I have recently attended my church's parish weekend in North Wales, which was on the theme of Celtic Christianity, so when I read this, it made me smile as I remembered the fun and laughter we had on the weekend.

Not everyone on the weekend was in the best health or in a 'good place' but, even in such times and circumstances, if we open our hearts to God, we can experience the joy of the Holy Spirit moving within us. This isn't the fleeting, frothy emotion that we sometimes call 'happiness' but a deep sense of God's abiding presence in all we are, all we see and all we do.

Enjoy the prayer!

A Celtic Prayer on Joy

As the hand is made for holding and the eye for seeing,
You have fashioned me for joy.
Share with me the vision that finds that joy everywhere.
In the wild violet’s beauty;
In the lark’s melody;
In the face of a steadfast man;
In a child’s smile;
In a mother’s love;
In the purity of Jesus.

A Maclean, Hebridean Altars, Moray Press, Edinburgh, 1937
Modified

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Easter Day 2009

Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

Easter Day can be a time of new hope, of joy, of renewal and transformation. I nearly wrote 'is' there instead of 'can be' but I thought back to other Easters in my life which have been bleak, lonely and depressing. Maybe for some of you reading this, this Easter is a time of trouble and struggle.

But it can be a time of new hope, of joy, of renewal and transformation. I'd like to suggest a little exercise today - even if you are in the middle of difficult times. Sometimes, we have to hasten the transformation - allow it to gain a little toe-hold in our lives - allow God a little room for manoeuvre. So, here goes:

Make a special moment today to be by yourself to pray.
Have some paper and a pencil or pen with you.
Find a quiet spot and settle yourself comfortably...

Now, write down five positive things about yourself...

Remember - God can see many more than five –
but you write down five of those positive things...

Then in a moment of quiet...
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp read them aloud,
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp give thanks for them,
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp allow our risen Lord to come to you,
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp to speak your name and say ‘Well done’.

Now rest in God's love for you.

And the blessing of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you and with those whom you love - this day and forevermore.
Amen

He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

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Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

"It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching." -St. Francis of Assisi

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