Dante helps us to live a fully human life, emerging from the dark forest in which we lose our bearings and the sense of our true worth.
Lockdown reflections
say the word
Do I accept my own perception of myself, or do I believe that God’s more positive view of me might be the one to trust?
the pathway
The cross does not mean that I should simply put up with suffering, becoming co-dependant on a grossly unfair situation
inclusivity
The church is not called to be a place where every person easily feels effortlessly at home, but an environment of growth for people who seek maturity of faith.
even at night
And best of all, this happens for the disciple not only throughout every day, but “even at night”
yes YOU !
Paul is not too interested in who they think they themselves are. Instead he wants them to know who they are from God’s point of view.
the way together
So the work of the preparation of the homily, and the work of listening, and the work of communicating, belongs to all the people
it’s not boot camp
Let’s turn away the fundamentalists who propose a life of artificial asceticism, far removed from Christ
mystery revealed
Too often I catch myself in action wrongly thinking and living as if the life that I seek is hidden from me.
rhubarb & homilies
Even if the priest just repeated the word “rhubarb” the person with open mind and heart would hear God
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living in colour
A few years ago I picked up a John August Swanson work – only a print unfortunately, but still full of power, and colour.
So much colour.
Today’s post-resurrection encounter with Jesus reminds me of this great Swanson work “The Big Catch.”
These fishermen previously endured a mere existence in black and white, getting through each day, their regular routines dictated by the demands and fears of friends and foes.
let’s get physical
Note the physicality of today’s gospel reading.
Physical features (hearts, hands, feet, mouth, eyes) abound and emotional realities are strong (peace, alarm, fright, agitation, doubt).
resurrection energy
I had planned to continue the daily reflections through this Easter Week but I’ve already missed Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday and now it’s early morning on Easter Wednesday. Thank you to those who emailed with “where are you”, “what happened” and “I haven’t had a FFF email this week.” Thank you for your enthusiasm and for keeping me on my toes.
Easter people ?
There is a great old Easter greeting: “We are an Easter people” to which hearers respond “and Alleluia is our song!” I love this, and if I see you in this Easter Week, this Octave of Easter Sundays, you are welcome to greet me in this way. The reason I need to be reminded that we are an Easter people is that I too often reduce the Easter life we are offered to ideas and categories, words and formulas, customary ways of thinking and acting.
experiencing
Consider the range of emotions that the disciples of Jesus moved through over the days of his final suffering and his crucifixion and resurrection. Such extremes of feeling cannot be imagined or pondered with disinterest. They must be experienced.