Where have you been?

This question was asked of me, since I have blogged so little in recent days, by an interested party. The answer: about the missions, my dear boy, about the missions! Perhaps, in sympathy with the Lord upon being found in the Temple, I'm surprised that I was even asked, since it is clear to me that I have been busy in the parish. How often we forget to communicate, though. How often we make assumptions that others are able to read our minds, or can, some how, telepathically know what we are doing.

It has been a most humbling few days. Truly wonderful and a foretaste, I hope, of the years that lay ahead of me. I have preached, last weekend, on reconciliation and this has had a most profound impression upon my own prayer life. It has led me to think about how we think about sin. What it means to sin and how we judge others whom we assume, almost certainly wrongly, to be better or worse than ourselves. The many people I have talked to about this very issue have felt quite confident to put themselves down and assume that they are far worse sinners than their neighbours. It's left me thinking that people, perhaps, need to love themselves a little more. Maybe allow Jesus to do the judging and assume that they are doing the best that they can.

Also, during the week, I've be wined and dined by some wonderful parishoners who asked only that I said some prayers at their late husbands' graves. What a fantastic and special privilege to be asked! You get fed for this, folks, too. Don't tell me a cleric's life is hard. I was just so touched to be asked to do it, and so pleased that I was able. Listening to their combined wisdom and experience and humility was wonderful. Between them that had over 200 years of humanity under their collective belt. Talk about a lot to learn from them. Thanks, you know who you are. You are amazing, and I hope that I lived up to the cost of a Naked Gourmet Burger, even if the thought of a man in a collar ordering anything naked did cause a titter!

Finally, I've been able to catch up with a friend for a curry. If you are going to be in Wolverhampton - get yourself to Jivan's in town. The most fantastic curry is to be had. What was wonderful? It's easier to list the reasons why it was one of the best nights I've had in a long time

• the food was great
• heat(spiciness) just perfect
• it was cheap (£17.70 for two of us, todos)
• fantastic company
• great chat (deep, deep stuff)
• rough part of town
• just wooden seat (uncomfortable, but worth it)
• acute indigestion at 4am (it must've been good)
• still making me smile 24 hours later

Enjoy life, it's almost Easter, though manic amounts to be achieved before then. Eek!

Goodbye, yellow brick road

An interesting choice for a title, don't you think? I'm not sure what attracted me to this particular thought, save to say that I wanted to say something about leaving Oscott and going on placement. It is, at least in my mind at the time of writing, the song from Elton John's 7th studio album. It is, indeed, the album title. Whilst I was surfing around for a suitable picture, I came across an interesting comment about the song.

The song, specifically the yellow brick road, is a reference to The Wizard of Oz. Let me quote from songfacts.com, the note:

The Yellow Brick Road is an image taken from the movie The Wizard of Oz. In the movie, Dorothy and her friends follow the yellow brick road in search of the magical Wizard of Oz, only to find they had what they were looking for all along.

Whilst I reflect on leaving Oscott (which is, after all, only temporary) then it seems very apt to talk of searching for some magic. I think about priesthood and all that my life will entail, and I seek the all-seeing, all-knowing solution to life. The thing that will get me through. I hear you calling out - stop it already! I know it is God, I know. Sometimes, just sometimes, it is nice to search and find rather than not even bother setting out from home at all because you know the answers. Does that make sense? Of course it doesn't, but I hope you know what I mean. Even though, like Dorothy and the others, that which we seek was with us all along, it often takes the journey to find it.

So, what do I mean? I'm far from home, excited and ready for the challenge/journey. So, bring it on! The answer is already within, but boy do I intend to enjoy the searching.

Generally speaking...

Tomorrow, I start my parish placement as a Deacon. It is the second time I will be in the parish, having been there last summer, immediately following my ordination to the transitional diaconate. It will be interesting to observe the differences, both from my perspective as well as from the priest/parish, having now grown in confidence. I no longer feel nervous, all of the time, before mass, I feel more confident in leading prayers and, whilst I have always been assured in public speaking, feel able to hold my own in matters of faith. Let's see what unfolds over the coming month. The placement is designed to be the busiest in the parish/church year, including the end of Lent, Holy Week, the Triduum, and the first week of Easter. Then it is holidays again!

This evening, I read an interesting article from Thinking Faith, the online journal of the British Jesuits, by Helen Costigane SHCJ. Entitled, Why excommunication?, the author considers the history of excommunication and, rightly, begins: 'The remission of the excommunication has the same aim as that of the punishment: namely, to invite the four Bishops once more to return.’ Costigane conclude "Nevertheless, the removal of the penalty can in no way be seen as an endorsement of Richardson’s views, either on the Second Vatican Council or on the Holocaust." Most interesting!

And, finally, this evening I was also involved in a presentation with Craig regarding Caravaggio. Roger has developed a series of lectures/discussions concerning the interface of culture and faith and, as a student body, we have been invited to participate in any way we feel able. Craig and I, it seems, share a love of the great master. Enthused, therefore, we happily gave a brief talk on Caravaggio, and then enjoyed the socialising and discussion which followed. There were several interesting contributions. An interesting one to note is the hand of Peter below the hand of Christ in the calling of Matthew. You notice how it is almost, but not quite, the same as Christ's, which in turn is the same hand as that of God in the creation of man on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. A fascinating artist. Much tortured soul and much the greatest artist to have lived, IMHO.