How is God ‘Abba’ to us?
Before all the important moments of his life, Jesus takes time out to be with his father.
Luke gives us a slightly shorter version of Jesus's response to the question 'Teach us to pray', beginning with a simple intimate greeting equivalent to 'Papa' or 'Dad', and continuing as we know 'may your name be held holy, your kingdom come; give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us. And do not put us to the test.' Again the simplicity strikes me - 'may your kingdom come' - may we really live out what we believe and share the life you give us with others, bringing your kingdom among us; and may we rely on you each day to nourish us with your life, and forgive us as we forgive each other. For the catechumen, and for each of us in the community, our life in Christ is like a spiral, ever deepening, the more we open to the truth Jesus gives us. And the truth today is staggering - that God is our 'dad'. In the human family, the dad is traditionally the member of the family responsible for providing for the needs of the body - food, shelter and warmth. He gives identity to his children. SO a son becomes a man and knows himself and his abilities from the way his father relates to him and what he says to and about his son. And in the same way, a daughter gains her identity as a woman through the way her father treats her and communicates with her. The father also provides protection and security. (A mother, and siblings/ friends have different roles in the formation of our person too, which you can align with the Holy Spirit and with Jesus, but I wont go into these here).
Towards the end of the catechumenal journey of conversion (either at the end of the catechumenate period, or during Lent), the Lord's Prayer, our prayer of the church, as an integral part of our daily prayer and our liturgy - is ritually 'presented' or proclaimed for and over the catechumens (or elect) - God is drawing them to himself, like a father who lifts up his child and holds them close (Hosea 11). This is a very moving moment - a moment of recognition of the compassion and love of God calling them to the waters of baptism - as the rite suggests: 'Give them new birth in your living waters, so that they may be numbered among your adopted children.' It is a preparation for the moment when they as baptised Christians will for the first time recite this prayer in the liturgical assembly of the faithful. It is a sign of recognition by the community of the progress of the candidates in spiritual maturity - they recognse who they are becoming. It echoes the process of human development in a family too.
In order for the catechumens to be able to publicly receive and pray the 'Our Father', it would be vitally important for the community, as represented in the team members and sponsor, to be aware of the need for ritual prayer throughout the catechumenate to help them towards this point - blessings, annointing and minor exorcism - all of which are there for affirmation and healing. None of our family backgrounds are perfect by any stretch of the imagination. Ask a room full of people to put up their hands if 
they consider they come from a 'dysfunctional family' and 95% will do so! For all sorts of reasons, our family members may not have understood or were unable to f'perfectly' fulfil their roles in our lives - and this can lead to a misunderstanding of the who God is as Loving Father, or who Jesus is, or the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the blessings, annointings and minor exorcisms are to heal the wounds and lies that may have been learned from our experience, enable us to understand and forgive our families/those in close relationship for any inadequacies in their roles, and to open to the truth of the incredible intimacy offered by God, who says call me 'Abba' , offering identity, security and protection, as well as giving a joyful purpose for our lives as Christian family reaching out to love, heal and serve in the world.
The invitation to the elect following the Presentation of the Lord's Prayer has a prophetic ring about it:
'Although you cannot yet participate fully in the Lord's eucharist, stay with us as a sign of our hope that all God's children will eat and drink with the Lord and work with his Spirit to re-create the face of the earth'.
The Rite of Election approaches – are we ready?
On Sunday next, 1st Sunday of Lent, our catechumens and candidates from across the Diocese will gather in the Cathedral, and be presented to our Bishop with the words :
'They have found strength in God's grace, and support in our community's prayers and example. Now they ask that after the celebration of the scrutinies, they be allowed to participate in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the eucharist'.
Those who have journeyed with them to this point find them 'to be sincere in their desire. They have listened to the word of Christ,and endeavoured to follow his commands; they have shared the company of their Christian brothers and sisters and joined with them in prayer', and so the Bishop announces to all present 'that our community has decided to call them to the sacraments', and then once again, he seeks the opinions of the godparents:
'As God is your witness, do you consider these candidates worthy to be admitted to the sacraments of Christian initiation?'
'Have they faithfully listened to God's word proclaimed by the Church?'
Have they responded to that word and begun to walk in God's presence?
Have they shared the company of their Christian brothers and sisters and joined with them in prayer?
And then speakly directly to the catechumens, the Bishop invites them to 'express your response clearly and in the presence of the whole Church', after which they are declared 'members of the elect'. The whole Church are charged with acceptance of these 'chosen of the Lord', and asked to continue to sustain them through 'loving care and example'
Quite a responsibility. Are we ready?
Lent is offered as a gift for the healing, encouragement and renewal of all - the catechumens, candidates, both adults and children, and the whole community:
- to grow in love
- to overcome hesitations and trust in Christ
- to find joy in daily prayer and reflection on the scriptures
- to acknowledge faults and work to correct them
- to share with others the joy found in faith.
In other words, as described in the Rite (RCIA 125-126) it is more about interior reflection than catechetical instruction - a time intended to purify and enlighten minds and hearts through a deeper knowledge and experience of Christ. So let go of anxiety about 'have we given them enough doctrine'/'do they know enough' - after all, the Rite of Election reminds us very firmly that this is a process of initiation - and relax, and allow lent to be the time of 'retreat' and deepening of relationship with Christ.
A friend offered me this Lenten Prayer which may help us to get the focus for Lent right!
Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling within them. Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life. Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the realityof light. Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify. Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude. Fast from anger; feast on patience. Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism. Fast from worry; feast on trust. Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation. Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives; fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer. Gentle God, during the season of feasting and fasting, gift us with Your Presence, so we can be gift to others in carrying out your work. Amen.
Setting souls free…
A conversation a couple of weeks ago has left me wondering … if the person to whom I was speaking was seeking full communion with the Church (they weren’t) how would the Team deal with what the person came with?
It was clear from the conversation that there were some mental health issues but, sensing some deep spiritual disturbance, I continued with gentle questioning which brought out the fact that the person had been heavily involved in tarot reading and that many aspects of their life was now controlled by the cards. They were convinced of the presence of an evil spirit and terrified that, if they got rid of the cards, it would harm them and members of their family. We got as far as putting the cards out of easy reach and I am hoping that we will get as far as the cards being given to me or to someone else who can destroy them on the person’s behalf… it would take a long time for them to be able to do this for themselves.
But the thought lingered – and so I thought this opportunity to prompt discussion could be helpful not just to me but to others who might be walking alongside someone who has had a similar experience.
If the person is not baptised, there are, of course, the minor exorcisms where there is provision made for a prayer asking that, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, God will remove “the worship of false gods and magic, witchcraft and dealings with the dead” (Prayer B, p42 of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). But how often is this part of the prayer used? Is there a temptation to avoid saying the words out loud? Are we inclined to see such a prayer as appropriate in mission territories – or perhaps in Pentecostal churches – but less necessary for us? And yet, tarot – astrology – wicca – mediums – and more – are increasingly prevalent in the UK and many who are searching for “the spiritual” will often have tried some of them on their way to Christianity. Some may have emerged apparently unscathed. Others, such as the person with whom I was speaking, may be very seriously affected both mentally and spiritually and in need of medical intervention but also deep spiritual healing.
People who are baptised may also have been attracted to similar practices. The Rite does suggest that some of the rites belonging to the catechumenate could be used in the preparation of the candidates preparing for full communion. We often use the presentations of the Creed, Lord’s Prayer and Gospels and a penitential rite – but would we consider bringing in the minor exorcisms – and how would we do it? Obviously, there will be occasions when this is best done in private – and some people may need a fairly lengthy process of coming to trust that they have been set free of what was holding them bound with several rites along the way. (Discernment would be needed by catechists, sponsors and clergy as to how this might work bearing in mind the individual’s vulnerability). But might there be a place for the minor exorcisms to take place within a meeting – or during a service in the church? Does anyone have experience of doing this – and how did it work?
The person I was speaking to has a long journey ahead and its outcome is far from clear.
The prayer has to be that whatever brought them to take the step of getting in touch will give them the strength to continue the journey to healing… that they will continue to search for the truth – the real truth that will set them – and keep them – free.
A tale echoing across the centuries
A number of years ago I was on holiday on the 3rd Sunday of Lent in Venice. Venice was not too crowded and the light was bright and clear. It was sunny but you still needed a coat - holiday tips over.
At the end of Mass in Murano we were handed a prayer card. Today the new bishop of the diocese was to be installed in St Mark's basilica. Back in Venice going up the Grand Canal we were aware that groups from parishes we beginning to congregate on the canal side with posters and banners welcoming the new bishop. In the end we decided to hang around and see what was going to happen and eventually there was flotilla of boats and gondolas with trumpeters and attendants dressed in finery as the bishop approached his Cathedral. It was truly a spectacle but a thoroughly inculturated one too.
And the connection with RCIA?
Well the prayer card. The image on the front was the Jesus and the Woman at the Well. It was taken from the mosaics in St Mark's basilica - more inculturation. The story was told in two scenes - like two frames from a film - Jesus talking to the woman at the well and then the woman proclaiming the good news. Firstly it was a reminder that on that Sunday the Church across the world was feasting at the Table of the Word on this story - it is a sign of our communion, what we hold in common. Also it was a reminder for me that this is a story that has been retold across the centuries. The stories which are illustrated in mosaics, a slow laborious process, are the stories which a community held to be important.
In the renewal of the Lectionary following the Second Vatican Council the story of the Woman at the well was restored to the 3rd Sunday of Lent, and the Man born blind and the raising of Lazarus on the subsequent Sundays. Great importance is placed on these stories. Even where there are no elect to be initiated at Easter these readings from Year A may always be read. Where they are not read on the Sunday the Lectionary encourages that they are heard at Mass at some point in the following week. Where there are Elect, and so the Scrutinies are being celebrated, these readings are used whatever year it is in the Lectionary.
It is worth emphasising that there are few other Sundays where the choice of Gospel is so singular.
The importance of these stories is in part a sign that Initiation is that important - It's unavoidable. It is also a reminder of the richness of these stories.
- If you were to choose two snapshots from these Gospels what would they be?
- What caption would you give them?
In reflecting on the mosaic in St Mark's I was struck that this was an unequivocal example of a woman being the first to proclaim and preach the good news in a particular place.
The Word we proclaim is never just a 'once upon a time' tale. It is always being fulfilled in our hearing but perhaps the best chance for these readings to be fulfilled is where there are elect - people waiting for baptism. When this happens we may begin to realise that we can never hear enough of this good news. We sometimes speak of RCIA being normative but the truth is that it is evangelising and initiating adults which is normative of being Church.
The mosaic can be found on the website of St Mark's Basilica --> follow the link to [The Stories of Christ]. It is not possible to copy the image from the site.
It can’t be Holy Week next week?!
And if it is - how on earth did we get here?
There are advantages to an early Lent - for many people this year, Lent will almost be over before they really get to grips with the fact that it started - far too soon after Christmas. Only two weeks now and we can get back to the chocolate - the alcohol - the things we have denied ourselves and life can get back to normal! But for our Elect and Candidates, two weeks time brings them to one of the most important events in their lives. There will be a certain amount of making their new status as a Catholic Christian part of normal life but just at present, we hope they are living with a heightened awareness of the call to which they are responding - looking back on the Rite of Election with joy and ahead to the Easter Vigil with eager anticipation (albeit tinged with a bit of 
anxiety).
This last week of Lent might be a good time to offer them the opportunity to look back on how they got to this point.
This week's blog could be used as a guided reflection inspired by the Year A Gospels - as part of an RCIA session or individually over a coffee - or both!
Brew up - settle back - and relive the journey to this last week of Lent... it really IS Holy Week next week - how on earth did we get here!
It started somewhere... Jesus' public ministry started with his baptism in the Jordan - spend a few moments building up the scene in your mind's eye. Jesus emerging from a crowd ... John's reluctance ... Jesus' immersion in the river and the dove coming upon him... and the words from God: This is my beloved Son - listen to him. When have I felt that love of God for me - sensing that I am God's beloved son - beloved daughter?
...
Almost immediately, Jesus is sent into the wilderness - to be tempted - challenged? Where have my wildernesses been? ... When have I faced challenges which have helped me to find God and God's will for me?
...
And Jesus took three close friends to the top of a mountain and became transfigured - their friend but not their friend... divinity shining from him - majestic divinity in the air all around them ... and that voice again: My Son - the Beloved - listen to him. What words of Jesus have spoken most powerfully to me over the last few months?
...
It hasn't always been plain sailing - there have been times of weariness and uncertainty - when I've needed time and the faith of others to recharge my batteries. When have I come to the "well" - come to listen to Jesus and to other people - and found myself refreshed? When have people come to the "well" - and I have found myself like the Samaritan Woman - engaging in conversation and listening and helping myself and my companions to go deeper into the mystery of God? When have I taken my experience of encountering Jesus back to others?
....
And the Gospel of last week - the story of the person born blind ... whose soul saw things hidden from the sight of others ... who stuck to his story no matter what pressure he was put under .... When have I had a sudden insight - a kind of dawning understanding of something that had been hidden from me before? Have there been things during my RCIA sessions that have been like a bolt from the blue - or shaft of lightning? When have others not seen the truth as I have... and how did I feel?
....
And what of Martha or Mary in the Gospel story of the raising of Lazarus? When have I been like Martha - heading down the road to meet Jesus ... and telling him like it is: If you had been here this wouldn't have happened. Where were you when ........(name something that stretched your faith)? Or, when like Mary - overcome with sorrow and just unable to make the first move - but sensing the Lord somewhere out there ... And how do I feel when I recall the shortest verse in Scripture: Jesus wept. Jesus' own grief coming through ... his own tears shed with those of Martha and Mary... his own tears shed with my own - his tears for my sorrow ... His compassion which does not deny sadness but shares it - and seeks to transform it. When have I sensed the healing love of my Lord?
...
And here we are - months - years - into our Journey of Faith ... And along the way - the company of Jesus - whether we recognised him at the time or not ...
Next week, we will accompany him on the last fateful journey from the entry into Jerusalem - from euphoria to agony ... from praise to condemnation ... from hope to despair ... from death to resurrection ...
And I will respond to his invitation - for the first time as I enter the waters of baptism and die with him and rise to new life ... or the fiftieth ... I will respond to the invitation to be part of this story - of a death that changed the world because it did not end there ...
It really IS Holy Week next week! How did I get here? And more importantly - where is the Lord leading me from here - from the waters of Baptism to....? from anointing and gifting with the Spirit to ...? to the Lord's Table ... and from there...?
Unbind him and set him free
If you ever find yourself in Oxford make your way to the chapel of New College. There you will find a truly remarkable statue of Lazarus by Jacob Epstein. It is in white marble. As you look you will see the bands of death being stretched round the body of Lazarus almost to breaking point. He is being dragged reluctantly from the grave. This reluctance to come forth from the place of safety and death is further emphasised by the fact that his head is turned backwards as he is being pulled back to life. That beautiful piece of sculpture offers a profound insight into the story of Lazarus found in John’s Gospel:- Resistance to true freedom.
To get inside the story we need to identify our own resistance to removing the stone covering the cave where the body lay buried along with our resistance to believing the word of Jesus that endlessly gives life.
Having taken the stone away listen to the word spoken in a loud voice “Lazarus come out”. A loud voice reaching down into the very depths of all that is life taking: That echoes through the ages and that cannot be resisted. The command “Unbind him and let him go” reflect the word spoken to Moses from the Burning Bush:- “I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt” – the house of slavery.
These images form the basis of the Third Scrutiny as the Elect prepare themselves within their parish communities for the Easter Vigil. In fact for both the individual and the community the questions raised are demanding indeed and reach into the psyche of both:
- What am I reluctant to reveal about myself or my community?
- What in my life am I reluctant to change?
- What do I or we want to keep hidden away?
- What do I or we need to do to set others free?
- What word or command of Jesus do I most resist?
- What word or command of Jesus echoes deep within me?
- From what do I or my community need to be unbound and set free?
The prayer prayed over the Elect and on behalf of the community has much to offer to these reflections. The prayer is geared towards those who are preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil but can easily be adapted for those already one with us through baptism or for the community as a whole. The lines or words in italics are offered as a possible adaptation.
“Father of life and God not of the dead but of the living,
you sent your Son to proclaim life,
to snatch us from the realm of death,
and to lead us to the resurrection.
Free these elect (us)
from the death-dealing power of the spirit of evil,
so that they (we) may witness
to their (our) new life in the risen Christ,
for he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
(Then with hands outstretched)
Lord Jesus,
by raising Lazarus from the dead
you showed that you came that we might have life
and have it more abundantly.
Free (us) from the grasp of death
those who await your life-giving sacraments
(as we celebrate your life-giving sacraments)
and deliver them from the spirit of corruption.
(and continue to deliver us from the spirit of corruption)
Through your Spirit, who gives life,
fill them (us) with faith, hope and charity,
that they (we) may live with you always
in the glory of your resurrection
for you are Lord for ever and ever. Amen”
A thought!
“Sickness struggles to own the world. I want you to live.
Live, do you hear me? Half-living is a safe hell.
The house I build is for souls who would be well.”
‘The house I build’ by Brendan Kennelly
Taking God’s love seriously
Yesterday in our parish Sunday Mass many will have experienced the first scrutiny - and allowed that gospel encounter of the woman with Jesus at the well to interpret our own lives and inner longings. As we walk with Christ, our way, our truth, our life, along the lenten pathway towards Easter, we too meet the people he meets - through wilderness, up and down mountains, thirsty woman, blind man, dead man, welcoming crowd, angry mob - we too enter into that sense of being 'handed over', and having to trust God that this is the right path. And the scrutinies are moments of self-searching, repentance, enlightenment. They are described in RCIA 141 as having a spiritual purpose - to uncover and heal all that is weak, and to bring out and strengthen all that is good and strong. Their aim is to 'complete' conversion and deepen our resolve to hold on to Christ. Their focus is towards salvation and the resulting new life and freedom that brings. As individuals and community, in reflecting on the experience of the scrutinies, may we become more and more consciously aware of being filled with Christ - living water, light of the world, resurrection and life. We are not diminished by the experience.. we are set free.
So, what was the experience like for you? In what ways are you 'thirsty'? What does the encounter tell you about Christ?
Praying with Paint For Purification & Enlightenment?
One of the biggest challenges I found when working with my parish RCIA group was how to effectively shift the emphasis of the weekly session from the kind of intense catechetical activity of the catechumenate to the more reflective period of ‘intense spiritual preparation' that this firmly time bound stage demands. In reality, the pressure builds at this time because of all the practical details in preparing for and reflecting afterwards on the Rite of Election and then preparing for and reflecting afterwards on the Scrutinies and then preparing for the Presentations and the Preparation Rites and ...! If we're not careful, the practicalities of so much to be dealt with in such a relatively short period can actually deflect our focus. As JD Crichton in his commentary on these period states:
"Lent has often been called a spiritual retreat and it is to this that both the elect and the local community are called during this period. For this reason it is to be marked by ‘interior reflection' rather than ‘catechetical instruction'."[i]
So how, in an ordinary parish context might we attempt a slowing down and give space for the Spirit to both purify and enlighten. Well one way that we discovered not only worked but was really appreciated by all who shared the journey was a ‘Praying with Paint' session during the first or second week of Lent.
It requires some advance organisation to ensure that there is sufficient space for all to be able to ‘paint' and that there are sufficient supplies of poster paint or crayons or watercolours (the parish toddler group or primary school can often be most helpful if approached in good time). Otherwise it's just a question of creating a reflective atmosphere with quiet music playing and perhaps dimmed lighting (but not too dimmed so that people can't see their own creations). Obviously the basic principles of adult formation apply and people are free not to take part, but in over ten years of offering this I only ever encountered one person who chose not to participate. So:
- Stress the reflective nature of the task, reassuring all those who had bad experiences of art at school that it's not about creating works of art but rather allowing the Spirit of God to move within us in response to the gospel in a different way from those we may otherwise have experienced.
- Proclaim the gospel and allow a period of silence
- Proclaim it again but with a different voice
- Invite people to respond using the materials provided, as they feel appropriate.
- Quiet, reflective music will help and as people finish there should be no pressure to show the paintings, although most people will happily want to do so.
- There should however be a time to come together and say a word or two about how the experience was received and an opportunity to end with shared prayer, perhaps hearing the gospel one more time
In this Year of Matthew (Cycle A) the story of the Transfiguration affords a wonderful opportunity for a creative reflection. Happy painting!
[i] Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, The final Texts with Commentaries The Columba Press 1986