.

The theme of the Dunedin reflection day on Friday was Confidence.

Confidence in God’s Providence.

So I’ve been pondering this as I consider what and who gives me confidence.

A number of people have helped to boost my confidence in recent days and I am very grateful to them.

I think of the people I spent time with in Dunedin on Thursday and Friday,

I found myself saying to them that I often feel as though I’m passionate about priestly ministry for purely selfish reasons since I receive so much encouragement and confidence from the people I get to spend time with.

Yesterday I was in Timaru to adjudicate the Religious Questions event of the annual Bishop Lyons public speaking gathering for the seven Catholic Colleges of the diocese of Christchurch.

Almost fifty years ago as a high school student I was a timid and very nervous participant in the Religious Questions competition.

In preparation for yesterday twenty-one students (three from each of our seven Christchurch Diocese Catholic colleges) has studied Pope Leo’s encouraging letter on education (October 2025) Drawing New Maps of Hope. If you’re interested it’s at this link.

Not only is it a letter that gives confidence for educators in a challenging digital age, but the young people’s enthusiasm, passion and clarity in communicating their study of the document was deeply inspiring spreading confidence among all of us who were privileged to hear them.

And there’s a great example of confidence in today’s gospel reading, the account of the raising of Lazarus.

The greatest example of confidence in this passage however is not Jesus resuscitating Lazarus but Martha’s profession of faith: “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.”

And I’m inspired by Martha’s understanding of Jesus’ presence – not the Christ who will one day at the end of time come into the world, but the one who TODAY is coming into the world.

That fact, Jesus coming into my world today gives me the ultimate confidence.

And thank you to the young people yesterday morning who reminded me of this by renewing my trust in divine providence present and active here and now.

Pic above is from Bishop Lyons event a few years ago.
If anyone has pics from this year’s gathering
send them and I’ll post them here tomorrow.
john@fff.org.nz

+++

Take an initiative and initiate a cafe gathering, or join these gatherings:

.

Monday 23 March 10.00am
Moko Cafe Bush Inn Centre, Waimairi Road Christchurch
Trish

Thursday 28 March 10.00am
Stumble Inn , 200 Mangorei Road , New Plymouth 
Joan