Our journey through Lent is speeding by. The changing hour of the clock is a clear sign that it is nearly over. It is a very special time of grace if we are faithful to our Lenten journey. The way of the cross, the stations of the cross have a most important role to play. Each year, one of my very strongest memories is my dad making the stations of the cross after mass during Lent, because he had much suffering in his life. It is a very fitting memory when aligned with the hope “after this our exile will be a welcome to our true home in heaven”. We now have the stations of the resurrection at St Wilfrid’s, once when I was doing the rounds of the stations they merged for me at the 13th station “Jesus is taken down from the cross”. This became a real sign of hope when my eyes turned to the station of the resurrection “Mary and the Apostles pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit”. The disciples set about preparing for Pentecost “little did they know then what was in store for them”. The Holy Spirit came upon them “in tongues of fire”.
At the same time it revealed a thought, maybe an attitude on my part “the day of Pentecost never came”. When I was first ordained the Pentecostal movement, with marriage encounter Taizé and its prayer seemed to be flourishing with a promise of great things to come. So after my first parish I had a minor sabbatical, a great window of experience…. most of it spent in America, where there was a lot of good experiences in the life of the church. Now, in the light of our present experience, I feel the institutional church did not embrace the “Spirit of the times”. After the 2nd Vatican Council with the closing of so many seminaries, and a closing of hearts to so many, promising sighs of spring. Now I look forward to new life, the Synod opens the way if it is allowed to bring new life, a new Spring. Remember seeds take time and the right environment to prosper and grow. Please God, this will happen for us this Spring.
The second failure is actually two fold. We have received “Missio” The Red Boxes, which over the years has played a good part in our “giving” and supporting new life in the church. The material stimulate new hope “build a vibrant catholic church for the future”. Also, the material used by St George’s church for confirmation preparation “The Alpha” youth discussion guide. Hearing words of Deacon John’s excellent way of the cross, with the richness of the story, the script, the seeds are there. It calls for the response. So members in attendance were very disappointing. Sincerely this time last week I had intended to attend, but a circumstance from the pandemic turned up and took priority. It was something important …. So prayers for guidance and who can give the best guidance “only the Holy Spirit”. Let us this year prepare for Pentecost.
