Fr Rory Writes
It felt so, so strange with so much time spent in lockdown the consolation had been the Holy Seasons, especially Easter and Pentecost. Then the directory instructs a return to the ordinary; in fact, the ninth week in ordinary time, not lighting the Pascal Candle seemed to reflect this forcefully.
Then I came to the word of God, and a reading from the 2nd Letter of St Peter, “May you have more and more grace and peace, as you come to know our Lord more and more”.
By His divine power, he has given us all the things that we need for life and true devotion, bringing us to know God himself, who has called us by his own glory and goodness. In making these gifts, he has given us the guarantee of something very great and wonderful to come… Peter 1:2-5
So, hope goes on and with it our responsibility to respond: to grow in faith and faithfulness. Please God, the way ahead will develop and grow. We have not received any guidance or instruction yet for the opening of churches, the next deanery meeting of the priests should shed some light on the way ahead.
As suggested last week, we may have a gentle introduction to return to pray together via planned and appointed visits to the memorial garden, with prayer and fellowship. Risk assessment and procedures are now in place for such events. It may make sense to bring appropriate refreshments with you. With an amount of preparation for what we may call the “new normal”, caution is important, but a sense of confidence and trust in Our Lord will be really helpful. His promise, “I am with you always”, and with the help of this we can have our lives and strengthen our faith.
Jesus goes on to say if anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him take up the cross every day, and in doing so learn from Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden light.
My sister Mary has also produced a daily prayer journal, which is food for the journey when the cross is heavy. She titles it “Love Speaks”. Relinquish all thoughts that would bring obstacles on your path. Focus instead on the light that leads you forward. The artisan leaves down the tools that no longer serve a purpose, to pick up those that best serve the next stage, open up your heart in faith and trust and I will show the way to new pastures.
The one who plants and the one who waters, work to the same end and the Lord will repay each accordingly to their work: 1 Corinthians 3: 8-9