PUTTING THE JIGSAW TOGETHER:

You know that one of my favourite images is imagining the story of our lives as a jigsaw and the struggle we sometimes have in fitting the various elements and experiences together so that we can see clearly the picture of how God is guiding us towards our fulfilment. In the past week I have had a few precious moments when the Lord has helped me slot a couple more pieces into place.

The two funerals at the beginning of the week were particularly significant. Myron Jones was a Welsh Presbyterian but was at home with us in the Catholic Church and the celebration was a wonderful reminder that we are making real progress ecumenically. Patrick Doran was a man of deep faith, moulded in his Irish heritage and it was with a member of his family that I had one of the most remarkable experiences of my Christian and priestly life: one of those moments when I speak of the Lord tapping us on the shoulder and reminding us he is there.

I hope and pray that during this Lenten season you will be able to find time to reflect on the story of your lives as well, so that by the time we come to the Sacred Triduum at the end of Holy Week we will all be in a position to reflect that the picture is becoming clearer. Ultimately, it is only when we can see everything in the light of Easter and the mystery of the Resurrection that things truly become clear.