It’s good sometimes to share the reflections of our great writers. This is a prayer by Thomas Merton, one of the great spiritual masters of the twentieth century, an American Trappist monk, profound mystic, and brilliant writer. He wrote more than 50 books in a period of 27 years, mostly on spirituality, social justice and a quiet pacifism, as well as scores of essays and reviews. Among Merton’s most enduring works is his bestselling autobiography The Seven Story Mountain (1948), his account of his spiritual journey. He inspired men and women from all walks of life with his dedication to prayer and contemplation.

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
Does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

From “Thoughts in Solitude”

The schools have closed for the summer, and we have had our Confirmation celebration on Friday with Archbishop Mark O’Toole. We, the Church, are made up of all ages. “Care for the Family” will help us take a closer look at family life this Sunday. But there is a feast day this week which reminds us of another important group of people in our church family.

Tuesday is the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne – the parents of Our Lady and therefore the grandparents of Jesus. So let’s pause a moment to think, remember and honour our grandparents. Sadly, all four of my grandparents were dead before I was born, and so in a sense what you didn’t have you didn’t miss. But through Parish life and connecting with hundreds of families I have learned the enormously valuable part they play in so many ways.

So this week, spare a thought and of course a prayer, for your grandparents, whether you knew them or not. Then, of course many of you yourselves are grandparents, so be aware of how much we all value you. Pray for your grandchildren as they grow up in our changing and sometimes unsettling world. And remember to place them under the care of St Joachim and St Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

Fr Matthew