'But you," he said, "who do you say I am? . . . '

Like many homes, I expect, we have certain areas where you'll find a collection of prayer cards and other similar 'holy cards' tucked behind picture frames or other suitable resting places, maybe next to a Palm Cross.

When we had our old kitchen ripped out to make way for our splendid new one, I naturally had to take down everything on the walls beforehand.

I'm only just getting around to sorting out the various pictures and other things that adorned the walls and deciding which if any of them will be allowed to grace the newly-painted walls.

In amongst the prayer cards was a yellowing scrap of paper cut out of an old newspaper (I can't remember which one now, it was quite some time ago).

This always makes me smile which is why I've kept it. This is what is says:

Jesus said to them: "Who do you say that I am?"

And they replied: "You are the eschatological manifestation of the ground of our being, the kerygma of which we find the ultimate meaning in our interpersonal relationships."

And Jesus said: "What?"

My Cup Runneth Over . . .

My cup runneth over . . .

A wonderful Solemnity celebrated with a beautiful Mass; amazing weather and a very prayerful Rosary and Benediction in the afternoon.

And . . . we now have worktops on our new kitchen units, and . . . a working oven - still waiting for a sink and a hob but hey, you can't rush perfection!!

Just one little blot on the landscape - we were invaded by ants in the dining room! OK, not exactly a plague but enough for me to declare war on the formicidae. All gone now and hopefully they've got the message after being sprayed with ant powder and shown the insides of our hoover!

I know all you ant-lovers out there are muttering about how marvellous ants are; performing important tasks in the ecosystems where they live; turning and aerating the soil, dispersing seeds, helping pollination etc. etc. . . .

I'm sure you're right and that's fine with me. Well done all you helpful ants but please do all those useful things outside in the garden and don't invade my indoor ecosystem!

Tantalisingly close . . .

Wooh hooo!

I have a new oven . . . a new hob . . . and a new sink . . .

The only trouble is . . .

They look like this . . .

Reasons for my absence - #2

Calm before the storm . . .

We had a lovely, peaceful Sunday today, which is just as well as it's been a busy week and I've a feeling it's going to be another 'Manic Monday' tomorrow.

After Mass which of course is always a great start to the day and has a wonderful way of injecting peace and calm into our otherwise busy lives, our PP came home to bless our Advent wreath. Yes, I know it's been in use a week already but better late than never!

Part of the brief form of blessing he used was that beautiful reading from Isaiah which we hear at Midnight Mass:

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light;

on those who live in a land of deep shadow

a light has shone.

You have made their gladness greater,

you have made their joy increase;

they rejoice in your presence

as men rejoice at harvest time,

as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils . . .

. . . For there is a child born for us,

a son given to us

and dominion is laid on his shoulders;

and this is the name they give him:

Wonderful-Counsellor, Mighty-God,

Eternal-Father, Prince of Peace.

Wide is his dominion

in a peace that has no end,

for the throne of David

and for his royal power,

which he establishes and makes secure

in justice and integrity.

From this time onwards and for ever,

the jealous love of the Lord Sabaoth will do this.

We've always had an Advent wreath at home as we did when I was a child. It's a wonderful way to remind us what Advent is all about and also to focus on preparing well for Christmas, and I don't just mean making sure we get the tree and the turkey organised in good time (though they are also part of Christmas and nothing wrong with that, in my book!)

We leave the Advent wreath out after Christmas day with the other decorations and add a large white candle in the centre to represent Christ. It's always commented on by our non-churchgoing visitors, along with our crib and I'm often surprised at the interest they show in the symbolism of things like this.

Which reminds me, I hope our PP will also be able to spare a few minutes to come and bless our crib for us later . . . perhaps some mince pies and a seasonal drink ?