Page 19 - LOTN Autumn Issue 48 2021

EDUCATION AND FORMATION

first make an appointment with the Franciscan Centre in profound. In some ways the exhibition makes more of an
Harmęże by phone or e-mail to visit. impact than visiting the camp itself. Indeed, after seeing
The Franciscans present "Snapshots" in several languages this exhibition, Fr Józef Tischner, one of Poland's foremost
- Polish, English and Italian. If someone is not able to visit priest-philosophers, wrote, ' I have been to Auschwitz many
Harmęże, they can experience this exhibition online. Just times; I have been to Birkenau many times but I have never
click on the link: http://wystawa.powiat.oswiecim.pl/. experienced what I experienced at this exhibition. There
Fr Piotr commented: "The reactions of visitors are very can be no doubt for me. The real Auschwitz is here.'”

A Word from the

Lord

BY EILEEN CLARE GRANT

Come to me!
ome years ago, I heard a certain Abbot in a homily
mention a man who once suggested that there is
a word in Scripture for every one of us, a special
Sword. That man was Bl. Charles de Foucauld, due
soon to be canonized, a man who for many years had turned
his back on God but who, when he finally yielded, served
the Lord faithfully until the very end. The preacher’s words
hit me with especial force, and I immediately pondered,
“what particular word does Scripture hold for me?” And
the word came almost immediately to me and has stayed
with me ever since. I don’t suppose for one moment that
this word is meant only for me; I expect many of you have
heard the same word. Or I hope, if you’ve not already done
so, you will pause and think also, “What word is there for
me?” The postscript to that is, of course, “What shall I do
with it?”
Over the last several months, since returning to live, as
opposed to virtual, Mass at the Cathedral, I’ve had further
opportunity to meditate on my ‘word’. Being there on my own,
I’ve been parked in the Blessed Sacrament aisle. At first, having
been accustomed to being “in the body of the kirk”, sitting with
a friend in the centre, I felt rather lonely, masked, alone and
anonymous. But of course, as part of the Body of Christ, we’re
never really alone. I discovered a very real blessing; arriving
as soon as the doors opened, I was privileged to spend some
time in contemplation before the Tabernacle and, gazing at the
beautiful icon of the Merciful Christ, I heard my word again. I
didn’t hear any voices, I hasten to add, but I became more and
more aware of the word Jesus has had for me and it seemed he
was beckoning to me. That word is, as it was all those years ago,
Come! Icon of Mercy - St Mary's Cathedral, Aberdeen
I first heard that word almost 30 years ago, when I attended words were being directed straight at me and I felt a longing to
my first ever Mass, a Requiem Mass for an old friend who died respond. But, alas, I didn’t feel worthy. That call was intensified
quite young. I was in a pretty low state at the time and can’t by a woman who sang the same words, beautifully set to music
remember very much about the occasion, other than the Gospel by Handel in The Messiah – Come unto him… I fully intend to
reading – Matthew 11: “Come to me, all who labour and are have this reading at my Requiem Mass!
heavy laden, and I will give you rest Take my yoke upon you, A lot of history followed, and I became more familiar with
and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and the Scriptures and found more instances of ‘my’ word being
you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my directed at me. During Lent (always when someone is preparing
burden is light.” What a wonderful invitation! It seemed these for Baptism), we hear the Samaritan woman tell her neighbours
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