God, be merciful to me, a sinner

On Thursday, I assisted at the funeral for 'Betty' in Te Aroha at St Marks Anglican Hall. Betty was a pianist and organist and loved music. She exuded joy and a zest for life. Betty and the local Anglican community invited me many times to share my music with them in concert. They first heard of me through 'Praise Be' and my rendition of 'Sons of Gallipoli.' Betty subsequently notated and shared my songs with the church choir. She was an incredible promotor. She asked me more than once to make sure I took part in her funeral and officiate. I was very happy to do so including the committal ceremony at the graveside. We sang around her plot giving thanks for her life and the positive difference she had made in our lives.

Our Gospel today is the one about the Pharisee and the tax collector, Luke 18:9-14. The title for today's sharing are the famous and poignant words of the humble tax collector, conscious of his need for God. The words he prayed echo down the centuries for all of us to take to heart.

At Mass this weekend a small contingent from Marist Laity are being asked to present on Marist Spirituality in preparation for workshops we will be running in the parish next month. I would like to share with you something of what I am going to say in the homily which I hope you find helpful.

Today we are encouraged by our Gospel to take time to acknowledge our need for mercy and need for God. We can be assured in the light of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector that Christ looks at us with eyes of compassion and forgiveness when we acknowledge that we are sinners. And as his disciples to look at other people with those same eyes of compassion and forgiveness. Mary looks with those eyes. Marists are called to look with those eyes. To notice the small things about people we encounter, a gesture, a sigh, the body language, perhaps that sense of awkwardness, the silence, those keeping their distance and in noticing those things being alongside to gently affirm, include and encourage.

Betty in preparing her funeral wanted me to sing one of my songs called, 'You can soar,' which I sang during the photo tribute to her. It is track 6 from the album, 'A Place at the Table.' She loved the mountains and the rural setting from her lounge window. The lyric, 'Go to that place of your promise,' is particularly appt given her death and our faith in that place Christ has gone to prepare for us.

I share the song with you this week. It was written for a young man who dealt with many challenges in his life. He sadly died far too young but I know and trust God looked upon him with great mercy.

Blessings on your week.