A message from Fr John

Dear Friends

Good morning - another blessed Sunday

I came across this extraordinary poem which speaks of last week's and this week’s Gospel. It somehow gives us permission to doubt, to explore, to move beyond our narrow perceptions - and to be gentle with ourselves and others. My old friend, Patrick Purnell SJ, said that the experience of resurrection is like putting on a new suit of clothes (although I doubt if he had ever had one!) in the sense of trying it out, finding where it fits, stretching it and oneself into a new way of being oneself. It’s certainly true that resurrection implies a whole new way of living, a new way of seeing ourselves and others.

Invitation by Father Philip Chircop SJ, Malta/Canada
Stand in our midst
again, today
enter the circle of our fears
penetrate the darkness of our doubts
meet us where we are

May we listen your sung Shalom:
‘Peace be with you … Peace be with you’.
May we see your hands and your side.
May we feel the warmth
of your holy breath
softening the hardened clay
from whence we come.

Invited,
curious like a little child,
we place our trembling hands
not only your wounds
but on ours too,
and on the lovely
brokenness of others

breathing in, forgiveness
breathing out, forgiveness

wounds becoming the sacred place
of mutual compassion,
and the springboard to an intimate song
of communion and possibility
crafted in the heart:
‘our Lord, and our God.’

St Joseph, friend and guide, pray for us

Every blessing

Fr John