.
While my first appointment as a priest forty years ago was to the parish of Greymouth, in the couple of years before my ordination I spent time in the parishes of Pukekohe (south of Auckland) and Ngaio / Khandallah (Onsolw) in Wellington – three months each.
.
Each of these appointments was rich with encouragements and challenges and I have very good memories of my time in these communities
.
I recall that in every parish there was a great mid-Lent relief, a lightening-up, when it came to St. Patrick’s day. The more committed Irish and their supporters would sport green and flock to pubs to sing of the homeland. The rest of us would happily join in the celebrations, happy to ease up on the Lenten disciplines.
.
That’s not a bad thing, the breaking of the fast. In fact the Lenten discipline does not apply to major feasts and the Sundays of Lent remain days of sabbath celebration.
.
Our problem is often that we become too zealous even rigid in our well-intentioned religious practices. Perhaps we make the mistake of attaching to the method and the rule even to the detriment of the relationship with Jesus who is the reason for the (Lenten) season.
.
Thinking back to my first parish placements I’m also recalling how much I enjoyed being among the people of these communities.
.
In difficult times I learnt how easy it is to become self-preoccupied, especially when away from home friends and family. But I also discovered the remedy for this, and the writer of today’s Gospel has the same message…
.
…when doubting, or lonely, or verging on self-centredness…
- be compassionate
- don’t judge
- don’t condemn,
- grant pardon
- give
Why?
The gospel passage concludes with the answer:
“because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back”
When we look outwards we receive much more than we give.
Try it.
.
.
CAFE GATHERINGS
Send your date and time to add to the list, and just turn up at at one of the advertised gatherings, just one hour, focussing on where we are encountering Christ.
TODAY CHRISTCHURCH
Monday 17 March 10.00am (wear Green for St. Patrick)
Invitation from Trish
Cafe Moko
Bush Inn Centre, Waimairi Rd.
TRENTHAM
Tuesday 18th March 1pm
Invitation from Kat
Cafe Equinox
458 Fergusson Drive, Trentham,
NEW PLYMOUTH
Wednesday 19 March 10.00am
Invitation from Joan
Stumble Inn
200 Mangorei Road New Plymouth
AUCKLAND NORTH SHORE
Thursday 20 March 10.30am
Invitation from Catherine
Columbus Coffee
219 Don McKinnon Drive (outside Westfield overlooking the lake) Albany
LOWER HUTT
Wed 26 March 10.30am
Invite from Catherine
Columbus Cafe in Mitre 10
25 Bouverie St, Petone.
Thursday 7am St Mary’s church, Whanganui (every Thursday)
☘️
Happy St Patrick’s Day to all.
☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️