Dear friends in Christ
The beginning of St Mark’s Gospel, as heard now in the daily Mass readings, surely puts before us a pattern for our own time. St Mark introduces the ministry of Jesus as a summons to repentance. From a general announcement it quickly becomes a personal invitation. This is the start, each day, of our lives: a personal calling to turn again to the Lord and to work afresh in His service. Then the action follows: the casting out of devils and the curing of the sick. This is all on ‘day one’, a day which ends like this: After sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils.
I write these lines in the middle of a month that has been rather dull and wet, perhaps reflecting the mood of many of us. We are all feeling a certain heaviness of heart and mind in these weeks. I was recently sent some lines that a priest wrote to his Bishop which seem very insightful:
Since everything in this world will one day fail us, it is in Him alone, even more than before, that we will put our total trust, hope, love and desire. With what sweetness He wants to fill the bitterness of a world that is leaving us empty. Where others criticise, His Heart is moved to even greater love. But how much does He have to take from us for us to be empty enough, or inspired enough, to want Him alone? My prayer is that what He has allowed to be taken so far is enough.
It reminded me of the words of the prayer St Thomas More wrote during his incarceration in the Tower of London, as he awaited his execution: I give you thanks, my God, for all that you have given me; for all that you have taken from me; for all that you have left me. I believe if we can say that prayer with sincerity, then we will have great serenity, even when everything and every one, seems to be going crazy. Personally I always find that serenity when I go before the Tabernacle. There I find the only One who gives me any sense and meaning for life.
Thank you for your examples of perseverance in the face of hardship and suffering, and thank you for the strength you give me to continue at this time when so much is unknown and unseen. So long as we can access our churches we can find Jesus there, so whilst being cautious and prudent, we can also be confident of finding there, the God who waits for us.
With my prayers and every blessing for you and your families!
Msgr Kevin Hale