Reflection

Over the last couple of weeks a large number of people have gone to see the movie ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. The movie tells the story of the life of Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury.  In the movie, sadly Freddie tells his Fiancé of the time that the only place he feels safe in the world is when he is with her and when he is on stage performing.  Despite being a rich, famous and very talented star, in the depths of his heart, Freddie suffered and was desperately lonely.

It leads us to ponder the questions, who do we feel safe with?  Who are the people in the world that truly know us and care for us?

Sadly, many people struggle to really connect with people and have the support and friendships that they desire.  God has created us to be in relationships (Gen 2:18  ‘It is not good for man to be alone’  and hence the need for the creation of a suitable helpmate).  We are created by love, for love and God desires us to love all people around us so all people feel known, loved, valued and safe.  It is our responsibility and our mission to be the very hands, eyes, ears and heart of Jesus in the world, bringing God’s loving presence to all people, especially those who feel isolated and alone.

In addition to this the Catechism tells us that ‘the desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself.  Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 27).  As St Augustine says ‘our hearts are restless until they rest in you’.  It is only in God that we can be fully known and only in God that we can find the deepest desires of our hearts.

Let us today ponder this profound truth – we have been created by God for God and He alone can fulfil our deepest desires.  Let us open our hearts and welcome Him in by taking time to be still and silent with God in prayer.  The more time we take to be with God and allow Him to come into our hearts, the deeper will our peace be and the more we will have the eyes to see and respond to the needs of others – seeing and loving others as Christ does.

Holy Family of Nazareth – Be our inspiration and our guide

Jesus of Nazareth – Help us to grow on faith, wisdom and knowledge