This is the icon of the Ascension. It shows Mary in the midst of the apostles, with the risen Jesus there above them commissioning them to go forth. As I count the apostles, I count only 10 but, with the demise of Judas, there should be 11. So where is the 11th? It is the person contemplating the icon - me. That person becomes the 11th apostle. That is the nature of the icon as it draws in the ones who are contemplating it.
This gem of spiritual wisdom was shared during my week by Br Emili, the Superior-General of the Marist Brothers. I was impressed by him as a most spiritual man. Like me, he was at Hua Hin for the first Chapter of the Brothers' new Marist District of Asia.
This whole initiative of the Marist Brothers focusing on mission in Asia arose out of a Church push to make this millennium the Millennium for Asia. As we reflected at their chapter, we recognised how God has been here all along in a continent so rich in culture, history, religion and tradition. So it was never about coming here to give God but to discover the God who is here. They talked of the Asian face of God and the rich spirituality surrounding rice which is so much more than just a basic food.
What impressed me about the group at this gathering of the Brothers and those who journey with them is how people of spirituality come to a foreign continent and recognise the God here and allow that God to speak to them.
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