Hello, friends and family. Sorry for the lack of posting. I've been somewhat exhausted. The end-of-term crunch is happening with my fifth-form classes. I have lots to organize. In addition I'm helping out with some more retreats. Good news: I have my passport extension and exit-date all worked out. The Jamaican govt. is happy to let me stay in the country - for a modest fee. I'll be on my way back to the great, white north on May 31st as planned.
The classes and retreats have been rewarding. I am speaking on themes of friendship with Christ and friendship with others, conflict resolution, maturity in relationships, and so-on.
It's very energizing to hear the decisive and interested questions of my classes. They have helped me form this reply: I could give you a lot of rules and guidelines for behaving... but I am more interested in teaching you to use your brains to examine your behaviour and decisions and help you make your own judgments based on what you truly desire and value. Hooray for Jesuit education.
The holy season of Lent continues to be a time of more focused prayer and reflection. Sometimes I think of myself as a sort of expert who, using the techniques of prayer, can grow closer to God... in the light of the Spirit, this type of thinking is revealed as simply ridiculous. The mystery of love is deep and unending. The presence of God is not something that can be conjured by special words. It is given as a gift to all people... in myriad and remarkable ways. All I can do is look to be open and receptive to that gift.
Jamaica continues to get hotter. The grass is yellowing and the pavement blazes like a stove-top in the afternoon sun. And I hope you are doing well.
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