This is what’s on my mind…

All the advice for Lent that now pops up on my screen, from the various social media, led me to indulge in some serious introspection. Lent should be a time to re-learn how to be Christian. And how does one do that? Simple. Follow Jesus. Two thousand years of history and human interference (strong word, but I mean it!) have added layers that sometimes obscure the real person. But we can find him in the Gospel.

What is there about Jesus that we can emulate? For me there are three things: Jesus interacted with people, He led a simple lifestyle and He loved unconditionally.

Jesus reached out to everyone he came in touch with. He spoke to them, listened and answered their questions. Today, we hardly find time to interact with our own family in our own homes. We need to reconnect.

Jesus was unencumbered by material possessions. I am, too, afflicted by the ‘I want’ syndrome! Each time I clean up house, I remind myself that less is better. Then, when I go out I see something I like, money in the pocket is spent on one more acquisition. It’s time to let go of things that tie me down. Yes, possessions do that! (I’ll make books and my crochet stuff an exception to that good intention!!).

The last is a toughie. Love unconditionally? But there are so many ‘buts’ in that one. I’ll try all the same. If I begin at the beginning, with the first one, perhaps following Jesus, step by step, will be easy as one-two-three after all.

Have a blessed Lent.

An internet evangelist…

Why is it that inspiration strikes in the most inconvenient moments? I get visited by a host of ideas either when I’m stirring onions on the stove, visiting the loo or dropping off to sleep; in any event, there is no keyboard to hand. By the time I’m able to boot the comp, the thoughts have flown and it is almost impossible to recapture the freshness of the original idea.

Today, I was musing over a number of happenings, emails, communications, conversations and things to do – a very usual beginning to my day. My first task since Lent began is to post, to our parish blog, a discourse on the readings of the day together with a prayer and an action plan – the work of a dynamic, straight-to-the-heart-of-the-matter, no-holds-barred priest in our parish. This gives me the opportunity to read twice over and reflect and also feel that twinge of discomfort. And I return to that endless question – why am I here? I look at others around me as they stride confidently into the day – purposeful in all that they do. They know exactly where they are going and what they will achieve.

When goals are material ones, they are easy to identify, to work towards and to realise (particularly if you believe that the universe conspires to give you your heart’s desire!!). But, if you are lucky, life hands out a reality check. Suddenly, you realise that there are other goals. Ones that are not so clear; in fact, they are a little blurry. Now, I step out diffidently, one feeling step at a time and I have to ask for guidance – is this where I place my foot? What is it that I am really called to do?

There is no thunderclap from the clouds, or a voice from heaven (today’s environment is very noisy compared to that of the Old Testament – noisy enough to muffle the thunderclap!). Instead, there will be an email with a request or a phone call regarding something that needs to be done, a request for involvement in a ministry, a cry from someone who is lonely or misunderstood, a visit to share joy or bring one another upto date. A signposted path and small steps that take me through the day.

And there are bonus strides: all the opportunities to share on Facebook and blogs the happenings and events, the interactions, the ability to use the written word and know that others read. To forward the message of the Gospels and to urge others to share it too – in thought, word and deed. To know that somewhere a seed is sown that might bear fruit. To recount examples and experiences of how some are making a difference. To feel God’s direction in my life (even though God does not always sound or look like I expect Him to!)

Does this make me an internet evangelist? Is this my role? I’d love to think so!

Zapped by the Mass

The first Mass on Sundays is usually a sleepy affair. Very early morning, a sparse congregation and an accommodating celebrant make this possible.

Today, the Priest was young and energetic. He took us through the prayers so clearly and briskly that we had to wake up to keep up! He also threw in a sermon that was a perfect kiss – he kept it interesting, short and sweet. The experience spun me a bit out of kilter and my first thought was ‘Why is Father on horseback?’ but the outcome was a feeling of exhilaration: I was zapped by the unaccustomed freshness and a homily that I could take home in my heart.

When I once questioned the very brief sermons he used to deliver, a wise old priest told me that the ‘sermon’ was already there in the Gospel. Where, then, was the need for a long-winded discourse? Today’s homily jogged that statement out of hibernation: read the ‘Good Book’, hear the message, heed the instructions, ‘come and see’, bear witness. A simple formula for daily Christian living!

My first reaction was that this celebration would have been more appropriate for the youth who look for relevance in the Sunday obligation. Then I thought again. Perhaps we were meant to be roused to the ‘youthfulness’ that makes one eager to face the day. For once, I was not anxious to rush home and keep that appointment with a hot cup of tea. I just had to pass on the experience.

So, as we step out of Christmas and a little further into the New Year, I share this message with which we were sent forth: May you feel alive as never before and may your energy be contagious – share the Word, live the Word and God go with you.

Words are what I have

Thanks to technology and the media, I was able to watch President Obama’s swearing-in in its entirety. One of the highlights of the occasion was the reading of Praise Song for the Day by its composer Elizabeth Alexander. For me, the words which stood out sharply were, “We encounter each other in words. Words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed, words to consider, reconsider…”.

Communication is how we touch each other, especially over the distances that separate us. And we communicate using words. I love words – written, spoken, sung. And because I love them so, I have over the years accumulated those that hold a special appeal. My scrapbooks are a collection of quotations, poems, lyrics and extracts culled from all that I have read and encountered and are a source of solace, humour and inspiration. A precious resource worth more than silver and gold! I look forward to sharing the nuggets and gems in future posts.

And, while we are between weeks, here is a pertinent selection from my collection:

Week Daze – R.H. Grenville

Monday is a bread day

Rather than a cake day,

A back-to-work, want-to-shirk,

Slow-to-yawn-awake day.

Tuesday, Wed- and Thursdays

Are depends-on-what-occurs days.

But Friday is a fat day,

A gay day; is that day

When ready money jingles

And anticipation tingles

Towards Saturday and Sunday,

The wine-and-dine and fun days

The lazy lie-abed days,

Leading to the lead day,

The duty-must-be-done day.

I long to sleep through

Monday!

(And this was written long before the acronym TGIF made its appearance!!)

God bless your weekend and the Monday.