Just in case there is a God on the other side of death,
might it not be a good idea to make contact and friends with that God on this side.
Saturday, 18 November 2017
Wednesday, 15 November 2017
Friday, 27 October 2017
Another quick prayer for the day about speaking with love
Guard my tongue this day.
May I only ever speak with love.
Give me wisdom and discretion.
(I need the last two, but especially the last, so much!)
May I only ever speak with love.
Give me wisdom and discretion.
(I need the last two, but especially the last, so much!)
Tuesday, 24 October 2017
Prayers 7 for our loved ones by name and for the special needs of individuals and for the world
May all the angels and saints of heaven pray with me to you,
Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Thank you for all our loved ones
and I pray for our relationship with you, ourselves, each other and others
and in all our needs.
Please bless our day in every way
and may everything we do be an act of love for you.
At this point, I name them all and remember any special reasons for prayer at that time.
The list includes our children and their families, our relatives and friends.
I try to keep a list of people who have asked for special prayers (remembering is a problem, but not for God, of course, thank goodness!).
Then, I pray for families, parents, the sick and their carers, for conversion and peace for the world, for our parish, the Church in England and Wales and for the Church throughout the world, for schools, staff and children, for the elderly and infirm, the dying and the bereaved, for the spreading of the knowledge and love of God, (for a church organisation with which we were involved for a long time, (the SVP)), for our own four countries and all the countries of the world, especially where there is present trouble.
This is why the first cuppa of the day, delivered to me (yes, in bed!!) by H, helps me to run through all these.
If it sounds a madly long list, well, it probably is, but there again, I know that God knows my systematic brain and takes it as God takes all our offerings.
Individual people will have their own ways of praying and that's as it should be.
H's "Help me to get through this day!" is certainly much more accessible, even to me, and probably a relief to God after my lot.
Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Thank you for all our loved ones
and I pray for our relationship with you, ourselves, each other and others
and in all our needs.
Please bless our day in every way
and may everything we do be an act of love for you.
At this point, I name them all and remember any special reasons for prayer at that time.
The list includes our children and their families, our relatives and friends.
I try to keep a list of people who have asked for special prayers (remembering is a problem, but not for God, of course, thank goodness!).
Then, I pray for families, parents, the sick and their carers, for conversion and peace for the world, for our parish, the Church in England and Wales and for the Church throughout the world, for schools, staff and children, for the elderly and infirm, the dying and the bereaved, for the spreading of the knowledge and love of God, (for a church organisation with which we were involved for a long time, (the SVP)), for our own four countries and all the countries of the world, especially where there is present trouble.
This is why the first cuppa of the day, delivered to me (yes, in bed!!) by H, helps me to run through all these.
If it sounds a madly long list, well, it probably is, but there again, I know that God knows my systematic brain and takes it as God takes all our offerings.
Individual people will have their own ways of praying and that's as it should be.
H's "Help me to get through this day!" is certainly much more accessible, even to me, and probably a relief to God after my lot.
Sunday, 22 October 2017
Prayers 6 Prayers to all the angels and saints of heaven
The prayers I have posted so far are, as is our Catholic tradition, followed by intercessions to Our Lady, as we name Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the Holy Family, to St Joseph (these last two being special favourites of mine) and to all our Patron Saints and Guardian Angels.
I offer them here to anyone who may be interested.
Beloved Mother, Holy Family, St Joseph and all the angels and saints of heaven,
thank you for loving and praying for us always.
May we love and pray to you as we should.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
You are the most blest of all women
and blessed is your son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
thank you for praying for us your children, (*see below)
now and at the hour of our death. Amen
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Beloved Holy Family, thank you for being with ours and all families,
now and always, in times of need and the hour of our death. Amen
Beloved St Joseph, husband of Mary and foster-father of Jesus,
thank you that your love surrounds and protects ours and all families,
as it did the Holy family, now and always,
in times of need and the hour of our death. Amen
Beloved Mother, Holy Family, St Joseph,
Sts (and here, I name husband's and my Patron Saints individually),
all the patron saints of our loved ones and all we know or know of, living or dead,
thank you for praying for us all but especially for those in any kind of need.
Thank you, Guardian Angels, for guiding and guarding us throughout this day,
especially those who are travelling, away from home or in any kind of danger. Amen
* I feel sure that Our blessed Lady would want us to come to her as her children, totally confident in her motherly love, despite our failings and failures, and not as sinners. I know I would with my children even though I am so far beneath her, in my capacity to love.
I offer them here to anyone who may be interested.
Beloved Mother, Holy Family, St Joseph and all the angels and saints of heaven,
thank you for loving and praying for us always.
May we love and pray to you as we should.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
You are the most blest of all women
and blessed is your son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
thank you for praying for us your children, (*see below)
now and at the hour of our death. Amen
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Beloved Holy Family, thank you for being with ours and all families,
now and always, in times of need and the hour of our death. Amen
Beloved St Joseph, husband of Mary and foster-father of Jesus,
thank you that your love surrounds and protects ours and all families,
as it did the Holy family, now and always,
in times of need and the hour of our death. Amen
Beloved Mother, Holy Family, St Joseph,
Sts (and here, I name husband's and my Patron Saints individually),
all the patron saints of our loved ones and all we know or know of, living or dead,
thank you for praying for us all but especially for those in any kind of need.
Thank you, Guardian Angels, for guiding and guarding us throughout this day,
especially those who are travelling, away from home or in any kind of danger. Amen
* I feel sure that Our blessed Lady would want us to come to her as her children, totally confident in her motherly love, despite our failings and failures, and not as sinners. I know I would with my children even though I am so far beneath her, in my capacity to love.
About liking our creature comforts and two little snippets about Nietsche
Joseph Pearce on John Bradburne: 'The Vagabond of God'
"For most of us, addicted to our creature comforts, seeing someone choosing discomfort reminds us that we are spiritual couch potatoes who need to be shaken out of comfort zones. This puts us on edge, even if it only shifts us to the edge of the couch."
I just really liked that last little phrase!
Michael Duggan on Patrick West on Nietzsche
(Nietzsche) was enraged by "you gifted young men who consider it your duty to pass comment on everything that happens".
And, apparently, "he really, really had it in for Christianity".
I know virtually nothing about Nietzsche, apart from his name (and, now, how difficult it is to spell!) and that he might be a bit controversial, from my point of view anyway, so I was interested to read this article.
These two snippets made me laugh. I know people (not just young men, I might add and, in fact, I may very well be one of them!!) who certainly fit the first bill; and I liked the naturalness of the second comment. It made him seem real to me.
( The above quotes come from the Catholic Herald of a few weeks ago. I've just deleted the date accidentally whilst trying to copy and paste - a procedure which I just can't seem to master!)
"For most of us, addicted to our creature comforts, seeing someone choosing discomfort reminds us that we are spiritual couch potatoes who need to be shaken out of comfort zones. This puts us on edge, even if it only shifts us to the edge of the couch."
I just really liked that last little phrase!
Michael Duggan on Patrick West on Nietzsche
(Nietzsche) was enraged by "you gifted young men who consider it your duty to pass comment on everything that happens".
And, apparently, "he really, really had it in for Christianity".
I know virtually nothing about Nietzsche, apart from his name (and, now, how difficult it is to spell!) and that he might be a bit controversial, from my point of view anyway, so I was interested to read this article.
These two snippets made me laugh. I know people (not just young men, I might add and, in fact, I may very well be one of them!!) who certainly fit the first bill; and I liked the naturalness of the second comment. It made him seem real to me.
( The above quotes come from the Catholic Herald of a few weeks ago. I've just deleted the date accidentally whilst trying to copy and paste - a procedure which I just can't seem to master!)
Saturday, 7 October 2017
Another quick prayer about the wisdom and timing of our words
Oh God,
give me the wisdom to know what to say,
and to whom - (oops, an afterthought)
and when.
Within two hours of having this very clear thought come into my head in bed this morning, I'd already made a mistake (ie saying the right thing (well, an ok thing anyway) at the wrong moment!!) hence the afterthought!
give me the wisdom to know what to say,
and to whom - (oops, an afterthought)
and when.
Within two hours of having this very clear thought come into my head in bed this morning, I'd already made a mistake (ie saying the right thing (well, an ok thing anyway) at the wrong moment!!) hence the afterthought!
Sunday, 1 October 2017
Saturday, 30 September 2017
Going to Mass on holiday
There's something really great about going to Mass in a completely different church, especially when you're on holiday. We walked into the beautifully named 'Mater Amabilis' (loving mother, when we googled it) at 9 20 am on that particular Sunday morning in late July.
Two men (in their 50s or 60s, I'd say) welcomed us all and introduced the visiting priest who was covering for the parish priest, away on his holidays. They, together with a lady singer, accompanied the lovely and well-known hymns with their guitars and everyone joined in with gusto.
As we began 'Morning has broken', I felt really moved and uplifted to be a part of such a wonderful family of people, probably numbering over 200, none of whom we knew, but with whom we shared this great gift of faith.
The priest had a pronounced limp, was very bowed and elderly, (over 80, as he told us in his homily) and very funny. Before Mass began, he placed a glass of water on the altar and turned away to go to the sacristy, muttering some aside which I didn't catch. Everyone's laughter caused me to ask the lady next to me what he'd said, which turned out to be, "You think it's water; it's gin!"
The Mass was beautiful and amazing. Father spoke about the readings in such a real, honest and merciful way, that he throughly endeared himself to us. He was overwhelmed by there being so many young families present, many of whom would have been on holiday, like us, having sought out the nearest church. (Another aside was to the effect of his usual parish being in 'geriatrica', causing another laugh!)
At the end of the Mass, he forsook the usual prayers and came off the altar to speak to a family of mum, dad and three sons, late teens, I'd say. He addressed the parents and said, "You've got a HELL of a job on in these times of ...... (mentioning many of the current dificulties of our times)."
He then spoke to the young men directly and, amongst other things which I can't remember now (this having taken me so long to get round to finishing), said, "Just look around you and see this lot (casting his arm in the direction of us older folk). They've borne the heat and the toil of the day and they're still here, hanging on (or words to that effect). Learn from them."
It was so moving. I had tears in my eyes right through the last hymn. (And so did H!") At the cuppa afterwards, I told him off for making me cry! He talked about having been pensioned off and I said perhaps it was because of his limp to which he retorted that it was from rugby. I laughed and said, "Well, you've only got yourself to blame then, Father." And we both laughed.
H = husband
Two men (in their 50s or 60s, I'd say) welcomed us all and introduced the visiting priest who was covering for the parish priest, away on his holidays. They, together with a lady singer, accompanied the lovely and well-known hymns with their guitars and everyone joined in with gusto.
As we began 'Morning has broken', I felt really moved and uplifted to be a part of such a wonderful family of people, probably numbering over 200, none of whom we knew, but with whom we shared this great gift of faith.
The priest had a pronounced limp, was very bowed and elderly, (over 80, as he told us in his homily) and very funny. Before Mass began, he placed a glass of water on the altar and turned away to go to the sacristy, muttering some aside which I didn't catch. Everyone's laughter caused me to ask the lady next to me what he'd said, which turned out to be, "You think it's water; it's gin!"
The Mass was beautiful and amazing. Father spoke about the readings in such a real, honest and merciful way, that he throughly endeared himself to us. He was overwhelmed by there being so many young families present, many of whom would have been on holiday, like us, having sought out the nearest church. (Another aside was to the effect of his usual parish being in 'geriatrica', causing another laugh!)
At the end of the Mass, he forsook the usual prayers and came off the altar to speak to a family of mum, dad and three sons, late teens, I'd say. He addressed the parents and said, "You've got a HELL of a job on in these times of ...... (mentioning many of the current dificulties of our times)."
He then spoke to the young men directly and, amongst other things which I can't remember now (this having taken me so long to get round to finishing), said, "Just look around you and see this lot (casting his arm in the direction of us older folk). They've borne the heat and the toil of the day and they're still here, hanging on (or words to that effect). Learn from them."
It was so moving. I had tears in my eyes right through the last hymn. (And so did H!") At the cuppa afterwards, I told him off for making me cry! He talked about having been pensioned off and I said perhaps it was because of his limp to which he retorted that it was from rugby. I laughed and said, "Well, you've only got yourself to blame then, Father." And we both laughed.
H = husband
Prayers 5 Prayers to Jesus
In the Catholic Church, many people have a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is the symbol of his infinite love for all people, his family on earth. I use this as a vehicle for some of my prayers to Jesus.
O Sacred heart of Jesus, I implore
that I may love and trust you,
daily, more and more.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me to trust you always.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me to trust you always.
O Sacred Heart of jesus, help me to trust you always.
O Jesus, gentle and humble of heart,
make our hearts like unto thine,
especially mine.
O Jesus, through the most pure heart of Mary,
help me to pray and work for you this day,
for all the intentions of your divine heart,
which holds all those of ours
and of the whole world.
Blessed Redeemer,
may we see you more clearly,
love you more dearly
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
O Sacred heart of Jesus, I implore
that I may love and trust you,
daily, more and more.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me to trust you always.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me to trust you always.
O Sacred Heart of jesus, help me to trust you always.
O Jesus, gentle and humble of heart,
make our hearts like unto thine,
especially mine.
O Jesus, through the most pure heart of Mary,
help me to pray and work for you this day,
for all the intentions of your divine heart,
which holds all those of ours
and of the whole world.
Blessed Redeemer,
may we see you more clearly,
love you more dearly
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
Wednesday, 27 September 2017
Prayers 4 Prayers to The Holy Spirit and to the Blessed Trinity and prayers of thanksgiving, sorrow and love
I usually pray to Jesus next but will save that until I can explain a little bit more.
Need and Intercession (continued)
Holy Spirit of God,
please fill our minds with your wisdom,
our hearts with your love
and our spirits with your strength,
that we may know and do the will of our Father,
for the sake of his Son,
by the power of your Holy Spirit -
and comfort us when we get it wrong.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
may we know, love and serve you,
by serving with love, all those we know;
trusting the past to your mercy,
the present to your love
and the future to your providence. Amen
Thanksgiving
Please help us to be aware of and truly grateful for all your goodness to us;
for the love of family and friends,
for health of mind and body
and for the blessings and joys,
comforts and securities of our lives
Sorrow
and to be aware of and truly sorry for our failings and failures in loving
and allow your grace to help us overcome and avoid them all during this day.
Amen
Adoration and Love
and help me to love, honour, adore, worship, glorify and praise you, all this day long;
in your Divinity,
all-knowing, loving and giving God;
and in your Creativity;
for all creation is Father from, Son for and Holy Spirit through you.
I will try before you,
to worship and adore you,
as Father, loving Creator and Sustainer,
Jesus, constant Companion and Saviour
and Holy Spirit, wise Counsellor and Consoler.
Amen
Need and Intercession (continued)
Holy Spirit of God,
please fill our minds with your wisdom,
our hearts with your love
and our spirits with your strength,
that we may know and do the will of our Father,
for the sake of his Son,
by the power of your Holy Spirit -
and comfort us when we get it wrong.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
may we know, love and serve you,
by serving with love, all those we know;
trusting the past to your mercy,
the present to your love
and the future to your providence. Amen
Thanksgiving
Please help us to be aware of and truly grateful for all your goodness to us;
for the love of family and friends,
for health of mind and body
and for the blessings and joys,
comforts and securities of our lives
Sorrow
and to be aware of and truly sorry for our failings and failures in loving
and allow your grace to help us overcome and avoid them all during this day.
Amen
Adoration and Love
and help me to love, honour, adore, worship, glorify and praise you, all this day long;
in your Divinity,
all-knowing, loving and giving God;
and in your Creativity;
for all creation is Father from, Son for and Holy Spirit through you.
I will try before you,
to worship and adore you,
as Father, loving Creator and Sustainer,
Jesus, constant Companion and Saviour
and Holy Spirit, wise Counsellor and Consoler.
Amen
Tuesday, 26 September 2017
Prayers 3 Prayer to the Blessed Trinity and to God our Father
Having said the introductory prayers, I move onto these:
I pray in your name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
that my mind and heart may be filled with ever-lasting prayers
of Love, Adoration, Sorrow, Thanksgiving, Intercession, Need and Glory.
Glory
May all glory be given to you Father, and to you Son, and to you Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen
Need and Intercession
And I bring our needs in these intercessions, through you Holy spirit, with you Jesus, to you
Our Father in heaven,
may your holy name be honoured.
May your knigdom come and your will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
For you give us today our daily bread
and forgive us our offences as we forgive those who offend against us.
Please keep us from temptation and free us from evil,
and may we act justly,
love tenderly
and walk humbly
with you through this day. Amen
I pray in your name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
that my mind and heart may be filled with ever-lasting prayers
of Love, Adoration, Sorrow, Thanksgiving, Intercession, Need and Glory.
Glory
May all glory be given to you Father, and to you Son, and to you Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen
Need and Intercession
And I bring our needs in these intercessions, through you Holy spirit, with you Jesus, to you
Our Father in heaven,
may your holy name be honoured.
May your knigdom come and your will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
For you give us today our daily bread
and forgive us our offences as we forgive those who offend against us.
Please keep us from temptation and free us from evil,
and may we act justly,
love tenderly
and walk humbly
with you through this day. Amen
Prayers 2 My introductory morning prayers (Take 2)
These prayers are a conglomeration of my own words with little bits and bobs from other prayers and from the Bible, which have found their way in because I like them and they seem to fit. Here goes then. (Take 2!! Oops, put things in the wrong place; left things out. That's what comes from writing too late at night!)
Oh God, at the beginning of this new day,
please help me to be aware of your presence,
to think of you,
to thank you for this new day,
to count my blessings.
Thank you for all the blessings of yesterday,
(At this point, I run through the previous day, trying to remember what I need to thank God for. This should have been done the night before but often, I just fall asleep or have other things on my mind, which is a shame because it's so easy to become side-tracked in the memories and mithers of yesterday!!)
for the gift of sleep,
and for bringing us safely and peacefully through the night and into this new day.
Thank you for our family and friends,
for health and strength,
for our home and for every good thing in our lives.
Thank you for being with us all throughout this day,
but especially for being with those who are suffering or struggling in any way
or in need of any kind.
Thank you for helping us all to be what we should be and do what we should do,
for you, Father, with you, Jesus, through you, Holy Spirit.
Amen
For you, God, are the Supreme Being,
who alone exists of yourself and is infinite in all goodness.
In you, we live and move and have our being,
for you are in everything
and everything is in you.
I am in you and you are in me.
Please help me to hear you say today, "Be still and know that I am God";
"I am the Lord your God, who led you out of the land of Egypt".
Lord, you brought us to this our promised land;
you are merciful to us your children
and, for you, Lord, sufficient unto this day are all our needs.
(At this point, I usually run through our day and ask for specific help for what lies ahead, before moving on to the more set (even if adapted) prayers. This can be a mistake too, because there's so much scope for the mind to wander before the 'list' is finished! Like everything in life, it's all still a work in progress.))
Amen
Oh God, at the beginning of this new day,
please help me to be aware of your presence,
to think of you,
to thank you for this new day,
to count my blessings.
Thank you for all the blessings of yesterday,
(At this point, I run through the previous day, trying to remember what I need to thank God for. This should have been done the night before but often, I just fall asleep or have other things on my mind, which is a shame because it's so easy to become side-tracked in the memories and mithers of yesterday!!)
for the gift of sleep,
and for bringing us safely and peacefully through the night and into this new day.
Thank you for our family and friends,
for health and strength,
for our home and for every good thing in our lives.
Thank you for being with us all throughout this day,
but especially for being with those who are suffering or struggling in any way
or in need of any kind.
Thank you for helping us all to be what we should be and do what we should do,
for you, Father, with you, Jesus, through you, Holy Spirit.
Amen
For you, God, are the Supreme Being,
who alone exists of yourself and is infinite in all goodness.
In you, we live and move and have our being,
for you are in everything
and everything is in you.
I am in you and you are in me.
Please help me to hear you say today, "Be still and know that I am God";
"I am the Lord your God, who led you out of the land of Egypt".
Lord, you brought us to this our promised land;
you are merciful to us your children
and, for you, Lord, sufficient unto this day are all our needs.
(At this point, I usually run through our day and ask for specific help for what lies ahead, before moving on to the more set (even if adapted) prayers. This can be a mistake too, because there's so much scope for the mind to wander before the 'list' is finished! Like everything in life, it's all still a work in progress.))
Amen
Recommending three articles from the Catholic Herald Sept 1 2017
- Notebook by HARRY MOUNT
- Charterhouse by JAMES JEFFREY
- The last word by FR RONALD ROLHEISER
Sunday, 24 September 2017
About God, free will and choosing between right and wrong
Ask parents if they are able to help, make, or even influence, their grown-up children to do what they, the parents, really think, feel and believe is in their best interests, and most, if not all, will say an emphatic NO.
Our offspring will, when they are or should be responsible for their own actions, mostly go their own way, right or wrong, and we have to let them.
So it is with God and us. Let us pray for the wisdom to make the right choices in life, to give thanks when we do and to make amends when we don't.
Our offspring will, when they are or should be responsible for their own actions, mostly go their own way, right or wrong, and we have to let them.
So it is with God and us. Let us pray for the wisdom to make the right choices in life, to give thanks when we do and to make amends when we don't.
About the Reformation
'Reformation Myths' by Rodney Stark sounds interesting.
See review by Michael Duggan, Catholic Herald, August 25 2017
Footnote: I'm not on commission from this magazine but we receive it weekly, and although I don't agree with everything, there are some really good columns, articles, reviews and regular contributions that I always want to share with someone, so why not here, I think.
About the difference between hope in God and conviction that there is a God
The concept of hope, in a religious sense, has long been a struggle for me because I have had always the conviction that a) there is a God, b) there is a heaven and c) I'm going there when I die.
This is not because I'm 'good' enough but because God is. I've tried to be and do my best, and, even though I've failed many, many times, for which I am truly sorry, I believe that this is all that God asks from us.
Being brought up with very good values of what was right and wrong and being shown, by word and example, how to behave towards others was also an amazing benefit. So, believing that this is the best way to be happy in this world, it's been worth the effort.
(On a 'personal anxiety' level, I freely admit that I am also scared of 'being in the wrong' and of 'being told off', but not by God, of whom I've never been afraid, but by people. Also, I bother far too much about what people think of me so do want to be seen to be doing the 'right' thing.)
As I grew up and became aware of the anguish and suffering in the world, I used to think I couldn't bear it if I didn't believe that all this would be put right or made up for somehow, if not in this world, then in the next.
Recently though, I'm beginning to see why hope could be so important for people who don't have the certainty that I have (through no conscious effort on my part, but as a pure gift from my life's circumstances, I imagine).
If what I believe in is true, then every grief and sorrow, all struggles and sufferings, in fact "every tear", WILL be wiped away. Consolation will be given TO, and justice done FOR, everyone who has suffered. At the same time, justice WILL be done TO all who have caused suffering, in ways that our human minds cannot comprehend.
Surely it is worth hoping that this might be true. Isn't this better than closing our eyes and shutting down our hearts to the pain of the world or becoming hardened and teaching ourselves not to care.
I do hope so. If I never wrote another word, this is what I'd want my life's message to be.
This is not because I'm 'good' enough but because God is. I've tried to be and do my best, and, even though I've failed many, many times, for which I am truly sorry, I believe that this is all that God asks from us.
Being brought up with very good values of what was right and wrong and being shown, by word and example, how to behave towards others was also an amazing benefit. So, believing that this is the best way to be happy in this world, it's been worth the effort.
(On a 'personal anxiety' level, I freely admit that I am also scared of 'being in the wrong' and of 'being told off', but not by God, of whom I've never been afraid, but by people. Also, I bother far too much about what people think of me so do want to be seen to be doing the 'right' thing.)
As I grew up and became aware of the anguish and suffering in the world, I used to think I couldn't bear it if I didn't believe that all this would be put right or made up for somehow, if not in this world, then in the next.
If what I believe in is true, then every grief and sorrow, all struggles and sufferings, in fact "every tear", WILL be wiped away. Consolation will be given TO, and justice done FOR, everyone who has suffered. At the same time, justice WILL be done TO all who have caused suffering, in ways that our human minds cannot comprehend.
Surely it is worth hoping that this might be true. Isn't this better than closing our eyes and shutting down our hearts to the pain of the world or becoming hardened and teaching ourselves not to care.
I do hope so. If I never wrote another word, this is what I'd want my life's message to be.
Tuesday, 19 September 2017
Prayers 1 About 'praying' and 'saying prayers'
For a long time now, I have felt that I would like to write about praying and share my prayer pattern in case it might be of help to someone else so here goes.
How many words have been written on this subject before?! Countless, I'm sure is the answer to that. Why should that be? Well, if there is a God who has made us and loves us then communication would seem to be high up on the list of imperatives in our relationship with our Maker.
As young people at school, we were given the pnemonic 'ACTS' as an aid to prayer, the letters standing for Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Suppplication. I was never particularly happy with this and, over the years, have come up with my own, which is as follows: Love, Adoration, Sorrow, Thanksgiving, Intercession, Need and Glory, giving the word 'LASTING'.
I actually end up praying in the opposite order of the letters. I also believe that it is important for us to pray in our own words in our personal prayer so you will find my best efforts to be as true to the accepted language of our traditional prayers as I understand it and as it makes sense to me.
The order is very much based on the Trinity which is the fundamental picture I have of the God with whom I am trying to communicate. So first of all, I address God the Father, then Jesus, his Son and then, the Holy Spirit.
As this has turned into quite a long introduction, I will start another post to give the actual prayers.
Sunday, 10 September 2017
Thoughts about two sad situations brought to mind whilst out shopping today
The post below was written in September 2017 and has been in draft ever since but still holds good for me today.
In the course of our conversation, not having seen them for a while, we found out that they are really struggling to get the appropriate care package for their son and respite for themselves.
Both of them have had very serious illnesses and they have one daughter who tries to help them as much as she can but has her own family and also has real health problems at the moment. It is so unjust and upsetting and breaks our hearts for them.
As we drove home, talking about how wrong it all was, we spotted one of our neighbours walking down the road. Since a dreadful bike accident when he was a young lad, every step he takes is painful to watch. He walks with a very pronounced limp and has had to have a hip operation at quite a young age for an adult.
There seems no easy answer to either of these situations which could be replicated throughout the world, to a greater and lesser extent, wherever you look.
My only consolation is to hang on to the absolute conviction that in the next world, all this grief will be assuaged and the injustice dealt with and righted. Again, I say to myself, without that belief, how can anyone live in a world with so much sorrow.
Tuesday, 29 August 2017
Thoughts about articles in the Catholic Herald Aug 4th, 2017 re Chris Patten and re the joy of 'ordinariness'
For a while, last year, I used to write an email to someone at the Herald when a particular piece struck me in any way, but the aforesaid magazines would pile up as I regularly fell behind with the task and anyway, what would the very nice Luke do with my comments, apart from, occasionally, and very kindly, replying.
It still happens that I read something which I really want to share, so where else should I do so than here on my very own blog where to my amazement, I see that nearly 8400 people have viewed my God-spot pages.
Re Chris Patten: final sentence of a review of his memoir, 'First Confession'
(He) "rose so high, served so well, and remained a decent, humane and faithful public servant." I like that.
Fr Matthew Pittam's column, "The pressure to be excellent" extolls what I like to call 'the glory of the ordinary'. So many of us today are made to feel that we have to 'jump through hoops' just to do our ordinary jobs. I think it's a really excellent article; well worth a read.
The same theme is taken up by Fr Ronald Rolheiser 'In praise of the ordinary' in his inimitable way. I would only change his last sentence, "There's a lot to be said for being a contented, little person, anchored in the rhythms of the ordinary." by removing the 'little'!
I liked Colin Brazier's column and there's a great anecdote from his 7 year old son's school diary; funny and human. It will make most parents (and teachers) smile.
It still happens that I read something which I really want to share, so where else should I do so than here on my very own blog where to my amazement, I see that nearly 8400 people have viewed my God-spot pages.
Re Chris Patten: final sentence of a review of his memoir, 'First Confession'
(He) "rose so high, served so well, and remained a decent, humane and faithful public servant." I like that.
Fr Matthew Pittam's column, "The pressure to be excellent" extolls what I like to call 'the glory of the ordinary'. So many of us today are made to feel that we have to 'jump through hoops' just to do our ordinary jobs. I think it's a really excellent article; well worth a read.
The same theme is taken up by Fr Ronald Rolheiser 'In praise of the ordinary' in his inimitable way. I would only change his last sentence, "There's a lot to be said for being a contented, little person, anchored in the rhythms of the ordinary." by removing the 'little'!
I liked Colin Brazier's column and there's a great anecdote from his 7 year old son's school diary; funny and human. It will make most parents (and teachers) smile.
Monday, 28 August 2017
About God making me from love and for love
God, I love you because you are love.
Thank you for loving me into and holding me in existence
and for always being with me.
Thank you for loving me into and holding me in existence
and for always being with me.
Wednesday, 23 August 2017
Another short prayer for the day about doing the right thing
Oh God,
please help me today,
to do the right thing
in the right way.
Amen
please help me today,
to do the right thing
in the right way.
Amen
Saturday, 12 August 2017
Friday, 28 July 2017
Another quick prayer for the day
Help me to know what I could and should do - and to try my best to do it;
and to know what I couldn't and shouldn't do - and to try my best not to do it.
and to know what I couldn't and shouldn't do - and to try my best not to do it.
Monday, 24 July 2017
A psalm for today
Oh God, you are my all and my everything.
You are the bedrock of my existence.
Your commandments of love are the code of my life.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything
In grief and sorrow, you are my comfort and consolation.
In happiness and health, you are my joy and delight.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything
You give me blue sky and white clouds,
the sun to warm me, the gentle breeze to cool,
the rain to water my garden.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything
You give me the green of trees, the music of rivers,
the curve of hills, the majesty of mountains,
the glory of sunsets.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything
You have been with me since childhood,
you have rescued me from danger.
Oh God, you my all and my everything
You have given me the gift of tears and laughter,
the joy of living and loving.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything
You have given me awareness of the needs of the world
and the desire to care about and for all creation.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything
You have given me the desire and the will to show gratitude.
For all these gifts, I thank you, dear God.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything.
You are the bedrock of my existence.
Your commandments of love are the code of my life.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything
In grief and sorrow, you are my comfort and consolation.
In happiness and health, you are my joy and delight.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything
You give me blue sky and white clouds,
the sun to warm me, the gentle breeze to cool,
the rain to water my garden.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything
You give me the green of trees, the music of rivers,
the curve of hills, the majesty of mountains,
the glory of sunsets.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything
You have been with me since childhood,
you have rescued me from danger.
Oh God, you my all and my everything
You have given me the gift of tears and laughter,
the joy of living and loving.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything
You have given me awareness of the needs of the world
and the desire to care about and for all creation.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything
You have given me the desire and the will to show gratitude.
For all these gifts, I thank you, dear God.
Oh God, you are my all and my everything.
Sunday, 25 June 2017
About being fed up with the everyday mistakes of life
Here I am, Lord, stuck in the messiness of my everyday life and in my (mostly minor, but disappointing) failings and failures; downhearted again. It seems, and almost certainly is, way too self-obsessive, but nevertheless, it is there.
Help me, Lord; lift me out of the doldrums. Help me to see things in the wider perspective and also to see that the needs of others and the little things I can actually do to help, are far more important than the mistakes I make and the 'fed-up-ness' I feel!
Amen
PS Oh, how much I need you to help me keep my mind on an even keel and my 'show' on the road! Thank you for always being there, for listening and helping.
Help me, Lord; lift me out of the doldrums. Help me to see things in the wider perspective and also to see that the needs of others and the little things I can actually do to help, are far more important than the mistakes I make and the 'fed-up-ness' I feel!
Amen
PS Oh, how much I need you to help me keep my mind on an even keel and my 'show' on the road! Thank you for always being there, for listening and helping.
Two quick prayers for the day
Dear God,
Please help me to be and do the best I can.
Be with me today every step of the way.
Thank you, Amen.
Please help me to be and do the best I can.
Be with me today every step of the way.
Thank you, Amen.
Monday, 19 June 2017
About knowing and finding what we are looking for
There is only one place where we will find everything we are looking for
and that is in the arms of Jesus.
He is the Man for All Seasons and for all people,
for all the times and tides of our lives.
Young and old, fit and strong, weak and weary - come to him.
He is waiting with outstretched arms. If we run and fall into them, we will be eternally comforted and consoled, held and strengthened to take whatever life may send our way. Why would anyone hold back?
We need look no further.
and that is in the arms of Jesus.
He is the Man for All Seasons and for all people,
for all the times and tides of our lives.
Young and old, fit and strong, weak and weary - come to him.
He is waiting with outstretched arms. If we run and fall into them, we will be eternally comforted and consoled, held and strengthened to take whatever life may send our way. Why would anyone hold back?
We need look no further.
About service and worry
Two thoughts came to me recently.
In service, lies happiness.
Turn a worry into a prayer.
In service, lies happiness.
Turn a worry into a prayer.
Sunday, 18 June 2017
Farewell to Julian of Norwich
I had decided to end my extracts from this marvellous treasury of images of our loving God and leave others to explore its delights if they so chose. There was just one more phrase that had stayed with me which I wanted to share and, rather than have to skip through all the chapters to find it, I decided to use google.
I wrote, "I it am", and, lo and behold, someone had been there before me; and how!! Google was full of beautiful extracts, in the same entrancing language. Just three words can lead you into this wonderful world of the love of God.
I now know that the images of "I it am" are from chapter 26 and there they are in Wikiquote for all to delve within and relish and fall under their spell.
I first heard of Julian in my mid-thirties and her visions resonated immediately in my heart. When I found that she was born more or less 600 years before me and that she wrote of the infinite love of God, the utter conviction of which has sustained me throughout my life, I felt an immediate bond with her.
This is the God in whom I believe with all my heart and mind. This is the God of loving truth and truthful love, the only God worth giving one's life for and to. I cannot imagine that a more beautiful picture of the 'homely loving' of Our 'Courteous Lord' could be found anywhere in the written word.
I wrote, "I it am", and, lo and behold, someone had been there before me; and how!! Google was full of beautiful extracts, in the same entrancing language. Just three words can lead you into this wonderful world of the love of God.
I now know that the images of "I it am" are from chapter 26 and there they are in Wikiquote for all to delve within and relish and fall under their spell.
I first heard of Julian in my mid-thirties and her visions resonated immediately in my heart. When I found that she was born more or less 600 years before me and that she wrote of the infinite love of God, the utter conviction of which has sustained me throughout my life, I felt an immediate bond with her.
This is the God in whom I believe with all my heart and mind. This is the God of loving truth and truthful love, the only God worth giving one's life for and to. I cannot imagine that a more beautiful picture of the 'homely loving' of Our 'Courteous Lord' could be found anywhere in the written word.
Sunday, 4 June 2017
From Julian of Norwich on the immensity God's love of God
Revelations of Divine Love
The Eighth Chapter
........I understood........the blissful Godhead that ever was, is, and ever shall be: Almighty, All-Wisdom, All-Love.........For well I wot that heaven and earth and all that is made is great and large, fair and good; but the cause it shewed so little to my sight was for that I saw it in the presence of him that is the Maker of all things: for to a soul that seeth the Maker of all, all that is made seemeth full little........... he that made all-thing for love, by the same love keepeth (it), and it is kept and shall be without end.............God is all that is good, as to my sight, and the goodness that everything hath, it is he.
In all this I was greatly stirred in charity to mine even-Christians, that they might see and know the same that I saw: for I would it were comfort to them.
And therefore I pray you all for God's sake, and counsel you for your own profit, that ye.........meekly behold God that of his courteous love and endless goodness would shew (this Vision....of our Lord God) generally, in comfort of us all. For it is God's will that ye take it with great joy and liking, as if Jesus had shewed it unto you all.
The Eighth Chapter
........I understood........the blissful Godhead that ever was, is, and ever shall be: Almighty, All-Wisdom, All-Love.........For well I wot that heaven and earth and all that is made is great and large, fair and good; but the cause it shewed so little to my sight was for that I saw it in the presence of him that is the Maker of all things: for to a soul that seeth the Maker of all, all that is made seemeth full little........... he that made all-thing for love, by the same love keepeth (it), and it is kept and shall be without end.............God is all that is good, as to my sight, and the goodness that everything hath, it is he.
In all this I was greatly stirred in charity to mine even-Christians, that they might see and know the same that I saw: for I would it were comfort to them.
And therefore I pray you all for God's sake, and counsel you for your own profit, that ye.........meekly behold God that of his courteous love and endless goodness would shew (this Vision....of our Lord God) generally, in comfort of us all. For it is God's will that ye take it with great joy and liking, as if Jesus had shewed it unto you all.
Sunday, 30 April 2017
About Jesus being more than a 'nice guy'
From a Lenten reflection by Archbishop Leo Cushley: Catholic Herald 7.4.17
As the Irish rock star Bono said in 2013: "When people say 'good teacher', 'prophet', 'really nice guy'- this is not really how Jesus thought of himself. So, you're left with a challenge in that, which is either Jesus was who he said he was or a complete and utter nutcase. You have to make a choice on that, and I believe that Jesus was (........) the Son of God."
Me too; that 's the kind of talking I like, down to earth, ordinary.
As the Irish rock star Bono said in 2013: "When people say 'good teacher', 'prophet', 'really nice guy'- this is not really how Jesus thought of himself. So, you're left with a challenge in that, which is either Jesus was who he said he was or a complete and utter nutcase. You have to make a choice on that, and I believe that Jesus was (........) the Son of God."
Me too; that 's the kind of talking I like, down to earth, ordinary.
From Julian of Norwich on the homeliness and courtesy of God
Revelations of Divine Love
The Seventh Chapter
(An image of the drops of blood falling from the crown of thorns on the head of Jesus)
........the plenteousness is like to the drops of water that fall off the eaves after a great shower of rain, that fall so thick that no man may number them with bodily wit;...........
And of all the sight it was most comfort to me that our God and Lord, that is so reverend and dreadful, is so homely and courteous: and this most fulfilled me with comfort and secureness of soul.
.......Then thinketh this poor creature thus: "And what might this noble Lord do (of) more worship and joy to me than to show me, that am so simple, this marvellous homeliness? Soothly it is more joy and liking to me than (if) he gave me great gifts and were himself strange in manner."
This bodily example was shewed so highly that man's heart might be ravished and almost forgetting itself for joy of the great homeliness. Thus it fareth with our Lord Jesus and us. For soothly it is the most joy that may be, as to my sight, that he that is highest and mightiest, noblest and worthiest, is lowest and meekest, homeliest and most courteous: and truly and soothly this marvellous joy shall be shown us all when we see him.
And this willeth our Lord, that we seek for and trust to, joy and delight in him, comforting us and solacing us, as we may, with his grace and with his help, unto the time that we see it verily. For the most fulnes of joy that we shall have, as to my sight, is the marvellous courtesy and homeliness of our Father that is our maker, in our Lord Jesus Christ that is our Brother and our Saviour.
The Seventh Chapter
(An image of the drops of blood falling from the crown of thorns on the head of Jesus)
........the plenteousness is like to the drops of water that fall off the eaves after a great shower of rain, that fall so thick that no man may number them with bodily wit;...........
And of all the sight it was most comfort to me that our God and Lord, that is so reverend and dreadful, is so homely and courteous: and this most fulfilled me with comfort and secureness of soul.
.......Then thinketh this poor creature thus: "And what might this noble Lord do (of) more worship and joy to me than to show me, that am so simple, this marvellous homeliness? Soothly it is more joy and liking to me than (if) he gave me great gifts and were himself strange in manner."
This bodily example was shewed so highly that man's heart might be ravished and almost forgetting itself for joy of the great homeliness. Thus it fareth with our Lord Jesus and us. For soothly it is the most joy that may be, as to my sight, that he that is highest and mightiest, noblest and worthiest, is lowest and meekest, homeliest and most courteous: and truly and soothly this marvellous joy shall be shown us all when we see him.
And this willeth our Lord, that we seek for and trust to, joy and delight in him, comforting us and solacing us, as we may, with his grace and with his help, unto the time that we see it verily. For the most fulnes of joy that we shall have, as to my sight, is the marvellous courtesy and homeliness of our Father that is our maker, in our Lord Jesus Christ that is our Brother and our Saviour.
Sunday, 9 April 2017
From Julian of Norwich on the gifts of the Passion and Death of Our Lord
Revelations of Divine Love
The Sixth Chapter
............We pray to God for (the sake of) his holy flesh and for his precious blood, his holy Passion, his dearworthy death and wounds: and all the blessed kindness, the endless life that we have of all this, is (of) his Goodness. And we pray him for his sweet Mother's love that him bare; and all the help we have of her is of his Goodness. And we pray by his holy Cross that he died on, and all the virtue and the help that we have of the Cross, it is of his Goodness. And on the same wise, all the help that we have of special saints and all the blessed Company of Heaven, the dearworthy love and endless friendship that we have of them, it is of his Goodness...................
..........so are we, soul and body, clad in the Goodness of God, and enclosed. Yea, and more homely - for ......the Goodness of God is ever whole - ..............for truly our Lover desireth that our soul cleave to him with all its might.............For of all things that heart may think, this pleaseth most God.........
For our soull is so specially loved of him that is highest, that it overpasseth the knowing of all creatures: that is to say, there is no creature that is made that may wot how much and how sweetly and how tenderly our Maker loveth us.
For our kindly Will is to have God, and the Good Will of God is to have us;.........
For he willeth that we be occupied in knowing and loving till the time that we shall be fulfilled in Heaven; and therefore was this lesson of Love shewed,...........and maketh the soul (to have) true meekness; with plenty of charity to his even (fellow)- Christians.
The Sixth Chapter
............We pray to God for (the sake of) his holy flesh and for his precious blood, his holy Passion, his dearworthy death and wounds: and all the blessed kindness, the endless life that we have of all this, is (of) his Goodness. And we pray him for his sweet Mother's love that him bare; and all the help we have of her is of his Goodness. And we pray by his holy Cross that he died on, and all the virtue and the help that we have of the Cross, it is of his Goodness. And on the same wise, all the help that we have of special saints and all the blessed Company of Heaven, the dearworthy love and endless friendship that we have of them, it is of his Goodness...................
..........so are we, soul and body, clad in the Goodness of God, and enclosed. Yea, and more homely - for ......the Goodness of God is ever whole - ..............for truly our Lover desireth that our soul cleave to him with all its might.............For of all things that heart may think, this pleaseth most God.........
For our soull is so specially loved of him that is highest, that it overpasseth the knowing of all creatures: that is to say, there is no creature that is made that may wot how much and how sweetly and how tenderly our Maker loveth us.
For our kindly Will is to have God, and the Good Will of God is to have us;.........
For he willeth that we be occupied in knowing and loving till the time that we shall be fulfilled in Heaven; and therefore was this lesson of Love shewed,...........and maketh the soul (to have) true meekness; with plenty of charity to his even (fellow)- Christians.
Sunday, 26 March 2017
From Julian of Norwich on 'ease of heart' and 'seeking God'
Revelations of Divine Love
The Fifth Chapter
..... this is the cause why we be not all in ease of heart and soul: that we seek here rest in those things that be so little, wherein is no rest, and know not our God that is Almighty, All-wise, All-good. For he is the Very Rest. .............
Also our Lord God shewed that it is full great pleasance to him that a silly soul come to him nakedly and plainly and homely. For this is the kind yearnings of the soul, ..........."God, of thy Goodness, give me thyself: for thou art enough to me, and I may nothing ask that is less, that may be full worship to thee; and if I ask anything that is less, ever me wanteth,--but only in thee I have all."
And these words are full lovesome to the soul, and full near touch they the will of God and his Goodness. ..........For he is the endlessness, and he hath made us only to himself, ..... and keepeth us in his blessed love; and all this is of his Goodness.
The Fifth Chapter
..... this is the cause why we be not all in ease of heart and soul: that we seek here rest in those things that be so little, wherein is no rest, and know not our God that is Almighty, All-wise, All-good. For he is the Very Rest. .............
Also our Lord God shewed that it is full great pleasance to him that a silly soul come to him nakedly and plainly and homely. For this is the kind yearnings of the soul, ..........."God, of thy Goodness, give me thyself: for thou art enough to me, and I may nothing ask that is less, that may be full worship to thee; and if I ask anything that is less, ever me wanteth,--but only in thee I have all."
And these words are full lovesome to the soul, and full near touch they the will of God and his Goodness. ..........For he is the endlessness, and he hath made us only to himself, ..... and keepeth us in his blessed love; and all this is of his Goodness.
Sunday, 19 March 2017
From Julian of Norwich on the Trinity and our Blessed Lady
Revelations of Divine Love
The Fourth Chapter
..................
And in the same Shewing suddenly the Trinity fulfilled my heart most of joy. And so, I understood, it shall be in heaven without end to all that shall come there. For the Trinity is God: God is the Trinity; the Trinity is our Maker and Keeper, the Trinity is our everlasting lover, everlasting joy and bliss, by our Lord Jesus Christ.
......our blessed Lady (was brought) to my understanding. I saw her ghostly, in bodily likeness: a simple maid and a meek, young of age and little waxen above a child, in the stature that she was when she conceived with child. Also God shewed in part the wisdom and the truth of her soul: wherein I understood the reverent beholding that she beheld her God and Maker (with), marvelling with great reverence that he would be born of her that was a simple creature of his making. And this wisdom and truth - knowing the greatness of her Maker and the littleness of herself that was made, - caused her to say full meekly to Gabriel: " Lo me, God's handmaid!" In this sight I understood soothly that she is more than all that God made beneath her in worthiness and grace; for above her is nothing that is made but the blessed (Manhood) of Christ, as to my sight.
Friday, 17 March 2017
About the 'name of God' in the OT
We were taught at school that God's words, as spoken to Moses from the burning bush, were felt by the Jewish people to require such awe and reverence, that they were never to be spoken aloud and were generally represented by the 4 letters, JHWH.
The translation we were given was "I am, who am", which always seemed very unsatisfactory to me, both grammatically and meaning-wise.
The translation we were given was "I am, who am", which always seemed very unsatisfactory to me, both grammatically and meaning-wise.
My favoured option would be "I AM WHO IS" that is, 'I am the Being who exists'. God just 'is'! God has no past or future; God dwells in the ever-present moment, beyond time.
I like to think of God as the 'is' in existence.
PS. It always rather upsets me when I hear the name, Jahweh, being used in case it gives offence to the Jewish community.
PS. It always rather upsets me when I hear the name, Jahweh, being used in case it gives offence to the Jewish community.
Wednesday, 15 March 2017
About receiving Holy Communion in hospital
I was in hospital, having had pneumonia. My body, mind and emotions had all hit a 'wall'. I'd had lunch, was sitting quietly, began to feel emotional, looked up and saw a lady standing in front of me. For a moment, I thought she was a nurse of some sort.
She leaned forward and quietly said, "My name is Julie and I'm one of the hospital chaplains." I looked at her, took hold of her hands - and cried and cried and cried. After a short while, I asked her if she would talk to me about herself so that I could become calm again.
She told me a little about her life and family until I was able to ask if she'd brought me Communion. She had. She said that I didn't need to say the responses; she would say them for us both. That in itself was beautiful. It was as if an angel stood before me and brought Jesus to me. I cried and listened and received my Blessed Lord from her hands.
Afterwards, I told her of all the thoughts that had come to me, lying in bed, during that time; of God, of the Trinity, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. She said that she felt privileged, or some other word like that, to have shared them. We talked of our families. I was conscious that she had others to visit. So we parted. It was the most beautiful Communion of my life.
Jesus was with me the whole of the time that I was in hospital. All the things that I had allowed to overcrowd my brain had been silenced. There, I could hear his voice, telling me many wise things, talking to me, showing me how his hand had guided me. I will not allow anything to come between us again.
I had allowed myself to be brought to a full stop. He brought me through the valley of the shadow of death. His crook is preventing me from going astray and his staff is gently guiding me in the right direction.
I went to sleep that night with the words of the psalm in my head.
You, Lord, are my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where you give me repose.
Near restful waters you lead me to revive my drooping spirit.
You lead me along the right path.
You are true to your name.
If I should walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
you are there with your crook and your staff
with these you give me comfort.
And comfort, that Wednesday afternoon, through the hands of Julie, I was given. It has not left me even now, 5 weeks later. Thank you Julie. Thank you, God, for sending her just when I needed you.
Amen.
She leaned forward and quietly said, "My name is Julie and I'm one of the hospital chaplains." I looked at her, took hold of her hands - and cried and cried and cried. After a short while, I asked her if she would talk to me about herself so that I could become calm again.
She told me a little about her life and family until I was able to ask if she'd brought me Communion. She had. She said that I didn't need to say the responses; she would say them for us both. That in itself was beautiful. It was as if an angel stood before me and brought Jesus to me. I cried and listened and received my Blessed Lord from her hands.
Afterwards, I told her of all the thoughts that had come to me, lying in bed, during that time; of God, of the Trinity, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. She said that she felt privileged, or some other word like that, to have shared them. We talked of our families. I was conscious that she had others to visit. So we parted. It was the most beautiful Communion of my life.
Jesus was with me the whole of the time that I was in hospital. All the things that I had allowed to overcrowd my brain had been silenced. There, I could hear his voice, telling me many wise things, talking to me, showing me how his hand had guided me. I will not allow anything to come between us again.
I had allowed myself to be brought to a full stop. He brought me through the valley of the shadow of death. His crook is preventing me from going astray and his staff is gently guiding me in the right direction.
I went to sleep that night with the words of the psalm in my head.
You, Lord, are my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where you give me repose.
Near restful waters you lead me to revive my drooping spirit.
You lead me along the right path.
You are true to your name.
If I should walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
you are there with your crook and your staff
with these you give me comfort.
And comfort, that Wednesday afternoon, through the hands of Julie, I was given. It has not left me even now, 5 weeks later. Thank you Julie. Thank you, God, for sending her just when I needed you.
Amen.
Sunday, 5 March 2017
About Jesus the welcomer (take 3)
Jesus is an inviter, a beckoner.
He stands, with arms wide open,
waiting for us to approach him.
He is not a 'tub-thumper', an exhorter.
he does not 'finger-wag' us into 'salvation'.
Listen to him saying, over and over again,
"Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest!!"
Then, go to him.
You WILL be comforted,
(even if it is with a crook and a staff!
He knows that sometimes that's just what we need.)
(The crook is to rescue us when we have gone astray,
to pull us out of the messes and pits of life into which we can so easily fall
and the staff is to lead us in the right direction when we are lost.)
Above all, DO NOT BE AFRAID!!
He stands, with arms wide open,
waiting for us to approach him.
He is not a 'tub-thumper', an exhorter.
he does not 'finger-wag' us into 'salvation'.
Listen to him saying, over and over again,
"Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest!!"
Then, go to him.
You WILL be comforted,
(even if it is with a crook and a staff!
He knows that sometimes that's just what we need.)
(The crook is to rescue us when we have gone astray,
to pull us out of the messes and pits of life into which we can so easily fall
and the staff is to lead us in the right direction when we are lost.)
Above all, DO NOT BE AFRAID!!
Friday, 3 March 2017
About the truth which surrounds us
Truth is all around us,
suspended on the airwaves.
If only we could reach out and touch it,
it would enter our hearts and minds
and connect us to the infinity of God.
suspended on the airwaves.
If only we could reach out and touch it,
it would enter our hearts and minds
and connect us to the infinity of God.
Thursday, 2 March 2017
Sunday, 26 February 2017
Another 'going with God' thought
If we travel on God's train,
we will always be in (God's) good time.
we will always be in (God's) good time.
Saturday, 25 February 2017
About being seriously ill in hospital
This post was written on 25.2.17 and has lain in draft ever since. I've read it through and think it's more or less ok to post, so better late than never! Hopefully, it might be food for thought for others who find themselves in similar situations.
In the early hours of Sunday, 5th Feb, 2017, having had an excruciating pain under my right ribs, a 111 call and the lovely lady's call to paramedics brought me to hospital where I was found to have 'severe pneumonia', sepsis and jaundice and, what I would now call a high level of 'mental and emotional strain'.
On Wednesday afternoon, 15th Feb, I came home having had 11 days of the most amazing treatment and care from the (approximately 12) doctors, nurses and caring staff of the Royal Stoke hospital. Rather like the 'tombstone' joke (The inscription reads, "I told you I was ill), I actually was ill. It has taught me a great lesson.
On the very first day, as I lay in A and E, which was an absolutely marvellous experience for me, the so-called infamous 'trolleys' being, surprise, surprise, nothing like Tesco trolleys, but actually, perfectly comfortable padded black trolley/beds; the lovely junior doctor, Tiffany, rushing about finding test results and the like, coming back with the senior Dr, putting me in the picture, I knew that everything that had caused me this stress had to go.
In as far as it lay in my power to do so, I decided that I would never allow anything to put my health in such jeopardy again. The 'anythings' were mostly voluntary 'good works' but when body, mind, emotions and God finally get through, they tell us when enough is enough and that there comes a time when we have to sort out our priorities, and that is what I did; all that has gone.
As I lay there, thinking these thoughts, it came to me that what I've always wanted to do is write and that's what I'm now free to do. I haven't been up to it until today but here I am now, writing in the daytime and not, as usual, when I've had to snatch a late half-hour; so hopefully, this is the beginning of the rest of my life!! I wrote some things in hospital and when the energy returns, I'll try to write them as posts.
PS The effort to do as I hoped above is still a work in progress because life does get in the way of our best intentions and resolutions all the time but at least we can all keep trying.
In the early hours of Sunday, 5th Feb, 2017, having had an excruciating pain under my right ribs, a 111 call and the lovely lady's call to paramedics brought me to hospital where I was found to have 'severe pneumonia', sepsis and jaundice and, what I would now call a high level of 'mental and emotional strain'.
On Wednesday afternoon, 15th Feb, I came home having had 11 days of the most amazing treatment and care from the (approximately 12) doctors, nurses and caring staff of the Royal Stoke hospital. Rather like the 'tombstone' joke (The inscription reads, "I told you I was ill), I actually was ill. It has taught me a great lesson.
On the very first day, as I lay in A and E, which was an absolutely marvellous experience for me, the so-called infamous 'trolleys' being, surprise, surprise, nothing like Tesco trolleys, but actually, perfectly comfortable padded black trolley/beds; the lovely junior doctor, Tiffany, rushing about finding test results and the like, coming back with the senior Dr, putting me in the picture, I knew that everything that had caused me this stress had to go.
In as far as it lay in my power to do so, I decided that I would never allow anything to put my health in such jeopardy again. The 'anythings' were mostly voluntary 'good works' but when body, mind, emotions and God finally get through, they tell us when enough is enough and that there comes a time when we have to sort out our priorities, and that is what I did; all that has gone.
As I lay there, thinking these thoughts, it came to me that what I've always wanted to do is write and that's what I'm now free to do. I haven't been up to it until today but here I am now, writing in the daytime and not, as usual, when I've had to snatch a late half-hour; so hopefully, this is the beginning of the rest of my life!! I wrote some things in hospital and when the energy returns, I'll try to write them as posts.
PS The effort to do as I hoped above is still a work in progress because life does get in the way of our best intentions and resolutions all the time but at least we can all keep trying.
Tuesday, 17 January 2017
An invitation from Jesus to you
"Behold, I stand at the (your) door and knock:
if anyone (you) hears (hear) my voice and opens his (open your) door to me,
I will enter in and dine with him (you),
and he (you) with me. (Revelation 3:20)
This invitation is deeply connected with the vivid painting by Holman Hunt, called, "The Light of the World" which depicts Jesus knocking on a door. The key point to notice is the lack of a handle on the outside. The meaning is that Jesus does not impose himself on us. He knocks. If we wish him to enter, we have to 'open the door to him' from the inside.
These are my recent reflections.
Jesus doesn't say he will come in and 'visit' us! He says he will dine with us. He brings no food with him. He will share our food, however poor or rich it may be. He will take us as he finds us. He will share our lives just as they are. We don't have to put on a show for him or be anything other than who we really are. In fact, it wouldn't work if we received him in any other way.
All he brings is a lamp - and himself. If we allow him to enter, that lamp will illuminate our lives forever. The person holding the lamp will always be at our side, always sharing our meals, always picking us up when we fall, always sending his spirit to comfort and console us, his angels to guard and guide us, always leading us towards his and our loving Father in heaven.
Why wouldn't we open that door if we really knew this truth.
if anyone (you) hears (hear) my voice and opens his (open your) door to me,
I will enter in and dine with him (you),
and he (you) with me. (Revelation 3:20)
This invitation is deeply connected with the vivid painting by Holman Hunt, called, "The Light of the World" which depicts Jesus knocking on a door. The key point to notice is the lack of a handle on the outside. The meaning is that Jesus does not impose himself on us. He knocks. If we wish him to enter, we have to 'open the door to him' from the inside.
These are my recent reflections.
Jesus doesn't say he will come in and 'visit' us! He says he will dine with us. He brings no food with him. He will share our food, however poor or rich it may be. He will take us as he finds us. He will share our lives just as they are. We don't have to put on a show for him or be anything other than who we really are. In fact, it wouldn't work if we received him in any other way.
All he brings is a lamp - and himself. If we allow him to enter, that lamp will illuminate our lives forever. The person holding the lamp will always be at our side, always sharing our meals, always picking us up when we fall, always sending his spirit to comfort and console us, his angels to guard and guide us, always leading us towards his and our loving Father in heaven.
Why wouldn't we open that door if we really knew this truth.
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