Fr Philip Carter offers a ministry of spirituality, with a series of meditations on some questions that we may ponder as we consider our life in God.
You will find here his reflections and questions for meditation, images, music and poetry to enrich your life’s journey.
It is the only law: the law of love and mercy.
Just as he is gentle and humble, so we can come with teachable hearts. Taking on his “easy yoke” and “light burden” suggests that God is not at our disposal. When we stop trying to be in control, notice our condition and have the courage to live and pray out of that place something happens. We discover and learn that life is all gift and, even in the experience of poverty or being burdened, find freedom for service and ministry.
Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons and daughters of God.
Matthew 5:44
The implications of being loved by God are social: we are all beloved in God. Communion – the vision of who we are together in God – thrives on otherness and difference. In fact the real test of faith lies in our capacity for difference. Fear breeds fear; violence breeds violence; love shuns violence and casts out fear.
Go and learn the meaning of the words, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”.
Matthew 9:13
“Recall the face of the poorest and most helpless man whom you have seen, and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he be able to gain anything by it? Will it restore him to control over his own life and destiny?” (Gandhi) Matthew’s theology holds that love of our neighbour is the true fulfilment of the Law. It is the only law: the law of love and mercy.
If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 16:24,25
Following Jesus means embracing the reality of our existence, and living out of our truth. This will always mean a recognition of our false self – our fearful ability to make something of ourselves and a surrendering into the nothingness or poverty of our condition. Paradoxically, this becomes a place fertile with the Spirit. “In order to become myself, I must cease to be what I always thought I wanted to be, and in order to find myself I must go out of myself, and in order to live I have to die.” (Thomas Merton)
The images in this post are of sculptures by the British artist Sean Henry, and are currently displayed in Ely Cathedral. Curator, Jacquiline Creswell says:
“ In a world so often plagued by division and indifference, the question ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ can be interpreted as an enquiry into one’s moral responsibility towards others. It prompts reflection on the extent to which individuals should support each other and recognises our interconnectedness and the importance of looking out for one another. Within the context of a sacred space it’s about opening up discussions and fostering a sense of unity and community. Through acts of compassion and understanding, we can move toward creating a world where no one is left behind and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Source: Sean Henry
Mmmmmm Mmmmmm
Yothu nyäku barrmaḻawuŋ
Djärimiŋgana
Warraḏaymi yothu
Barrmaḻawu nyäku
Ŋoya ḏimitmi
Ŋuḻarrwaraŋuru
Ratjuman ŋaya yothun nyäku
Rayilḻi rayilmanaḻi
Biḻimbiḻ gunyan ŋarru
Djärimiŋgan yothun
Go guṉdirrwuy nyäku
Djärimiŋgan
Gunyanan ŋayan ratjuman
Yothu nyakuway ŋaya
Ŋamaŋamayuwan nyäku yothun
Ya barrmaḻaŋuru
Go yothu djärimi
Djukurrmi,
Ṉamalanymikunda
Yothu nyäku barrmaḻawuŋu
Djärimi
Warraḏaymi
Mmmmm mmmmmm
Mmmmmm Mmmmmm
Child of mine from the womb
Born into a colourful world
Colourful child
From my womb
Sleeping fully formed
At the sacred place where women give birth
I dry my child in the sun
On the ground where I gave birth
The head is placed first
Rainbow child
Come,
I gave birth to my child in this termite mound (home of the olive python)
Covered in rainbow
Lay me down to dry me in the sun
Child of mine
I created my child
From the womb
Come, rainbow child
Beautiful rainbow child
My child from the womb
Rainbow, rainbow
Mmmmm mmmmmm
For a printable PDF of the text of this meditation please click on the link below.
