22nd June 2020

Yesterday’s Gospel was about not being afraid and trusting in our God. It made me think about old times where Saints were martyred for their belief.Today we live in a world where we wouldn’t ask people to die for their beliefs. We have learned over the centuries, and are still learning, to listen to others, to respect different belief systems and hopefully have that same dignity reciprocated. We all understand differences, we see it in our families and friends point of views, and with love and respect we accept, we may argue our point, but hopefully in the end we agree to disagree.

Throughout this virus, that has changed so much for us in ‘our everyday’,we have seen so much good. The protection of life and caring for others has been evident over the weeks. We have been entertained and inspired by many heroic endeavours that have moved us as a nation and around the world. So much good, bringing us healing and hope alongside a subconscious message of ‘do not be afraid’.As each day has passed we have been encouraged by our family, friends, neighbours,colleagues, people on TV and radio. I am sure many of us who have, and still make the safe and well calls to parents also share this common ground of all being in this together, and that camaraderie of togetherness and support brings us comfort that we will get through this.

We are asked to follow our convictions that are true to being a follower of Christ. And in doing so we hear the same messages that martyrs, people of faith,and the disciples have heard in this Gospel of not being afraid, trusting that God is with us always, despite sometimes in our lives we are not sure where we are going or doing the right thing.

Thomas Merton a Trappist monk, and also was one of the most well-known Catholic writers of the 20th century wrote this prayer on trusting God.

"My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that 1 am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."

Amen