St Paul Miki & Companions

Monday 3 February 2020 (4th Week in Ordinary Time)

I must have attended scores, even hundreds, of meekly masses in the Cathedral but for the first time ever I arrive and Mary asks me to do a reading. Very happy but for the first time I can remember I have conjunctivitis.

The reading is very long, all about David fleeing Absalom.

Here I am with the vast cathedral stretching before me and I can barely read the text through my tears. The priest must think me an awful bore reading so slowly. He rattles off the Gospel.

Anyway, divine punishment!

David then made his way up the Mount of Olives weeping as he went, his head covered, his feet bare. (2 Samuel 15:13

Tuesday 4 February

I am back in the Cathedral luckily only listening.

Poor old Absalom.

Jacob took three lances in his hand and thrust them into his heart while he was still alive there in the oak tree. (2 Samuel 18:19)

Wherever I read this I think of father-son relationships. However they are, even open rebellion, they the sons are the most precious of objects.

Wednesday 5 February – St Agatha

It is Mass in the crypt chapel.

David said to God: this is a hard choice. (2 Sam 29:8)

All choices are hard. Does God give us choices? Do we have a choice? Is there a God? Is it all random or pre-ordained? God or no God? Why worry. Anyway, David chooses the least of three evils. That’s all we can do.

Thursday 6 February – St Paul Miki

I have a question to answer in the House so I miss the 10:30 Mass. But I could have gone to the early one — too idle.

Compared to the Japanese martyrs our faith and commitment is as small as a mustard seed when compared to the tree. I doubt, thrown into the cares of the world at the side of the path, it will ever grow much bigger than a dandelion.

Friday 7 February

I am alone in the village church. I read Psalm 17: “Praise be the God Who sees me.”

It is very easy sitting there, the light streaming in through the south-facing windows.

There and then, just for a moment, He is here. He sees me. One leaves the church door and of course one forgets.

Saturday 8 February

I am reading Psalm 118: “Lord, teach me our statues. With my tongue I have recounted the decrees of your lips.”

Sunday 9 February — 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

There is no 5:30 Mass at Osgodby. The storm must have cancelled it. So we go to St Hugh’s in Lincoln for the 6:30 Mass.

“No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub. They put it on a lamp stand.” (Matthew 5:13)

I am mainly looking after Sofka so I miss today’s saint who apparently saw a great light around England.

Monday 10 February – St Scholastica

I am in the Cathedral and asked to read again. This time I can see.

“The cloud filled the temple of the Lord.” (1 Kings)

But this time I could at least see this latter-day temple.