Easter Greetings

Phew, life in the parish has returned to a more reasonable pace. An instant reflection of the holy week/triduum: not so much busy as in lots and lots of frenetic things to be accomplished so much as stress getting it right, worthily, responding to the dignity of the occasion; that sort of thing.

Happy Easter to one and all. I was struck, indeed preached on, the fact that we move immediately from the resurrection on Easter Sunday to Pentecost. As though the purpose of the resurrection is the outpouring of the Spirit. There is no time to be sat idly reflecting on what the Father has done for us through the Son, rather we are driven in response and guided by the Spirit. In other words what we have received, we pass on. To be a good christian, is to live as a good christian. By their fruits you shall know them.

This period of 'quiet' proves an excellent opportunity to catch up on relationships that may have suffered in recent times. Therefore, I will not spend hours on this machine, so much as get out there and be with people. Nonetheless, let us pray for one another through this most holy season. It is, most especially in this octave of Easter, a chance to reflect on just how wonderful is the gift of life, to gift of faith and, indeed, the gift of communion.

Communion on Good Friday

Someone was asking me why we receive Communion on Good Friday, of all days, when there is no Eucharist celebrated. I was a bit stuck for an answer, and wondered what your views are. I read a few interesting comments on an EWTN thread, here. There is also a little history here including the tradition of the Mass of the Presanctified. As ever, I now feel more informed, and will give a better answer next time, but what do you think? What would you think if there were no Communion at the solemn liturgy on Good Friday?

The God of Communication and Communion

Reading the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI’s Message for World Communications Day 2009, I was struck by the need for each and every one of us to reach out and speak our truth. This truth, of course, is THE truth of Jesus Christ. When I say "of course", many people will say this is my opinion. Some of my friends may even accuse me of being brain-washed by the Church, as though I am not capable of thinking for myself.

I am encouraged that the Pope urges "we must not allow ourselves to be deceived by those who see us merely as consumers in a market of undifferentiated possibilities, where choice itself becomes the good, novelty usurps beauty, and subjective experience displaces truth". Sometimes I am deceived into valuing subjective experience over truth. It is easy to become despondent in a world of noise and hard to see the truth.

In the final paragraph of the message, we read: "Human hearts are yearning for a world where love endures, where gifts are shared, where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and where identity is found in respectful communion". Who cannot agree with this statement? It seems clear, therefore, that regardless of your faith, belief or opinion, if you agree with this statement then there must be something objective beyond yourself.

It is to this communion that the Pope encourages us, that we may find our identity. To boldly reach out and take our place. As he says, introduce the values on which we have built our lives. It's good to be a part of this world of blogging. Thank you for all you offer. Let us know the values upon which you have built your life.