Director's Message (April 2017)

I have a friend who, when I am getting a little anxious about things, will say – ‘just breathe’. There is wisdom in taking the time to consciously and attentively breathe. The heart rate slows and things do seem a little better. It’s also a little reminder to me to regain my spirit.  

As we move into Holy Week and the commencement of the Easter season I have been thinking about the connection between breath, spirit and prayer. The words breath and spirit are so closely connected: in Hebrew the term ‘ruah’ is feminine and can mean spirit, wind or breath. In Greek 'pneuma' is neutral in gender while ‘spiritus’ in Latin can have the meaning of spirit, soul, courage or breath. We also notice this link in the translations of the biblical texts around Jesus’ death. In Matthew’s gospel (NRSV version), Jesus ‘breathed his last' (27: 50) with a notation of ‘or gave up his spirit’. In the Jerusalem bible text Jesus ‘yielded up his spirit’ (27:50). However, prior to yielding or giving up his spirit, Jesus cries out to God and his last breath is connected to his prayer to God. This cry of Jesus from the cross is echoed in the psalm response for Passion Sunday ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me.’ (22:2a). It is with a prayer of lament that Jesus breathes the final breath. 

The close connection between breath and spirit is a reminder that at the heart of life is the God who inspires our spirit – our first and final breath – and all the breaths in between. It is also a reminder to us of the connection between spirit and prayer. So, it’s time to shift gear. After 40 retreat days it is almost time for the great celebration. In a 2014 speech, Pope Francis commented that ‘praise' is the 'breath which gives us life’. Perhaps the Easter breath of praise can inspire in us a desire to reclaim the hope of our lives and, in so doing, live and work as a hopeful people with renewed hearts. Now the work of Lent has come to fruition!

So life goes on – perhaps a little shinier in the Easter period as our ever watchful God breathes new life into our spirit. Perhaps our focus now moves from prayer, fasting and almsgiving to prayer and the energy of inspired spirit and breath. And at the end of each day, when our work is done our Easter hearts pray with renewed confidence:

'Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels and saints charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ, rest your weary ones, bless your dying ones, soothe your suffering ones, shield your joyous ones, and all for your love's sake. Amen.' (attributed to St Augustine)

Alleluia.

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Cathy Jenkins 
Director