed to Abba Antony in his desert that there was one who was his equal in the city. He was a doctor by profession, and whatever he had beyond his needs he gave to the poor, and every day he sang the Sanctus with the angels. 

              ST ANTONY THE GREAT 

Re-reading this episode about the life of St Antony of the Desert is always refreshing. One wonders who is worthy of greater admiration: Saint Antony, the father of monks, who with deep humility recognises the holiness in another and rejoices in it: or the admirable evangelical witness of this doctor’s life, who strove to live by God’s word in the midst of the wicked world of his times!

Both lives, one lived in the solitude of the desert and the other amid the distractions of the world, spring from the same love for God, the same purity of intention in God’s service, possess the same love for the poor in whom both recognise the person of Christ, and practise the same detachment in giving up what is superfluous in their lives.

Because of this, both Abba Antony in his austere desert solitude, and the humble doctor in his noisy city environment are equally pleasing in the sight of the Lord and are given the equal joy of praising God unceasingly, singing daily in the company of the angels the thrice-holy hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy.”

Brother Victor-Antione d’Avila-Latourette: Blessings of the Daily