‘It is no coincidence that the Christian life is likened to a marathon both in the Pauline letters and in St. Benedict’s Rule. To keep running is what matters, and that, right to the end’. (Bishop Varden)
Back home now, and here I am, reliving every minute, all the time immersed in gratitude to God for myriad graces and blessings. One-time thing, no need to repeat. Fait accompli!!
Close to one hundred prayers shared. Unbelievably amazing encounters, all of them in my heart, some undoubtedly will haunt my mind and spirit for quite a while. Many distressed folk in need of kindness right now and probably every ‘right now’ until the end of time. ‘The harvest is ready’. (John 4:35)
Thinking, this morning, that I must listen more intently to Holy Spirit’s leading. Feeling deep down in my soul that I must go out!! Staying close to home is cozy and safe but perhaps time is not yet to hang my boots up!! Deep in thought when I open my Magnificat and read the following!!
‘Hence the importance of standing always ready, of being cautious with attachments, of practicing the ascetics of not lingering. Those who wish to follow Christ must be ready to get up and go. They are not to think of taking luggage. As an exhortatory climax, the warning resounds - ‘Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it…..’
From experience we know the truth of St. Bernard’s claim: “Not to move forwards on the path of life is to slide back”. Standing still is not an option. We need to stay fixed on the goal we would reach, to mobilise our will, orient our desire’. (Bishop Varden)
Wow!! Walking with Jesus, in the Gladsome Light of Holy Spirit all the way home to Father God really and truly is high adventure!! Signposts in vivid display every step of the way when we see with the eyes of our heart.
Chatting with folk who ‘got even’ with those who treated them horrendously one time. Only thing is, now they are no longer the victim, now they are the perpetrator!! So sad to see. Better to be a venerable survivor if at all possible.We must never seek revenge, hard as it might be to remain stoic in such times.
In fact ‘getting even’ allows the real perpetrator off the hook, so to speak!!
‘Vengeance is mine’, says the Lord. God sees all!! Everything comes to those who wait.
So many times I almost abandoned my prayer-sharing mission. Every time, someone or something miraculously prevented me from doing so. Happy days!!
‘Let us run ahead by our desires and by progress in virtue’. (St. Bernard)
