Did not our hearts burn within us?

We had another great get-together this month with the added bonus of having Sister Beth Cruz with us. Sister Beth is a Cenacle sister who works in Rome with migrant communities.

As usual we started with lunch which was a “bring a plate” affair this time. The table was full and the company was typically loud and full of laughter as plates got shared around the table and everyone caught up with everyone else’s news over the month.

Our prayer time was very special with our gospel passage from Luke 24: 28–35, the road to Emmaus “Did our hearts not burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us”. Such richness in story and experience as people shared their own accounts of that burning within; there was a palpable heat of Presence in the room.

Then we were so lucky to have Beth tell us of her recent experience of speaking with the Pope, our beloved Pope Francis, as she waited in the crowd. She had pictures to illustrate (and prove!) her wonderful story. Beth is a raconteur of great skill – we were as entertained and mesmerised by her account as we were envious of her luck! Beth is one of those people that even though you have only just met her, you know you are going to miss her when she goes home, like a long-time friend. We wish her so much love and best wishes for her trip home and her ministry.

She gave everyone there a wonderful postcard of Pope Francis and the Cenacle Community gave her a pounamu necklace, blest and prayed over by each person there.

Did I say there was a lot of laughter? There is always a lot of that – so looking forward to the next one.

What is this precious love and laughter budding in our hearts?

It is the glorious sound of a soul waking up!

                                                                               —Hafiz