Sunday Gospel Reflections – A thank you to Br Michael And looking to the future
After five years at the helm of our Sunday Gospel Reflections Brother Michael is taking a sabbatical, a time for him to rest and renew his own energy and passion for the Gospel. Over the years his weekly reflection has enriched, challenged and comforted so many people around the world.
Br. Michael has a style of writing which is easy to read and understand, a quality often missing in those who seek to open the ‘Joy of the Gospel’ to us. It is a style which captures the charism of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the Religious Congregation to which he belongs. Our desire to be “always close to the people” and our mission to be with those who are marginalised and on the periphery of society, mean we try to see the person of Jesus and his words through the eyes of the first fishermen, sinners and those struggling with diseases of mind and body.
At this time, we in the Partners in Mission Team wish to thank Br. Michael on behalf of all who have enjoyed and benefited from his reflections. We will hold you in our own thoughts and prayers during your time of sabbatical, and we know that you will continue to enrich the lives of many by your words and deeds.
Why not leave the last word with William Shakespeare, a man who always seems to have a single sentence which sums up the thousands or words we might write in praise of a person.
“How far that little candle throws its beam! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”
(The Merchant of Venice)
Your gentle and thoughtful words, Br. Michael, have thrown their beam to all corners of the planet. The good deeds you have fostered and encouraged, based only on the words and deeds of Jesus himself, will continue to shine in our weary (but always hopeful) world. Thank you.
So, what of the future?
While nobody can capture the ‘Joy of the Gospel’ as Br. Michael has done, and while nobody could seek to imitate the flair and grace with which he writes, we felt it would be a great pity to lose the legacy of his reflections. Therefore, starting next week, I will try to continue what Br. Michael began. I do so, not trying to emulate what he has achieved, but simply to continue to reflect on the words and deeds of the Gospel story.
Last word to Shakespeare: “Brevity is the soul of wit.” (Hamlet) I’ll try!
– Fr. Brian Maher OMI
(Director, Oblate Partners in Mission,
Anglo-Irish Province)
