WILL YOU TAKE THE TROUBLE TO HEAR – APRIL 2009

a009WILL YOU HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY?  Reflection April 2009
During Holy Week we remember the end of Chirst’s life journey on this earth and the new life of the Resurrection. We spend time in the Garden of Gethsemene and at the foot of the Cross and keep vigil in hope of the Resurrection.
In spending time with him will you take the trouble to hear what he has to say: his command to celebrate the Eucharist ‘in memory of me’, his call to serve as he has served, the challenge to put away the sword, his declaration of thirst? Will the pattern of his life reshape the pattern of yours? Will his obedience to the Father challenge you to build the Father’s Kingdom and not your own? Will his resurrection colour your approach to suffering and death? When faced with your failures, will you allow the forgiveness he won for us, to help you begin again?

“In the foreigner a Christian sees not simply a neighbour, but the face of Christ
Himself, who was born in a manger and fled into Egypt…..After His resurrection, still a foreigner and unknown, He appeared on the way to Emmaus to two of His disciples, who only recognised Him at the breaking of the bread (cf. Luke 24:35).  So Christians are followers of a man on the move ‘who has nowhere to lay his head (Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58).” Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi.

Many migrants go through their own Gethsemene of anguish and doubt about the road ahead, they suffer their Calvary of separation leaving all behind and journey in hope to somewhere new.   “For I was a stanger and you made me welcome” – “As long as you did it for one of these you did it for me.” Will you take the trouble to hear what He has to say?

Adapted from “Who is my Neighbour” – Archdiocese of Westminster
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