The two greatest planks in the framework of my religious faith
are belief in and love for the Blessed Trinity and the Holy Family.
Jesus is the link between the two,
as Son of the Father,
and, through the Holy Spirit,
son of Mary
and foster-son of Joseph.
Sunday, 24 November 2019
Thursday, 10 October 2019
Saturday, 5 October 2019
About being seriosly 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.
Friday, 20 September 2019
About a loose brick in the dam of our lives
Many years ago now, a priest gave me an analogy of how the smallest misdemeanour can gradually lead on to more and more serious errors.
Imagine a really strong dam; then imagine that someone comes along and dislodges just one brick. The water will begin to seep into the mortar and this will slowly start to crumble.
How much easier will it be then to dislodge the next brick and the next and so on! Eventually, the dam will be breached and the flood gates will be opened.
Some years ago, I remember hearing a report about a postal worker who was in debt due to a gambling habit. He began to open mail when he thought there was money inside.
The first time was probably quite scary but before long, it became a habit. Suspicions were aroused and when investigated, he was found to have hundreds of opened letters in his house and was imprisoned.
How easy it is to see this process at work. Once we step over the bounds of our own values, maybe a loss of self-respect begins to creep in and the acknowledgement of wrongdoing becomes numbed.
Thank God that there is always the possibility of redemption. For some people, this seems to come only when a crisis or catastrophe occurs.
For others, something or someone may bring into their lives an awareness of the blind alley along which they are heading.
For some, maybe this will only come in the next life - but we can always rely on the infinite mercy and justice of God to give us the opportunity to make amends and to put things right.
Personally, I believe that completely.
Imagine a really strong dam; then imagine that someone comes along and dislodges just one brick. The water will begin to seep into the mortar and this will slowly start to crumble.
How much easier will it be then to dislodge the next brick and the next and so on! Eventually, the dam will be breached and the flood gates will be opened.
Some years ago, I remember hearing a report about a postal worker who was in debt due to a gambling habit. He began to open mail when he thought there was money inside.
The first time was probably quite scary but before long, it became a habit. Suspicions were aroused and when investigated, he was found to have hundreds of opened letters in his house and was imprisoned.
How easy it is to see this process at work. Once we step over the bounds of our own values, maybe a loss of self-respect begins to creep in and the acknowledgement of wrongdoing becomes numbed.
Thank God that there is always the possibility of redemption. For some people, this seems to come only when a crisis or catastrophe occurs.
For others, something or someone may bring into their lives an awareness of the blind alley along which they are heading.
For some, maybe this will only come in the next life - but we can always rely on the infinite mercy and justice of God to give us the opportunity to make amends and to put things right.
Personally, I believe that completely.
Tuesday, 17 September 2019
About who lands up in heaven
As far as I'm concerned, any 'good' person is on the way to heaven, no matter what label the world places around his or her neck.
Goodness is akin to 'Godness' in my books, and as if you, God, wouldn't let one of your own in - unthinkable!
Goodness is akin to 'Godness' in my books, and as if you, God, wouldn't let one of your own in - unthinkable!
A prayer about living among weeds and wheat
We all live
in a world of weeds and wheat.
Help us, O God, to eat of the wheat
and avoid the weeds
as best we can.
Sunday, 15 September 2019
A prayer about the talents we have and the talents we lack
Help us each day, O Lord,
not to bemoan the talents we lack
but to give thanks for, and use, the talents we have.
not to bemoan the talents we lack
but to give thanks for, and use, the talents we have.
Saturday, 10 August 2019
About the Blessed Sacrament and the Holy Trinity
The Blessed Sacrament is not only the real presence of Jesus,
but also of the Holy Trinity,
because the Father and the Son are one.
To see Jesus is to see his Father.
because the Father and the Son are one.
To see Jesus is to see his Father.
and the Sacred Host becomes and is Jesus,
through the ever-present power of the Holy Spirit.
through the ever-present power of the Holy Spirit.
Friday, 9 August 2019
About singing from the same hymn sheet
It is so wonderful to find someone with whom this is true,
both literally - and metaphorically!
both literally - and metaphorically!
About submission, freeedom and slavery
Submission chosen is freedom.
Submission enforced is slavery.
Submission enforced is slavery.
Thursday, 8 August 2019
A prayer about the wonder of the world
Help us, dear Lord, each morning,
to awake to the wonder of the world.
to awake to the wonder of the world.
Saturday, 3 August 2019
About Jesus coming to us and our going to him
Jesus, you came to us through the mothering of Mary
and she brings us to you through her mothering of us.
Thank you, God, for the gift of mothering.
and she brings us to you through her mothering of us.
Thank you, God, for the gift of mothering.
Friday, 2 August 2019
On the presentation of the child Jesus in the temple
How did the Temple exalt
when Jesus was carried over its threshold by Mary and Joseph;
the fulfilment of the Old Testament
and the promise of the New?
Did the pillars and stones shout for joy?
when Jesus was carried over its threshold by Mary and Joseph;
the fulfilment of the Old Testament
and the promise of the New?
Did the pillars and stones shout for joy?
Friday, 26 July 2019
About Jesus and swimming lessons
Husband (H), despite being a naturally sporty person from boyhood, has always had a problem with swimming. I think there was an early years incident at the swimming pool which seemed to have put him off.
When daughter no 2 decided to take lessons at the local pool, H decided to give it a go to keep her company. They were not making great progress but were persevering
One Saturday morning, an older gentleman took the place of the usual teachers. He had been teaching people to swim since his days in the army.
Unlike the girls, who would stand at the side calling instructions, he was in the water alongside them. I happened to be there to observe the miracle of H swimming a width!
It made me think of the difference between all the prophets and wise people who have tried to talk sense to us by calling from the sidelines, to little permanent avail, and Jesus, who jumped down from heaven to swim in the water alongside us all.
Now there's a swimming teacher for all times!
When daughter no 2 decided to take lessons at the local pool, H decided to give it a go to keep her company. They were not making great progress but were persevering
One Saturday morning, an older gentleman took the place of the usual teachers. He had been teaching people to swim since his days in the army.
Unlike the girls, who would stand at the side calling instructions, he was in the water alongside them. I happened to be there to observe the miracle of H swimming a width!
It made me think of the difference between all the prophets and wise people who have tried to talk sense to us by calling from the sidelines, to little permanent avail, and Jesus, who jumped down from heaven to swim in the water alongside us all.
Now there's a swimming teacher for all times!
About becoming like little children
In the same way that a baby can do nothing for itself and has to rely on others,
so must we, spiritually, become like little children',
relying on and trusting in our divine parents.
They will not let us down.
They will not let us down.
Thursday, 25 July 2019
About why Jesus came to us
You were on high
but you came down to be with us,
to reach out and touch us
in our lives and loves
because you knew we needed you.
We need you still and always will.
Thank you for being with us forever,
even when we can't feel your presence.
Help us to know that you are always by our side.
but you came down to be with us,
to reach out and touch us
in our lives and loves
because you knew we needed you.
We need you still and always will.
Thank you for being with us forever,
even when we can't feel your presence.
Help us to know that you are always by our side.
Tuesday, 11 June 2019
A prayer about giving our all
Jesus, you gave your all
for us all.
Help us always
to aim to give our all
to all who come our way,
both near and faraway.
for us all.
Help us always
to aim to give our all
to all who come our way,
both near and faraway.
Friday, 24 May 2019
About finding God in everything
My desire, in these writings, is to try to make real and to communicate the immensity of the love of God for each and every one of us and for the whole of creation.
I look around me and I find, in everything, in every cloud, in every blade of grass, in the blue of the sky, in every drop of rain, an awareness of the reality of the existence of God.
It is this that I long to share.
I look around me and I find, in everything, in every cloud, in every blade of grass, in the blue of the sky, in every drop of rain, an awareness of the reality of the existence of God.
It is this that I long to share.
Thursday, 23 May 2019
About making the world a better place
The only way we can make the world a better place
is by being a better person ourselves.
is by being a better person ourselves.
Wednesday, 22 May 2019
About being beloved by God
If only we could know how much we are beloved by God,
it would surely lift and raise our spirits,
however low we might feel at times.
it would surely lift and raise our spirits,
however low we might feel at times.
About misery and joy
Misery begets misery
and joy begets joy.
May we all try to develop our capacity for joy
and resist misery wherever we can.
One thing we can always try to do is to smile at people whenever we can.
Almost invariably, they will smile back.
and joy begets joy.
May we all try to develop our capacity for joy
and resist misery wherever we can.
One thing we can always try to do is to smile at people whenever we can.
Almost invariably, they will smile back.
Monday, 20 May 2019
About the only message we need to share
The only message that we need to give to everyone is this.
God loves us.
God has loved us into and holds us in existence.
God cares about and for us, no matter where we are or what we have done.
God is always there for us.
What we all need to learn to do is to live the very best lives we are able to live; not to throw our lives away by living in ways that cannot make us happy.
And the very best way we can do this is by trying to love and care for others in the very best way we can.
God loves us.
God has loved us into and holds us in existence.
God cares about and for us, no matter where we are or what we have done.
God is always there for us.
What we all need to learn to do is to live the very best lives we are able to live; not to throw our lives away by living in ways that cannot make us happy.
And the very best way we can do this is by trying to love and care for others in the very best way we can.
Saturday, 18 May 2019
About the God of time and place
Oh God,
you are God,
for always
and everywhere,
for all time
and in all places.
you are God,
for always
and everywhere,
for all time
and in all places.
Sunday, 28 April 2019
An Advent prayer about valleys and ridges
Lord, flatten the valleys and ridges of my heart and mind
so that you may come to me along a straight path.
so that you may come to me along a straight path.
About who Jesus is to me
Jesus, you are
my love, my life.
You are
my brother, my friend.
You are
my Saviour, my Shepherd.
You are
my Lord and my God.
my love, my life.
You are
my brother, my friend.
You are
my Saviour, my Shepherd.
You are
my Lord and my God.
Monday, 15 April 2019
Sunday, 14 April 2019
About singing 'O bread of heaven' at Communion
As I sang the second verse of this amazing hymn after Communion one Sunday morning, this line seemed to burn itself into my heart.
"God gives me life, God lives in me."
I heard it as
You give me life, you live in me.
"God gives me life, God lives in me."
I heard it as
You give me life, you live in me.
These words came to me then.
You have come into the hovel of my heart
You have come into the hovel of my heart
and turned my heart into your home.
What a wonderful thought that is.
What a wonderful thought that is.
Wednesday, 3 April 2019
A prayer when worrying about the state of the world
Dear God,
Help us to remember that we cannot change the world.
Only you can do that.
All we can do is cling to you -
and pray for the world.
Help us to remember that we cannot change the world.
Only you can do that.
All we can do is cling to you -
and pray for the world.
Sunday, 31 March 2019
About being afloat on the ocean of life
We are rowing on the raft of life.
Jesus is the cox who directs our voyage.
Only he can see the way ahead.
God's Spirit gives us the breath in our lungs
and the strength in our arms.
The Father's love is the ocean on which we float
and the horizon to which we are steered.
Jesus is the cox who directs our voyage.
Only he can see the way ahead.
God's Spirit gives us the breath in our lungs
and the strength in our arms.
The Father's love is the ocean on which we float
and the horizon to which we are steered.
About the choosing of a king - Saul or David
Honestly, you will never find a better 'good read', than the four books of the Old Testament, 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings.
Believe me, all human life is there!
The story of the choosing of a King starts at 1 Samuel, chapter 8.
(The reasons Samuel gives, v 10-22, for not having a king are hilarious, and as true today as they were then!)
First of all, the people chose Saul!
He was tall and handsome and looked like a King.
Bad choice!!
Then, God pointed them to David.
He was small, the youngest of his family,
definitely the least obvious choice!
Small boy, heart of a King!!
Believe me, all human life is there!
The story of the choosing of a King starts at 1 Samuel, chapter 8.
(The reasons Samuel gives, v 10-22, for not having a king are hilarious, and as true today as they were then!)
First of all, the people chose Saul!
He was tall and handsome and looked like a King.
Bad choice!!
Then, God pointed them to David.
He was small, the youngest of his family,
definitely the least obvious choice!
Small boy, heart of a King!!
He was a hero in so many ways -
and weak, in his failings and failures,
in so many other ways.
And yet, he was the beloved king -
because of his love, his humanity
and, ultimately, his humility.
God knew that the people expected a Saul
and not a David.
Life and history, as it pans out in those books,
showed whose choice was right!
and weak, in his failings and failures,
in so many other ways.
And yet, he was the beloved king -
because of his love, his humanity
and, ultimately, his humility.
God knew that the people expected a Saul
and not a David.
Life and history, as it pans out in those books,
showed whose choice was right!
About choosing Jesus
Jesus had to be born into a humble life
so that people could choose him for who he was
not what he had.
PS
I always feel that this must be something of a problem for, say, very rich, very beautiful or very important people. Do people 'want them' for who they are or what they possess?
I have to admit that this has not been an issue for me!
The people who have put up with me for the long, and even the short,
in some cases, haul must actually like me or they would never have stayed the course!!
so that people could choose him for who he was
not what he had.
PS
I always feel that this must be something of a problem for, say, very rich, very beautiful or very important people. Do people 'want them' for who they are or what they possess?
I have to admit that this has not been an issue for me!
The people who have put up with me for the long, and even the short,
in some cases, haul must actually like me or they would never have stayed the course!!
Monday, 4 March 2019
Some sad images
There is a baby dying of starvation.
Are there no hands reaching out?
An old lady is dying of loneliness.
Are there no neighbours stepping in?
Are there no hands reaching out?
An old lady is dying of loneliness.
Are there no neighbours stepping in?
About sitting in prayer
When I am sitting in prayer, I try to remember that I have
You, Father surrounding me,
you, Jesus beside me,
and you, Holy Spirit within me.
You, Father surrounding me,
you, Jesus beside me,
and you, Holy Spirit within me.
Sunday, 10 February 2019
About 'Our Father' - the most amazing phrase in the whole of the Bible
This, for me, is those two words spoken by Jesus in answer to the request from his closest followers to teach them how to pray. They are the simplest of words, known throughout the world as the start of the Lord's Prayer or the 'Our Father.'
It is so easy for us to take them for granted but when you really think about them there is so much there to ponder.
First of all, there is the simple word 'Our'. Somehow we know that Jesus is not simply referring to the particular group of people who were with him at that particular moment. We just know that it is for all people, throughout all time and in every place and not just for those brief thirty-three years of his life spent in the Palestine of his time.
As to the keyword 'Father,' it is implicit in the prayer that Jesus is addressing God, his Father in heaven, the God who is our Maker who created and holds the universe in existence. So for Jesus to combine all of us with him in relationship to his and, therefore, our Father too is truly amazing.
How comforting, consoling and strengthening is that. No matter what are our failings and failures, our despair and grief, our poor attempts to do better, God the Father is the Father of Jesus and OUR FATHER too. We are all linked to Jesus as his adopted brothers and sisters in the family of God forever.
As to the keyword 'Father,' it is implicit in the prayer that Jesus is addressing God, his Father in heaven, the God who is our Maker who created and holds the universe in existence. So for Jesus to combine all of us with him in relationship to his and, therefore, our Father too is truly amazing.
How comforting, consoling and strengthening is that. No matter what are our failings and failures, our despair and grief, our poor attempts to do better, God the Father is the Father of Jesus and OUR FATHER too. We are all linked to Jesus as his adopted brothers and sisters in the family of God forever.
Wednesday, 6 February 2019
About being a 'finger nails' Catholic
There were times in my life, particularly when I was a student, when I was quite happy to call myself a 'finger-nails' Catholic', just about 'hanging on in there'.
I would 'religiously' find a church and go to Mass every Sunday, as I have all my life, barring times of illness or, in recent years, whilst on touring holidays.
This has always been from choice and never from the fear of 'going to hell' when I die. However, the one thing I can say with certainty is that I have never wanted to let go.
It is my safety net, my salvation. It holds me together.
Also, I do love it!
I would 'religiously' find a church and go to Mass every Sunday, as I have all my life, barring times of illness or, in recent years, whilst on touring holidays.
This has always been from choice and never from the fear of 'going to hell' when I die. However, the one thing I can say with certainty is that I have never wanted to let go.
It is my safety net, my salvation. It holds me together.
Also, I do love it!
About God's presence in troubled times
In times of sorrow - and despair
remember God is always there.
remember God is always there.
Friday, 25 January 2019
About life and death and the moment of truth
The gate through which we must all pass at the moment of our death
will be at the end of this world of space and time.
It came to me that what we might then enter into
is the dimension of Truth.
Is it there that we shall have to come to terms and deal with
who we are and what we have done,
for good or ill or both?
Perhaps it is only when we have passed through this dimension
that we will be able to pass into the final and eternal dimension of Love.
will be at the end of this world of space and time.
It came to me that what we might then enter into
is the dimension of Truth.
Is it there that we shall have to come to terms and deal with
who we are and what we have done,
for good or ill or both?
Perhaps it is only when we have passed through this dimension
that we will be able to pass into the final and eternal dimension of Love.
Wednesday, 23 January 2019
About caring or not caring about wrongdoing
Do we care? Are we sorry? Does it bother us?
The sad people are those who don't care, aren't sorry and aren't bothered.
The sad people are those who don't care, aren't sorry and aren't bothered.
To anyone who never thinks about God
These words are obviously from the point of view of someone who does think about God - a lot - and are meant to be, and hopefully are, encouraging, supportive and consoling.
You may not think about God but God thinks about you - at every instant of your existence. In fact, if God didn't think about you, you wouldn't exist.
It is because you are a thought in 'God's head' that you do exist. God thinks about you, has loved you into, and holds you in, existence.
Any love in you is of God, from God and through God.
Any truth in you is of God, from God and through God.
Any creativity in you is of God, from God and through God.
Love, truth and creativity are in us all and are from God.
You may not think about God but God thinks about you - at every instant of your existence. In fact, if God didn't think about you, you wouldn't exist.
It is because you are a thought in 'God's head' that you do exist. God thinks about you, has loved you into, and holds you in, existence.
Any love in you is of God, from God and through God.
Any truth in you is of God, from God and through God.
Any creativity in you is of God, from God and through God.
Love, truth and creativity are in us all and are from God.
Sunday, 20 January 2019
About 'the quality of God's mercy'
The quality of God's mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath.
(cf William Shakespeare, "The Merchant of Venice")
but we put up our umbrellas,
of pride - hurt or otherwise,
stubbornness, arrogance
and the rest of them!!
They are not the pretty colours of all the 'umbrellas of Cherbourg';
no, our umbrellas are stone coloured, dirty browns and greens.
Help us, dear God, to take down our umbrellas
and turn our faces towards your gentle rain
and see the glory and splendour
of the rainbow of your love
which overarches the world
and bathes us all in its warmth.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath.
(cf William Shakespeare, "The Merchant of Venice")
but we put up our umbrellas,
of pride - hurt or otherwise,
stubbornness, arrogance
and the rest of them!!
They are not the pretty colours of all the 'umbrellas of Cherbourg';
no, our umbrellas are stone coloured, dirty browns and greens.
Help us, dear God, to take down our umbrellas
and turn our faces towards your gentle rain
and see the glory and splendour
of the rainbow of your love
which overarches the world
and bathes us all in its warmth.
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