Goodgoat can easily get jealous about other people’s abilities or what they seem to be doing compared to himself. Here’s something that may help if you feel the same way – Have you ever listened to the last movement of the Durufle Requiem (the “In Paradisum”, i.e. “In Heaven”)? Well…go on…take a listen it’s a beautiful work - but listen especially to the last movement – towards they end, and for at least a page in the music the choir sings nothing but one note for the entire page – just one note.

Now, I would have thought that this would make for boring music – but go on, listen to it – it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve heard. How can this be? Well, it’s all in the accompaniment – while the choir is singing its one note, the orchestra (or organ in one arrangement) is providing chords that support the choir and make the whole thing glow.

Now…how does that help? Well, whatever our own simple tunes – even if it’s only on one note, God can make us into the most beautiful music that can mean more to others than more complex tunes. 

I was lucky enough to pass through Assisi driving back to the airport from my holiday on the Tuscany/Umbria border.

I decided to go to the Basilica to see where St Francis is buried. I had been to the Basilica before – both as a tourist and also to sing but this was my first visit since I started down the path to be a Franciscan Tertiary.

It was good to see the story of Francis outlined on the frescos in the Basilica – and the audio guide gave a good description of what each one contained. I then ventured down into the lower levels, eventually ending up near his tomb (at least I think that’s where I was!)

Very little of this made an impression on me at any depth – it was only when I took a turn into a side room that something struck me – and that was seeing Francis’s brown tunic – a piece of clothing that had clearly been worn a great deal, it gave the impression of a pair of well worn in comfortable shoes and different sections of it had been replace as they had worn out – so it was a bit of a patchwork – but the thing that struck me was that Francis was a real person, that he was human, and the humility shone through – quite difficult when you’re surrounded by oppulance to Francis’s memory…and some of the monks who were around reminded me more of Friar Tuck than someone who was living entirely by God’s grace (or am I being unfair and it’s just that God has been very gracious to the First Order monks?)

Well, sorry, being a bit judgemental here.

I also met a couple two weeks ago who are looking at how religious communities are established – and they said that often by a charismatic leader but that the words and principles then became the centre of the community rather than Christ…

So, how can we ensure that our lives are centred on Jesus Christ and not allow our busy-ness and the ideas that Jesus inspired in charismatic people in the past to stop us from listening to what He has to say to us today?

Your comments please!

One thing that I think is wheeled out once a year in the church’s calendar and then forgotten about is foot washing: on Maundy Thusday (the Thursday before Easter) the vicar/priest can be seen demonstrating humility by washing the feet of parishioners.  I have seldom heard reference to Jesus saying “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (taken from the Gospel [Good News] according to John chapter 13 verses 14-15 in the bible). Now why is it that when Jesus tells us to repeat the Last Supper (eucharist or mass) the church does it every week but foot washing only once a year?

While foot washing is a great act of humility (there was a lady given an honour last week for doing this for homeless people) I like to think that there’s more to it… When Christians are baptised the water that is used signifies cleansing from sin (doing things that aren’t in keeping with the way God suggests [and he doesn't force us] we behave) – that’s it, a once and for all sacrament (outward sign of an inward truth). However, we all get mud and dust on our feet on this road of life and I think Jesus is calling us to help each other by listening to and forgiving one another to help to wash the mud off our feet.

 One other thought – there’s a different feeling when we walk in open sandals to big boots – having more skin exposed makes us more open and in touch with the environment – perhaps there’s also something here about being vulnerable?