fully alive

May 22, 2021

Recent weeks have been a time of considering new developments for Food For Faith. The generosity of supporters has enabled us to work on new website developments including regular Lectio Divina (which will begin later this week) a prayer intention page (now working at this link), and a FFF cafe gatherings page which will also be available in a few days.

This feels like a bit of a Pentecost experience for me, a new beginning. I had little idea of the robust support that so many people have for the FFF mission, wanting it to continue and to grow. I’m humbled, but also challenged to develop the mission in a number of ways. I’m held to the task especially by those who have emailed me in recent weeks asking what’s happened to FFF, we haven’t heard from you! Keep the reflections coming!

Watch this space!

And remember you can adjust your email preferences at this link. (Note that today’s email was sent to everyone on the FFF database) and unless you unsubcribe you will receive these updates once every few weeks. – if you tick the Lent & Advent box you will be signed up for the daily emails for those seasons. If you check regular posts you’ll hear from me whenever a new post is uploaded (perhaps 2-3 times a week), and those who tick Lectio Divina will receive these daily audio reflections.

As well as the evidence of the great support of many people in recent weeks. some have been expecially specific in their encouragement. A friend last week showed me a number of reflection books suggesting that FFF might meet a need in this area adding that podcasts were also a great need directing me to some who already provide resources in this way.

And in recent days I have been pondering the message of Pentecost in preparation for today’s feast. A couple of years ago (2018) Pope Francis in his Pentecost homily addressed the cause of the timidity that too often hides our faith.

The Spirit frees hearts chained by fear. He overcomes all resistance. To those content with half measures he inspires whole-hearted generosity. He opens hearts that are closed. He impels the comfortable to go out and serve. He drives the self-satisfied to set out in new directions. He makes the lukewarm thrill to new dreams. That is what it means to change hearts.

I imagine Pentecost to be the event which made Christians colourful.

At Pentecost last year Francis notes that Jesus did not make the disciples into uniformed robots capable of satisfying little more than the letter or religious law in a way that might be little more than moralism and legalism. Too often religion settles for producing robots – but Jesus respects these characters:

“…some of them were fishermen, simple people accustomed to living by the work of their hands, but there were also others, like Matthew, who was an educated tax collector. They were from different backgrounds and social contexts, and they had Hebrew and Greek names. In terms of character, some were meek and others were excitable; they all had different ideas and sensibilities. They were all different. Jesus did not change them; he did not make them into a set of pre-packaged models. No. He left their differences and now he unites them by anointing them with the Holy Spirit.

Now there’s a challenge which reminds me of the 4th century teacher Irenaeus who understood that the way to decide if we are fully Christian is if we know that we are fully alive.

6 Comments

  1. Fr John
    It is good to hear that you are getting FFF back into a more regular routine again! I hear in today’s reading for Pentecost from the Acts of the Apostles that after the Holy Spitit had descended on the Apostles they were able to communicate with a greater number of people because they were able to speak in many languages. My analogy with FFF is maybe not perfect but the fact that it can spread your word globally must surely be the work of the Spirit.
    Look forward to your more regular FFF
    God Bless your work
    Fred

    Reply
  2. I feel alive with excitement to read about the development of fff and it’s potential to offer life to many through the different forms. I agree, this is a holy spirit filled ministry – thanks for persevering and keeping true to God’s call, Father John . God bless you.

    Reply
  3. Just checking emails and felt a sense of excitement and uplift to see FFF again . Thank you very much on this Pentecost day helping our understanding of the Holy Spirit in our ordinary daily lives .

    Reply
  4. Pentecost Sunday, a very special day in my life as it is the anniversary of my mother’s death. Even though it is a different date each year, I can’t help but associate this Sunday as the anniversary day.. what a fabulous day to go to our Lord! Mum was always a party girl!
    Really looking forward to having your reflections and Lectio Divina back regularly Fr John, Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Thank you Fr John, so good to have you back again! I missed your daily posts. Margaret

    Reply
  6. Yes, there is gratitude in my soul this morning to know you are back!
    I have missed your daily posts a great deal. But challenged at the same time
    to continue the way you had taken so many of us through our Lenten journey
    and resurrection week. With deep gratitude and prayerful support.
    We are asking much of you, John, to continue your posts regularly.
    Paddy op

    Reply

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