Open Our Eyes, Lord

In early March, 22 people across the Brentwood Diocese met at Walsingham House, Abbotswick, to pause and reflect during Lent.  The day, inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si‘, was entitled ‘Open our eyes, Lord’.

The day started with us giving thanks and praise for creation, despite the rain, as we ‘opened our eyes to the beauty of God’s creation’. We then reflected on the importance of ‘opening our eyes to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor’, as highlighted by the encyclical. After lunch we followed an ecological way of the cross to ‘open our eyes to the harm we had caused’, both to our common home and to those with whom we share it. We then imagined what God’s world would look like if everyone experienced an ecological conversion before closing the day with a Taize service in the chapel. It was wonderful that we could listen to each other’s voices. Many thanks to those who attended and participated enthusiastically in all the sessions. God bless and guide you always.

From participants:

‘It was a really special day, full of warmth and hope, and it was especially wonderful to spend time reflecting on our world with such lovely people from so many different parishes.’

‘I think my eyes were certainly opened to many seeings: my need to stop awhile; the kindness of the day, yourselves and all; I saw the kindness of the trees that sheltered me from the rain; the circle of emptiness, waiting for Resurrection time, crowning the cross of wooden pieces; the thirst in those gathered to meet beyond boundaries…; ‘for see the winter is past, the rains are over and gone,  the flowers appear on the earth…’ Song of Songs.

Mary and Peter Johnson

St Teresa of Lisieux Parish, Lexden