Trinity Sunday

Elizabeth Johnson describes the Trinity as a flowering plant with its deep invisible root (God) its green stem reaching into the world from that root (Son), and its flower (Spirit) which opens to spread beauty and fragrance and to fructify the earth with fruit and seed. And it is all the one living plant.


We are invited into community with God, to take our place at the table and embrace the relationship that is offered to us. God is community, a community built on love in all its forms. As we bless ourselves today, remember that we are symbolising that great mystery of God, that community of persons, the relationships of love that we are invited into, relationships of giving and receiving, relationships of community and life.

May 19th Pentecost (John 20:19-23)

We can probably recall times when we were afraid, bewildered, felt like everything was falling apart and the doors were firmly locked. Today’s Gospel shows us that even in those difficult times, there is always hope. Jesus came and stood amongst the disciples even though the doors were firmly closed. The peace that he gives them (Shalom) has a much more significant meaning than we first think. The peace that Jesus offers is a peace that this world cannot offer. It is a peace that comes from a loving relationship with God. It is a peace of body, of mind and of spirit.


In John’s Gospel the account of Pentecost is a lot less dramatic than Luke’s version. The Holy Spirit comes gently, in a breath. John emphasises the importance of forgiveness in the mission to come. The disciples are being sent out to reconcile people to God, to restore relationships in the world. Forgiveness is costly but it has the power to transform people and heals destruction in the world, it offer that peace, that Shalom. It is through the Spirit that God is present to us in the world, doors are opened, fear turns to courage as we are sent out to work for a Kingdom of love and justice.

If we could let go of our own obsession with what we think is the meaning of it all, we might be able to hear His call and follow Him in His mysterious, cosmic dance. (Thomas Merton)

May 12th: Luke 24:46-53

Today we celebrate the feast of the ascension and we hear Luke’s account of Jesus leaving the disciples, his final words and gestures to them. Jesus’ departure does not cause the disciples to be anxious, instead we are told that they return to Jerusalem and praise God in the Temple. For Luke, this is a celebration of the mission to come. Luke’s Gospel begins in the Temple and there it ends in anticipation of the Church’s mission, a mission that was meant to be rooted in prayer and service. We might pray these words of St. Teresa of Avila today:

“Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on the world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.”

May the 4th/5th be Peace be With You

Today we hear from the Farewell Discourse in John’s Gospel. Jesus is replying to a question about why he does not show himself to the world. The disciples want fireworks, they want everyone to see who Jesus really is and are wondering why he does not put on some big performance for them. Jesus’ response is clear. You can learn all of his teachings off by heart but if you do not have a personal relationship with him, the rest is pointless. Knowing Jesus is about a relationship based on love.
Jesus is trying to explain to the disciples how they will experience him after his death. He is going away, but he is sending the Spirit to be with them and to teach them. He encourages them to not let their hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “Peace” (Shalom) is more than a wish for a good evening or peaceful day. It expresses the desire that the person receiving the blessing might be whole in body, mind and spirit. It is not a peace that this world can give. It is a peace that comes only from a relationship with Him. Jesus is calling us into a personal relationship, not some superficial learning of key teachings or rituals, but into a real relationship of love.



"We can walk all we want, we can build many things, but if we don't proclaim Jesus Christ, something is wrong. We would become a compassionate NGO and not a Church which is the bride of Christ.” (Pope Francis).