As another year ends

The welcome band at the House of Compassion

Yes, it is already the end of another year - the Church, liturgical year. This happens because the Church likes to do things differently, and so it has its own calendar.  Like the end of any year, it is a good opportunity to think back and reflect.  I will not bore you with photos and stories galore from the past year.  Instead, I just share one memory that stands out for me.  

It is from my recent visit to CLUMP (Communal Life of Love and Unity of the Mountain People), a mission of a devoted, Thai, religious brother up in the north of Thailand.  It was a rich time of learning from one man's Gospel vision.  It is a vision that inspires and nourishes him, as he lives it out, by helping the poor and marginalized.  For me, it was a time that was simply inspirational and life-giving.  

It was here, I visited the House of Compassion, a rehabilitation centre for males suffering drug addiction.  Yes, I mentioned it last week, but in a different context.  It was such a powerful experience.  I name it as the memory of my past year, for it is an enduring sign to me of God's compassion.  As always, the goodness of the vulnerable is an incredible voice for procliming the goodness of humanity, for witnessing to the presence of a God of love in the midst of our crazy, even ridiculous, world.  

A simple song lovingly offered by these young men, in the midst of their struggles, deeply touched me and so stays with me.  Their music, their singing, their presence resonate in my heart.  It was pure surprise and gift which continues to impact me with God's love.  

God is truly God with us.  We know this in the midst of our poverty as we humbly open up to God, who chooses to speak to us and touch us, using whomever he chooses.  

He looks on us, his servants, in our lowliness.