Henri, I want a blessing …
YOU ARE MY BELOVED. On you my favour rests. – I’ve just come across this extraordinary little series of films and have found myself transported into the company of angels and archangels. Blessed be God for his eternal grace at work in Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) – dear Wounded Healer. Truly beloved.
I’M JUST ABOUT to show my age! – I was a fan of tv detective partnership Starsky & Hutch. Time on my hands and a Saturday afternoon sleep in the chair (!) have set me thinking about some of the many conversations I’ve had in the past week. And about partners – pals, trusted colleagues, the people who watch you, and wait with you, and work with you across the years. The people you rely on. The people who know the truth of you. The people whose truth you’ve had more than a few glimpses of. Like Starsky & Hutch. Life circumstances brought me into conversation this week with three of my oldest friends, all priests, all pals in the sense already alluded to, each of us different, each of us aware of our need of each other, and of mutual appreciation. I’ve been blessed by friends and I’m grateful for them – and for that they each know who they are.
NOBODY COULD MISTAKE me for other than an Englishman. None too keen on cold I’m none too keen on very hot weather either. Summer nights are sometimes restless nights and I can hardly keep my eyes open as I write this. But I have had breakfast, lunch and supper today. And neither cold nor heat will affect my days for too long. And I have the prospect before me of peaceful hours in company with – and sometimes afloat upon – one of my favourite tidal rivers en France. I am unimaginably and undeservedly blessed and I do try not to forget that.
THE GREAT COMMISSION – Matthew 28.16-20
