Let it be

Most days for seven years I looked up at this statue of St Mary and the Holy Child on my way into the parish church named in honour of her.

I can’t recall knowing the name of the sculptor, and finding out now is proving to be a challenge.

But whoever you are, thank you. For you helped me move with love towards Mary, who always points us towards Jesus, a beautiful journey that continues.

I’m really looking forward to the retreat that Gail and I will be leading next week at Sheldon in Devon.

It’s always good to be there, with a small praying and caring community, in a beautiful setting.

This will be the second time that we have led a retreat themed Let it be - reflecting on the wonderful gifts of Mary and Joseph described in the Gospels.

The stories told about them reveal them, each and together, to be quietly humble, and resolutely bold.

Whilst our sessions will provide a pathway to explore, much of the time we will be in silence.

Where the deep work seems to happen.

We have learned that if we can accept and remain with the awkwardness of silence - in which our anxieties, preoccupations and fixes always seem to rise to the surface - something precious becomes possible.

A renewed sensitivity to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives, an experience of being beloved, and of belonging, and the (joyful if bemused) possibility of saying with Mary, let it be with me according to your word…