Conversion

A while ago, I blogged about the Walk With Me series of pod casts available on the CJM website. There are a couple of 'conversion' stories from Craig and Pádraig, both students for the priesthood, based here at Oscott. They come from completely different backgrounds in terms of their finding of the Faith, each fascinating and each absorbing. The introduction, by our Rector, Mgr Crisp, invites us to think about our own journey of Faith, whilst listening to Craig's and Pádraig's tale.

Our individual journey, does, at least at first glance, seem private and individual and personal to each of us. Yet, our journey is one which is, fundamentally, shared. First with the Lord, and then with another and eventually with the whole Church. It is, whilst reflecting on my own 'individual' journey that I come to see, of course, that from the beginning, it was always a journey which was communal. Like the body of Christ which we are, as church, we are utterly dependant upon one another.

What happens to one has an effect upon each of the other parts of the body. Even if this might seem an insignificant effect, it is, nonetheless, an effect and we do not know the full extent of that effect. I suppose it is what a chaos theorist might term the butterfly effect, or even the China syndrome, for those of a 1980s background, like myself. The concept that a butterfly beats it's wings in one part of the world and a hurricane wind results elsewhere. What we consider of no effect, does in fact have a huge effect on someone else.

Whilst we are fasting, praying and giving alms throughout Lent. The temptation, to consider our meagre efforts make no difference outside our own individual world, can be strong, and we have to rely on Faith to sustain us in our darkest moments. At this point in Lent, perhaps when we have failed to be as strong as we initially hoped we might be, or even have slipped into pride that we are doing better than we had hoped, it is good to take stock and think of the effect we may already have brought about. Somewhere, the Kingdom of God is present as a direct result of the actions, or omissions, we have personally effected. You did it!

A worried man

Today, I am feeling the pressure of blogging and worrying just where I will get the time to fit it all in. I apologise to those who look forward to updates on this site, if they have not been as often as you would like. Today, therefore, I am just going to ramble, and see what comes out.

As I am typing, in the background is my Archbishop, talking about the Walk With Me series of Lenten reflections. It's a way to update and also to write a blog entry. I suppose as close as I get to multi-tasking. Having just re-read that sentence, I ought to clarify that the Archbishop is on the itunes, not in my room, obviously! He is talking of conversion, and the need for continual conversion. How appropriate. Just today I was considering the need to pray regularly for a spirit of conversion, a prayer to be made hourly, in order that every moment is offered for the building of the Kingdom.

As Henry is writing on his blog, about reading the Introduction to the Devout Life,

Therefore, Philothea, we must enlarge our contrition as much as possible, so that it may embrace everything that is connected with sin.

If we don't approach life with a heart full of contrition, then how do we move toward the unapproachable light? Only with contrition can we learn to forgive ourselves and let His light shine in all the dark places, and then conversion begins to take place as we are born anew.

Talk of Henry; I am under pressure to produce the Dean's Diary. This is an article, which I need to write, to go into this year's Osctian magazine. They are available via our website, see my previous post about this. Henry is our most noble Editor for this year's production.

Tomorrow is an extremely busy day, culminating in a public talk by Gerald O'Collins SJ, here at Oscott. If you are in the area, then you would be most welcome to come along. It starts at 8pm, is free, and you don't have to book. We end with Compline, usually about 9.30pm. Fr O'Collins is talking about"What do we really owe St. Paul?" There is more information here.

With this in mind, I'm off to pray and prepare for the day ahead.

Walk with me...

Some of the students from Oscott have helped CJM Music record a series of podcasts to accompany the Walk With Me series of Lenten prayers.

You do not hear my dulcet tones, happily, but having just listened to Ash Wednesday's offering, you are in for a treat if you take the time to follow the links and listen up.

To go directly to CJM's link, press here.

There is, of course, a booklet with daily prayers and reflections which you can use too. These are available widely across the Archdiocese in every Catholic Church. To find you nearest - follow this link.

Have a blessed and refreshing Lent.