A Thought on Sunday

  We've Only Just Begun!

From the desk of Fr Ignatius Waters CP

Sunday November 27, 2011

That’s a song, isn’t it? Maybe not! But it’s how I feel about the first Sunday of Advent. I still haven’t got used to 2011 and here we are beginning a whole new Liturgical Year, soon to be followed by the real thing. When we were children, it seemed like an eternity from one Christmas to another. Now it’s a very fast couple of months!

I know what this means – you needn’t tell me! I’ve had plenty of warning signs in recent times. For a few nights recently, despite the Horlicks, I was sleeping very poorly and feeling without energy during the day. And it was almost as if Jesus tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Now you know what some people are feeling all the time!” All the time! And I was filled with an overwhelming compassion for all people. And a keen awareness that I don’t really know what people are going through or coping with – even those close to me. I think I do but at that moment I realised I didn’t have a clue! Even when they try to tell me, I know I don’t know it as they know it and experience it every day.

Then one morning recently I looked at an old list instead of the current one and was late for the morning mass. Another dose of compassion for those who get confused! Last Sunday I sailed out in green when it should have been white for Christ the King. Then the mike took a dislike to me and played dead – just when I’d been talking about how God is trying to teach us in all that happens in life – the good and the bad! We teach best what we need to learn most!

Among the many beautiful images in this Sunday’s readings, we’re described as withered leaves and the clay in the potter’s hand. But withered or not, we are to stay awake and alert. We can never afford to rest on our laurels or think we’ve made it! The Potter is not finished with us yet. The cracks may be more obvious but they were always there. Just cleverly disguised like Hans Christian Anderson’s teapot! Hope you know that story? If not, google it. If you don’t know how to google, be humble and ask some child! Here are some lines from another song:

Ring out the bells that still can ring,

Forget the perfect sacrifice,

There’s a crack in everything,

That’s how the light gets in. (and out!) (Leonard Cohen)

So if you feel you’re cracking up in many ways, be grateful. It’s the only way we learn the really important things in life. We learn things by suffering them!

“The Lord gives, the Lord takes away. Blessed be the Lord!” (Job)

Thank you for what you’ve given me. Thank you for what you’ve taken away. Thank you for what you’ve left!