Corona virus and kindness…

The corona virus has brought with it so much pain and suffering and yet over and over again we also hear of acts of deeply touching kindness, generosity and selflessness. I am sure that we have all witnessed the kindness and selflessness of others and that we have tried our best to be kind too. The corona virus has impacted us all and is changing us all. Hopefully, we are learning to appreciate the true value of life and of each other, and to recognise the true meaning of service, commitment and devotion to duty. Hopefully, we are discovering the importance of reaching out to others in their times of need. A little kindness can ease the pain of loss and loneliness, it can loosen the grip of fear, it can elict a smile and even laughter, it can bring its own gentle kind òf healing.

CORONAVIRUS: A CALL FOR KINDNESS

One thing this tragic outbreak of coronavirus has surely taught us is how much we depend on each other as individuals and as nations. In the face of some shocking acts of greed and thoughtlessness can we respond with ever more care and kindness? We know that we are all more than our worst actions and if we act together we can set in motion an unstoppable flow of love.

Coronavirus: We are connected and we need each other

The rapid spread of the coronavirus around the world has shown us how interconnected we truly are and also how much we need each other. I have read wonderful stories of kindness in the middle of news of fear-driven actions and panic buying. Can we learn a lesson from this crisis and try and be a little kinder to each other? I, for one, am going to try…

To stand with Jesus in overcoming temptation

I found myself reflecting deeply on the Gospel for today, the story of the temptation of Jesus (Mt 4:1-11). The powerful story spoke to me as I thought of the way Jesus was tempted at those points where he was most vulnerable and how he was able to move beyond temptation. I realised how much I was tempted where I was most vulnerable and how much help I need to move beyond it. I took part in a sharing on the readings for Sunday last week and several of us agreed that not only do we need to stand with Jesus in overcoming temptation, we need to stand with each other. Let us stand with each, always.

Take a deep breath and count to 3 and a half

“I set before you life and death, choose life then“

Deut 30

A hundred times a day we encounter tiny choices between life and death; someone says something that I don’t like and I react; something irritates me and I make a negative comment; some funny gossip appears on my twitter feed and I make a smart comment; someone cuts in on me whilst driving and I beep the horn, anger flaring… the list goes on.

Constantly we have a choice laid before us between what is life-giving and up-building or what is is negative and hope-draining.

Today, Lord, give me the grace to pause long enough to choose life consciously in these little moments – to be thankful for what is positive and to respond with grace to the choices I meet.

LENT 2020 – TO PRAY FOR THE VULNERABLE…

Knowing that Lent is a time for prayer and reflection I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to pause and pray. I find I have a strong desire to pray for all those who are vulnerable. The vulnerable come in many forms. Some examples of vulnerability that have struck me recently are: the elderly, children, those with special needs, those who are ill, those grieving or in despair, refugees, migrants, trafficked persons, prisoners, the poor, the marginalized and those who experience discrimination. There are vulnerable people wherever we are and I am sure that I am called not only to pray but to reach out and to do whatever I can do to make life better for those I meet who are in need.

An inclusive, non-violent mindset…

Although I am filled with sadness at the inevitable arrival of Brexit I am more determined than ever to live in a way that is compassionate, thoughtful, inclusive and non-violent. While political structures help they are not the only way to ensure the creation of a better world order. We can each make a difference by the way we live, the way we speak and treat others, even by the way we think. I am reminded by Brexit that we can’t take anything for granted. It’s up to us to create a more open and inclusive world community.

The influence of a task done well

Have you ever thought about the ointment used by Mary of Bethany to anoint the feet of Jesus? What was Mary doing with that ointment? Why did she own it? Where did it come from?

I wonder if the person who made it could ever have imagined what it would be used for? Simply by doing their work carefully, mixing the ingredients, haggling the price correctly, sealing the jar well so that it wouldn’t spoil, they created the opportunity for this beautiful and intimate moment in Jesus’ life – this ‘anointing for burial’ that could not have been predicted or planned.

We are invited to the same care in the simple hidden tasks of our everyday life. We may never know their influence on others, all we can do is play our part with care and love.

Deepening faith

I am currently helping as a prayer guide for a week of guided prayer for students. It is so encouraging to see so many of them participating in this week of prayer in the midst of a very busy and stressful term. There are about 50 students taking part!

One of the things that strikes me in listening to them talk about their prayer is just how universal the desire is to deepen our relationship with God and other people. Seeking meaning, purpose, a sense of fulfillment is not just about success and outcome – it is an interior longing which unites us all.

It seems that just a tiny bit of silence and an open heart and mind is what we need!

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…

I was grateful that the Mass readings for last Sunday filled me with hope and encouragement in the face of devastating natural disasters in various parts of the world and political uncertainty in others. I took hope from the words of Isaiah which reminded us that light would dawn through the darkness. The Gospel reading from Mark 4: 12-23 also described the call of the first disciples. As I reflected on the readings it struck me that ‘light in the darkness’ also depends on us and how we respond to the call of Christ. Let us do what we can to bring help, healing and comfort to those in need.