#but SJ keeps you alive until he discovers what you have

[ectocosme]

I just realised that in a AU where Shen Qingqiu ends up on Qian Cao peak as disciple, he's basically Dr. House. He's the grumpy guy who denigrates everyone's work because they missed this and that but they can't complain… because they DID miss stuff.

Shen Jiu stalks the halls with his cane like an angry ghost with a frown rivalling YQY's placid smiles. Young disciples would doubt he even needs the cane and it's not just a prop to hit them when they mess up, because sometimes the walks just fine without it.

"Everyone lies, Liu Qingge," Shen Jiu sneers. "Proof of it." And he stabs LQG with a needle when he promised not to.

Mu Qingfang taking deeps breathes before catching the man hiding somewhere away from the ruckus, "shidi why have you used a full bottle of Prime Venom from the Southern Heterochrom Tarantula on disciple Zang from Qiong Ding? I hear he has developed an infected Double sclera. Shidi knows the price of one bottle… right?"

Shen Jiu, hunched over romance books, "Yes, I know. It helped me determine what this idiot has."

Mu Qingfang perks up, "Oh? What did shidi find?"

"It's not the Butterfly-nosed-wolf rash," Shen Jiu scoffs.

(Mu Qingfang doesn't scolds him too much… because he some potions he used mixed badly with SJ's damaged cultivation, then he missed some symtoms causing his his invisible disability.)

[megalony]

Hotel of horror- Part 2

This is the follow-up part of my Ben Hardy imagine based on the movie Hotel Mumbai. It has taken me a while to write this part but it is finally finished and I hope everyone will like it.

Taglist: @lunaticspoem @butlegendsneverdie @langdonzvoid @jennyggggrrr @rogmeddows @radiob-l-a-hblah @rogertaylorsbitontheside @chlobo6 @rogertaylors-lipgloss @sj-thefan @omgitsearly @luckytrashgooprebel @scarsout @deaky-with-a-c @killer-queen-ofrhye @bluutac @vousmemanqueez @jonesyaddiction @rogahs-drowse @milanosaurus @httpfandxms @saint-hardy @7-seas-of-fat-bottomed-girls @mrsalwayswritex @rogerina-owns-me @peterquillzsblog

Part 1

Summary: Ben and (Y/n) are on holiday with their baby girl, but things take a turn for the worst when an attack happens in the hotel and they are forced to hide until help arrives.

Enjoy.

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"Be quiet, if they find us we will all be killed."

It felt as if a bolt of lightning had suddenly sparked through (Y/n)'s body when the middle aged lady's words hit her ears. She couldn't control her baby's cries, (Y/n) couldn't tell her six month old baby to be quiet because she was scared and she had no understanding of the world around her or what was happening. Crying was a natural response to fear and being unsettled and that was what Charlie was doing.

But nevertheless, (Y/n) cradled her baby girl that much closer to her shoulder in hopes of trying to either smother her cries of terror or soothing her so she would calm down and settle. Her trembling hand pressed to the back of Charlie's head to reassure her as she leaned forward like she was trying to press her head into her knees. Every muscle in (Y/n)'s body was shaking and jerking like she was having some sort of seizure and her tongue was bleeding from how badly she was biting down on it to stop any cries or sounds from leaving her lips.

"If they come up to this floor and check this room we will all be killed. You think they will just miss this room completely when they go scouting for people to shoot? She's a baby, don't put the blame on her." Ben hissed the words back at the lady like a venomous snake, swatting his hand out as he pointed at the woman who had no decency.

If this floor got checked and the shooters came rushing into this room, not everyone would be able to get out alive, someone will die. They wouldn't just overlook this room once they found out where the door was, Charlie crying wouldn't make much of a difference in this situation and Ben wasn't having that lady blame Charlie for being scared.

Turning his head back to look at (Y/n), Ben gently cupped her face in his hands and pressed his forehead against her own so her eyes were focused on him and no one else. His knees were pressing against her legs as he was crouched down in front of her, trying his best to calm her down but his anxiety was flying through the roof. Each bullet that got fired made him feel closer and closer to death and that was something he never thought he would experience in his life. Ben didn't want to die, it was one of his worst fears in life but his fear for his wife and daughter was much more consuming and it wouldn't leave him alone.

The gunshots ceased yet again but (Y/n) didn't dare move a muscle or make a sound other than trying to breathe as silently as humanly possible. It felt like if she moved she would give away where they were. If she moved her foot one inch to the left the doors would suddenly burst open and everyone would die just like the hundreds of other people in this hotel that hadn't been lucky enough to hide. They had heard the screams and the bullets to know that not everyone was as lucky as the other people trapped in this room.

When Ben ever so slowly pulled away from (Y/n) and stood up, she didn't have the energy or the will to try and see what he was doing or where he was going. The two entrances into this room were locked and bolted, Ben wasn't going to just walk out of this room but (Y/n) couldn't try and worry what he was trying to do. All she could do was count each breath she took and rock the baby in her arms back and forth.

Ben kept his footsteps light and his breaths paced and as even as he could as he slowly walked around the perimeter of the room they were confined into which looked more like a posh club than anything else. When he circled the room, he went back over to (Y/n) and crouched down in front of her again.

"Baby, we need to go." His words caused (Y/n)'s eyes to narrow and her head to shake but she didn't understand what he was saying.

They were safe in here, the doors were locked and had barriers in front of them to form a blockade. They were safe in here and that was what they needed, somewhere to sit and feel safe until the emergency services and the police could get to them and get them out of this hotel. Trying to get out of this room and find a way out of the hotel could get them killed, (Y/n) would rather sit here and be safe than take a chance and risk dying.

"Go where? W-we're safe in here-"

"No baby, no we're not. No room is safe because they're roaming all over this hotel, we've heard them and they're getting closer. Our only chance of getting out is to move around and try to find a safe way out, what if they're on this floor right now? I need to keep you safe and I can't do that if we're sitting ducks waiting for them in here."

This room was only safe until it was discovered and Ben would stake a guess that those shooters wouldn't leave this room until they got inside and killed everyone who was hiding behind the doors. If they moved around they would be safe because it made them harder to find and if they stayed in a room that had already been gunned down, the shooters were less likely to go back to the area they had already been to. Ben knew the shooters were close by and the lack of gunshots could mean they were getting closer instead of moving further away.

(Y/n) started to shake her head but another gunshot made her jump with how loud it sounded in her ears like it had gone off right next to her. When her eyes locked with Ben's, he knew she was agreeing with him.

When Ben stood to his full height again, he reached his arms out and slowly helped (Y/n) to her feet, his heart lurching into his throat because she looked like she was going to collapse or faint with how pale she was and how badly she was shaking. He kept an arm secured around her waist before he started walking them both over to the other side of the room, away from where he guessed the gunshots were coming from.

When the couple reached the door on the other side of the room that (Y/n) guessed was a servant's entrance, one of the staff who was hiding away with them rushed out to stand in front of them. He started to shake his head, whispering at them furiously to move away.

"Unlock the door." Ben kept his voice low but his demand was clear and his expression showed he wasn't trying to debate here. He wanted out of this room and he wanted to get out now so he could find a way to get his family out of this hotel for good. He wanted to be somewhere safe and he never wanted to see this god forsaken hotel again.

"Sir, please sit back down. We are safe in here I can assure you, help is on the way-"

"The shooters are on the other side of that wall, no one is safe in this place and I won't sit and wait to be shot. We've been in here for three hours and no one is here to get us out. No one is coming to save us so I'm getting my family out on my own. Now open that fucking door and let us out because we have a better chance running that sitting." Ben kept the man's gaze until he seemed to cave when a few other guests started to quietly voice that they wanted to leave.

They had been sat in here for just over three hours and in that time they had heard people knocking on the door and they heard people dying and attackers shooting others dead. Sitting in here for much longer would send every one of them insane and it was starting to do that to Ben already. He was going to get his family out because no one else was going to do that for him. If the police were here they were doing hardly anything to help and no evacuation or rescue team had arrived in the three and a half hours that this attack had been happening.

They had to save themselves from this mess.

The member of staff looked like he was about to burst into tears as he very quietly placed the key into the lock and slowly turned it until the door chimed and the lock was undone. He undid the bolts on the top and bottom of the door and moved a few chairs out of the way before holding the door open for everyone who wanted to leave. More than half of the room wanted to stay but Ben, (Y/n) and about ten other guests quickly but quietly left their confinement of three hours.

Ben kept his hands on (Y/n)'s shoulders, not daring to let go of her for even one second as they started their descent down the stairwell. When they got down one flight of stairs, (Y/n) held her breath and froze in place when voices could be heard from the next floor below. Not waiting to hear the voices getting louder, (Y/n) hurried over to the right where there was a door leading out into the corridor. They couldn't head down the next level when it definitely sounded like the shooters were down there. The voices were calm and rational and not in a language that anyone seemed to understand. No one would be talking calmly or in their normal volume if they were scared of getting shot.

(Y/n) didn't know what she was looking for when her eyes roamed the corridor three times over. Maybe she was looking for an open door, maybe she was looking for the police to tell her to follow them, or maybe she was just looking for a shooter to point a gun her way.

As they stumbled down the corridor, the only sound being their feet hitting the carpet, Ben dared to turn his head to see if any of the other guests were following them down this way. Ben would hate to be leading everyone and have them think he knew a way out when in fact he and (Y/n) were both running blind. But as he looked behind him and saw no one, his body shuddered and leaned forward when a bullet hit the wall at the end of the corridor behind them.

Reaching his hand out, Ben pushed open a side door that led into a smaller corridor which showed another set of rooms.

"Someone's shooting, go, go!" His words were rushed but they were full of panic as his hand moved to the base of (Y/n)'s spine, trying not to push her but needing to keep her in front of him and keep her moving quickly. The moment they were in the next corridor, gunshots could be heard that were evidently getting closer to them.

(Y/n) ducked her head down and concentrated on looking at the detailed pattern of the carpet as she held Charlie as tight as she could to her chest, needing to stop their baby from crying and alerting people they were there. In an act of desperation, Ben turned to the right and started hitting his fist against any doors he could, trying to be quiet but loud enough for someone to hear and (Y/n) started to do the same on the left side.

"Open the door, open the door!"

Turning her head, (Y/n) felt her eyes going wide like she was a deer in the headlights when she could hear footsteps down the end of the corridor she was very close to. She could see the corridor curving round a corner to the right and she could begin to see the barrel of a gun becoming visible. Latching her hand to the back of Charlie's head, (Y/n)'s eyes locked with Ben's the moment she bolted across to his side of the corridor where there was a wall to cover them from the sight of the shooter rounding the corner into their corridor.

Wrapping his arms around (Y/n), Ben spun them around so (Y/n)'s back was pressed against the wall and his body was shielding her own with Charlie pressed tightly between them. One of Ben's hands cradled the back of (Y/n)'s neck as his other hand placed firmly to the wall to steady himself. His eyes fell closed and almost silent murmurs started to leave his lips under his breath but (Y/n) couldn't work out what he was saying.

Ben leaned his head against (Y/n)'s as he could feel tears welling in his eyes, he sincerely doubted that there was a chance the shooter would spare them or keep them as hostages. He didn't even think they would spare Charlie, despite her being a baby.

Daring to open her eyes for a last ditched attempt at trying to see if anyone had opened their doors to give them shelter, (Y/n) reached up and tugged on Ben's shirt sleeve. His eyes opened and he turned his head to follow her line of sight, his heart jumping into his throat when he realised where she was looking.

A utility cupboard.

Keeping one arm around (Y/n), Ben shuffled across the carpet and reached a cautious hand out to the cupboard door. It opened without a sound, much to their relief and Ben was quick to push (Y/n) inside before he squashed himself into the tight space with her and closed the door. There were small patterns in the wood which allowed small visible holes to see out of without it being clear that someone was hiding int he cupboard.

Lowering his head so his line of sight was clear through one of the gaps in the wood, Ben watched with utter panic and terror flowing through his body. He almost jumped when he saw the shooter slowly walk into his line of sight, a handgun stuffed into a holster on his waist and what Ben guessed was a rifle held loosely in his hands like it was just a prop or some toy he was lounging around with. Every so often he would knock on the doors to see if someone would open up so he could use them as target practise.

But Ben quickly turned his head from staring out of the gap to look at (Y/n) who was leaning against the wall beside the door, her front pressed against his own. He shook his head when he felt how her breaths were becoming shallow and hitching higher and higher in her throat. She sounded like she was about to cry or gasp for air like she was drowning.

"Sshh." Ben mouthed the motion as a small breath of air escaped his lips before he reached out and covered (Y/n)'s mouth with the palm of his hand when she couldn't help how her breaths hitched in her throat.

Ben's eyes were wide with caution which (Y/n) could clearly see despite the dim light coming into the cupboard from the corridor. His other arm was wrapped around her waist to keep her and Charlie tightly held against him for comfort and reassurance as his palm was shaking against her lips. He didn't want to try and smother her but if (Y/n) made one audible sound then they would be found.

Both their eyes very slowly cast downwards until they locked on Charlie when the tiniest whimper left her lips. As if they were both thinking the same thing, (Y/n) shakily pressed Charlie closer into her shoulder and chest as Ben tensed his arm around (Y/n), pulling her closer so his chest was moulded over Charlie's frame and her head. Both of them tried to smother her whimpers and keep her as silent as she could be. The thought of them smothering her made them both want to be sick but it was better to try and smother her than have them be found and shot.

(Y/n) pressed her eyes closed as tight as she could manage until the muscles in her eyelids physically ached and felt like they were tearing in two. Her neck started to shake from how tense she was keeping her head and how her throat was almost closing up from the need to suppress and swallow her screams and her cries of horror.

She could feel Ben's hand tensing, trying so hard not to press any harder against her mouth in case he hurt her and he was refraining from applying too much pressure onto Charlie and hurting her since he was cocooned around Charlie's whole frame and around (Y/n)'s chest. When Ben's lips pressed to her the top of her head and her hair, (Y/n) wanted to cry.

What if this was the last time she would feel Ben's touch? What if it was the last time she would hold Charlie in her arms?

(Y/n) didn't want to die.

The moment Ben's hand slowly slipped from her lips, (Y/n)'s eyes bolted open and she saw the look on his face. The corridor was clear, at least for now. He quickly added a small air of space between them so he wasn't crushing Charlie anymore and when (Y/n) pulled her a little from her shoulder, the little girl started to cough and whimper.

Torrents of tears flushed down (Y/n)'s cheeks that were already stained with tears. Her head tilted up when Ben pressed his hands to her face, smoothing his thumbs over her cheeks before he pressed a deep but shaken kiss to her lips.

"Sshh, I love you, I love you so much. I'm gonna get you both out of here, I promise."

(Y/n) barely managed to nod her head in response to his words before she watched Ben take another look through the patterns to make sure there was no one else coming down the corridor so they could have a clear escape from this corridor. They couldn't head down the corridor like they would have before because the shooter had just gone in that direction and following after someone with a rifle wasn't the best option.

"We need to go back the way we came into the other corridor and try to get to the stairs at the back. If we get downstairs to the ground floor then we can try and get out." Ben knew that being anywhere than the ground floor meant they couldn't get out, lest they wanted to risk their chances with jumping down to safety. If they went down some servant stairs or down a quiet stairwell somewhere then they could try and get out through some back door or even out the front entrance.

A lot of shooters were now in the upper levels, the ground floor might be less protected giving them a better chance of escape.

(Y/n) didn't trust her voice so she simply nodded her head in agreement whilst she bounced Charlie in her arms who was still gurgling and whimpering. Quietly shushing the little girl, (Y/n) pressed her lips to the top of Charlie's head as Ben slowly opened the door and stepped out. (Y/n)'s arms were beginning to ache from how tightly she was holding Charlie against her but the dull ache was overwhelmed by the fear that was causing (Y/n) to hold her daughter so tightly against her.

Part of (Y/n) felt the desperate need to stay huddled up in the utility cupboard because at least that way they could see who was passing down the corridor and they would be virtually invisible and safe. But it would be the same as sitting in that club they had been in for three hours. They wouldn't be safe if a shooter decided to check in the cupboard and they would be no closer to getting outside to freedom and out of danger. Moving was their only chance.

(Y/n) kept herself tightly pressed into Ben's side when they backtracked down the corridor with quick but light footsteps. Neither of them were ever ones for panic or suspense, simply watching a thriller movie made them fret and jump in surprise, being in this type of situation was their worst nightmare. (Y/n) couldn't control her heartbeat or her breathing or how badly she was shaking, her body wasn't under her control and that felt horrid. And Ben didn't like how he had no control over the situation, being in charge and in control made him feel safer but right now he wasn't safe and he wasn't in charge.

Reaching his hand out, Ben opened the door that would lead them into the corridor they had been in before and he leaned his head out before reeling back in. His arm reached out and pressed over (Y/n)'s front to keep them both leaning back against the wall, out of anyone's sight.

Ben pointed to signal the left side of the corridor there was someone walking down before he pressed his finger to his lips. (Y/n) nodded and pressed her head into his bicep, closing her eyes to try and keep herself calm and imagine that she was somewhere else. But her eyes opened again when Ben gently tugged on her arm before he started to move. He kept his arm reached out behind him so he could hold onto (Y/n) as they headed into the corridor and turned right.

They made their way down the corridor that seemed so eerily quiet for a hotel in turmoil, it felt like they were just trying to get back to their room after midnight without waking any of the other guests up. Rather than trying to find a way to escape a hotel that felt like a maze that was trying to trap them.

Tipping her head down against Charlie's, (Y/n) felt tears beginning to fall from her eyes again when a sudden wail escaped the little girl's lips. They didn't know how far away any of the shooters were, they might still be able to hear them and right now they needed to be deadly quiet to get away.

Ben slowly turned his head to look at (Y/n) over his shoulder as they continued to head down the corridor, unsure where they were going or where the stairs would be from here.

"She never settles for me." (Y/n)'s words were as quiet as she could make them which caused a few syllables to disappear but Ben heard her all the same. Charlie was a daddy's girl, when she was in Ben's arms she was calm and although she did settle for (Y/n), it was always Ben who Charlie wanted and right now she didn't want (Y/n).

Ben's teeth gritted together, he didn't want to take Charlie right now because he wanted to stay in front and try to keep the girls behind him. If they stayed behind him he felt like he could protect them in case any shooters came from in front. If he had Charlie in his arms he wasn't protecting her like he wanted to. But when Charlie's wails hit the air again, Ben turned around and gently reached down for the little girl. He tried his best to shush her and keep her calm as he settled her against the middle of his chest, moving his shirt out of the way so she was resting on his bare chest.

His fingers gently brushed over her small tufts of hair as he started to walk forwards again, feeling (Y/n)'s hands on his hips so she didn't lose him or become parted in any way. He could feel her breaths fanning against his shoulder but it was oddly calming, it let him know that she was right behind him and right now, (Y/n) was okay and safe.

Charlie felt like a comfort to Ben when he could feel her small hand brushing against his chest and her breaths and whimpers against his skin. She was calming down his erratic heartbeat as he reached the end of the corridor.

Looking left and right at the end of the corridor, Ben noticed a small opening across from them and he guessed it was a servant's stairs. The doors to those stairs were always hidden and made to look like they blended into the walls so no one could see them coming and going. (Y/n) dared to peek over Ben's shoulder before she pressed her face into his skin like she had done earlier in the evening. Allowing him to guide her over to the stairs as she stayed silent and clinging to him for dear life.

When they got into the stairwell, both of them shuddered and (Y/n) pushed her face into Ben's shirt to stop herself from gasping or squeaking when raised voices in a different language could be heard from up the stairs. When very loud footsteps started to crash against the metal, Ben reached behind him and grabbed (Y/n)'s hand before he bolted down the stairs, pulling her along with him. They seemed to be heading in the right direction but they had to be quick before they were spotted.

(Y/n) latched her free hand around Ben's arm, clinging to the limb that she was pulling into her chest as if Ben's arm was a rope that she had to hold onto to save herself. Her feet caught on the steps but it didn't slow her down or trip her up, despite how her feet were flailing around to try and hurry. (Y/n) didn't quite know how Ben managed to hurry down the stairs with Charlie in one arm and (Y/n) clinging to the other, but he managed very well.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, (Y/n) pulled on Ben's arm to start running in the direction she guessed they should be going. But the moment they pushed through the door, (Y/n) stumbled back and bumped into Ben's side as a strangled breath escaped her lips.

Ben's hand latched around (Y/n)'s arm to keep her against him when someone bolted past them quicker than lightning, almost bashing into them when he skidded to turn round the corner. (Y/n) turned her head to watch where the man was going, wondering if he knew where the quickest way out of here would be but her eyes snapped to look ahead when more panicked voices flooded the air along with bullets splitting through the atmosphere.

"Through the kitchen." Ben's voice was rushed and panicked and (Y/n) needed no more convincing than that to follow where everyone else was running. Her feet skidded against the polished floor but (Y/n) kept herself upright until she leaned over out of instinct when the bullets got louder and closer.

Everyone was bumping shoulders or tripping over one another and kicking those who had fallen or been gunned down, but no one stopped running. Despite bashing into kitchen worktops or skidding on pots and pans and grabbing knives for protection that would do nothing against a bullet.

A flood of panic swelled in (Y/n)'s chest when Ben's hand suddenly slipped from her own but when she whipped her head around to look for him, he was right behind her. He retracted his hand from hers so he could keep Charlie more secure against his chest, he couldn't have anyone bumping into him and lose his grip on Charlie. He had to keep her safe. To make sure she didn't lose Ben and Charlie anywhere in the ruckus, (Y/n) grabbed his upper arm and slowed just a little until she was running beside him instead of in front of him. If (Y/n) lost Ben for even a second she wouldn't be able to breathe from the panic that would consume her fully.

(Y/n) didn't bother to hide the cries and screams pent up in her lungs anymore because no one was bothering to be silent anymore. Her body shuddered and lurched to the right, pushing Ben along with her when the woman running on her left was suddenly gunned down. (Y/n) attempted to turn her head, her eyes focused on the woman who was now dead because that could just have easily have been (Y/n). But Ben's arm moved and his hand was suddenly gripping the back of her neck, turning her head so she was looking forwards instead of looking back. Committing that image to memory was not something Ben thought (Y/n) should do.

"We're almost out, just keep running."

The kitchen felt like it was never-ending and when it tunnelled into a passage that turned to the right and then swiftly manoeuvred to the left, everyone seemed packed together like sardines.

It was dark.

The night sky was black but there were streams of smoke and beacons of golden orange and burning red from fires split up over the city that could be seen over the rooftops in the distance. (Y/n) didn't know what time it was, she lost track of time the moment the first gunshot had sounded, but running out into the darkness of the street seemed more real and down to earth than running into the bright sunlight would have.

There were fences put up and guards with barriers, blocking off the reporters and the public trying to get closer, clearly not knowing what kind of terrors would await them if they dared step inside.

Everyone running out seemed to tunnel straight through the barriers and then they all dispersed into different ways. Some went straight ahead, some were pulled to the side and taken to ambulances or police cars, others just ran off into the street or into the night, desperate to disappear.

(Y/n) felt her feet slowing down when she didn't know which way she was meant to run. She didn't know what she was supposed to do now because she was out. She was in the safety of the police and the public, out in the fresh air that posed so much safety than the inside of the hotel did. (Y/n) didn't think she would have reached this point, she thought her body would only get out of the hotel laid on a stretcher or in a body bag. But she had come out running, now where was she supposed to run to when she had reached the finish line already?

Her sudden questions were answered when Ben's hand was on her shoulder, pulling her backwards into a quiet corner out of the way of all the others still running to their freedom.

Spinning around on her heels, (Y/n) tipped her head down so she could try and catch back all the air that she had lost. When she felt like she wasn't going to collapse or faint, her head slowly picked up until she was looking at Charlie who was bundled up in Ben's shirt curled against his chest as her cries were now free to roam the air.

No words passed between the couple, only silent tears fell from their eyes before Ben reached out and pulled (Y/n) into his chest. His hand tangled into her hair, his fingers stroking the back of her head as he turned his head to press his lips against the side of her temple.

They made it out.

[soybeantree]

fugue

pairing: kim seokjin x reader  genre/warning:  fluff. word count:  description: “ultimately, we're all actors: i'm putting on a costume, so we're playing pretend.” a/n: this is part 2 of a series based on the outfits of bts’ ‘boy with luv’ dance practice. it’s been years since we put out the first one...can this even be counted as a series then?

The gate creaks open, and you sigh with relief when it stays on its hinges. Your brother promised to come over and fix the gate, but as police chief and a new dad his schedule is a bit full. "Be careful with the gate." You advise your guest as he enters. His gaze drifts over the yard and house, and you fidget with your keys as you examine everything through his eyes. The sun has bleached the walls, leaving the house a shadow of its former self. However, the windows glisten in the afternoon light, and the yard is freshly raked, the bushes neatly trimmed. A stone path leads from the gate to the patio of mismatched furniture. It's no palace, but it is home. "I've made up my brother's old room for you." You say as you start up the path. His footsteps sound behind you. "Your brother doesn't mind?" His voice is a whisper, a surprise for a man of his height and breadth. "My brother hasn't lived here in years." You throw a smile over your shoulder. "Besides, he's the one who suggested you stay here." "Your brother is the police chief?"

You nod as you attempt to unlock the front door. The key always sticks. Your brother said he would also look at that. The bolt finally slides back, and you usher the man in, closing the door behind you. "I'm sure you'll want to shower and change. My brother says you've been in those clothes since they found you." He glances down at his clothes then to you. His eyes are saucers, and he looks completely lost. "But I don't have anything else to wear." With a grin, you hold out the bag you've been carrying. "I went and picked up some things for you. The clothes aren't as nice as what you have on, but they're clean." He takes the bag, opening it to examine the contents. "My clothes are nice?" His attention shifts back to you. While he's dressed simply in jeans, a t-shirt, and a jacket, there is nothing simple about the clothes. Designer brands are not your forte, but you know when something is designer. His entire outfit probably costs more than you make in a month. "It's a good thing." You assure him. "It means you're probably rich, and it's easier to be found if you're rich." His expression shifts from lost to pained. You brother said that happens whenever he tries to remember. "The bathroom is straight down this hallway. My brother's room is the door on the left. You'll find towels and soap on the  bed. Once you're finished you can come to the kitchen." You point to the door on your right. "I should have dinner ready by then." He pauses a moment in the living room, taking in the walls and furnishings. Most of the furniture is older than you. Plastic wrap kept it in perfect condition while your parents were alive. Unable to stand sticking to your couch, you have since removed it, though a few years passed before you could. The TV is new, a birthday present from your brother. Pictures cover the walls, hiding the outdated wallpaper. They document your life from birth to now. Some cause you to cringe, but you leave them. "This is-was my parents' home." You offer as explanation. "They left it to my brother and I when they passed. My brother already had a house, so it became mine." His gaze shift to you as you speak. He clings to your every word, causing the words dry up on your tongue. You want to say something deep and insightful that will help him navigate through this now unfamiliar world, but nothing comes. "Bring your clothes with you when you’re done. I can throw them in the wash. Unless you want to have them dry cleaned." His brows furrow. "They're nice. The washer might ruin them." You explain. He picks at his shirt. "I don't mind washing it. You're already doing so much for me." His smile is soft and tugs at your heart. He bobs his head and walks back to the bathroom. You enter the kitchen. When your brother called asking for help with an amnesiac who needed a place to stay, you had laughed. Your town doesn't even have a McDonalds. There's no way something as crazy as an amnesiac showing up at the police station would happen, but when you arrived, SJ was sitting on a bench, staring at the wall. Bewildered and begrimed though he was, he appeared as a prince fallen from a fairy tale. His name isn't SJ. Your brother explained as he provided all the information they had gathered about the town's new arrival. The only identifying information on him was a handkerchief with the initials KSJ, so the station had taken to calling him SJ. He would only be with you for a few days, your brother had assured. You agreed to host him. How could you not? He was a lost puppy with big brown eyes. Dinner is ready when SJ comes in. He looks more human in the thrift store clothes you bought. His wet hair hangs over his eyes and a small smile tugs on his lips. He hands you his clothes and you direct him to eat. The shower and food ease the man out of his confusion and sorrow. He asks you questions about your brother and family and the small town where you have lived all your life. Talking about yourself is awkward at first, but the more you talk, the more you realize you have to say. By nights end, you both are laughing until your bellies ache. —— As the days pass, you discover SJ acts more the Cinderella than the prince. He loves to cook and clean and excels at both. He can fix anything, and he has too much energy to stay cooped up in your house. When he brought out the tooth brush with the intention of cleaning the grout in the kitchen, you dragged him to the town center. They were always needing volunteers. The old ladies at the town center fell in love with him instantly. Everyday, he comes to help with the center's activities. He will even run errands for the old ladies. Mrs. Park has already promised him a sweater. When he's not at the City Center, he goes to the library to read the national newspapers. So far, none have mentioned a missing person matching his description. Your brother has had similar success. Despite the lack of progress SJ remains positive. The shadowy man you met that first day was washed away in the shower. —— "I think bingo went well." You tease as you tuck gift cards into your wallet. SJ continues to pout, his lower lip puffing up to completely cover the top. Chuckling, you return your wallet to your purse and slip your arm under his. "We can add sore loser to the list of your traits." "I'm not a sore loser." He protests, pulling his arm from yours. "Mrs. Lim swapped my bingo card with hers, so she could win." He faces you fully, his face bright with indignation. "Her name was written on all of her cards." Soft and sweet, you offer the words as a salve. "She wrote it after she swapped them." He rejects the offer. Shaking your head, you continue down the sidewalk to the house. SJ splutters behind you but quickly catches up with you. "We should report her." "To who?" "Your brother." "The police chief has better things to worry about than a potential bingo board thief." "Not potential. She is." Your response dies on your lips as you round the corner onto your street. A black Rolls Royce sits parked in front of your house. SJ comes to a halt beside you. As you glance at him, you wait for recognition, but he wears the wild-eyed, bewildered expression from his early days with you. Slipping your fingers through his, you lead him forward. The car door opens at your approach, and a man from whose hair time has leached the color steps out. He bows to you both, a wistful smile pushing up the wrinkles on his cheeks. "Master Seokjin." His gravely voice gives the meaning behind the initials. SJ's grip tightens around your fingers, and you place your free hand on your entwined fingers. "Do you recognize him?" He shakes his head. "I'm sorry. Could you please tell us your name and how you know SJ?" The man glances between you two. His gaze settles on SJ. "My family has served Master Seokjin's for over a hundred years. You may call me-" "Pang." SJ finishes for him. The man smiles, and while SJ may not return the gesture, a light appears in his eyes. "We should go inside." You whisper. Releasing SJ's hand, you head to the gate which opens without protest. The two men follow behind you up the path and to the house. The key unlocks the door on the first try. You hold it wide for them to walk through. They stand awkwardly in the living room until you instruct them to sit. While you go to prepare tea, they begin to talk. Pang initiates the conversation. You strain your ears, but the kitchen door muffles the words. Tea finished, you fill two mugs and reenter the living room. SJ beams at you as he accepts the mug. You mirror his expression and squeeze his shoulder with your now free hand before handing the second mug to Pang. Even though curiosity and some unnamed emotion burns through your veins, you return to the kitchen and your own cup of tea. As the hours head to midnight, you nod off at the table. A hand on your shoulder rouses you from your half-sleep. Glancing over your shoulder, you find SJ. "Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep. Is Pang going to stay the night? I can make up the spare room." "He's staying at a hotel in the next town over. I'm going with him. My memory is coming back bit by bit, and there's a lot I have to take care of." You nod, the only response you can find. A darkness settles on your shoulders, weighing them down, but you force them back and with a smile give SJ your blessing. He found the answers he's been searching for. You won't keep him from them. —— SJ-Seokjin, as you constantly remind yourself, has yet to return. He sent a text telling you he was well and would be meeting up with is family. Who his family is or where they are, he failed to mention, and you kept yourself from prying. Life refuses to return to normal. Everyone asks after Seokjin, and you have to force a smile and give the same answer a thousand times. The old ladies at the community center bemoan his absence, and the sweater Mrs. Park finished sits in a bag on your couch. Every time you open the gate or unlock the door, his memory surfaces. As you sit and eat your hastily made dinner, you stare at the empty chair across from you. Before he crashed into your life, the silence in the house had gone unnoticed. Now, it is deafening. Coming home after work, you round the corner onto your street and nearly trip over your feet as you come to a stop. A black Rolls Royce idles in front of your house. Tears prick at the back of your eyes, and your legs itch to race forward so you can wrap your arms around the one whom you know is inside. You force your feet to move forward one step at a time. As you draw closer, the back door opens, and Seokjin emerges. In place of the thrift store clothes which made up his wardrobe, he wears what you guess is designer. The cut and style are simple, but the fabric is rich, and the clothes tailored to his form. Standing beside his carriage, he is the prince returned to his fairy tale. When you are feet from him, he closes the car door and steps towards the gate. You halt, drawing his attention to you before he can open it. "If you've come for your clothes, I can get them and bring them out to you. There's no need for you to come in." His brow lowers as his face twists into the expression he wore during the beginning of your acquaintance. "My clothes?" "I also have the sweater from Mrs. Park. They're both in a bag by the door." Your voice waivers, but you force yourself to continue. "It won't take more than a minute to grab it, and then you can be on your way." "What are you doing?" His tone snaps your attention to him. He wears an expression you've never witnessed before, and it makes your stomach twist. "You really think I'm here for my clothes? After everything, you think I'd come back take my clothes and disappear?" Your lips move soundlessly. "Wh-wh-what was I supposed to expect?" You splutter out. "You've been gone for weeks, and all I got from you was one text. I know you were busy remembering everything, but still one text. I thought-" The words burn in your chest and force tears from your eyes. "I thought you had remembered who you were and realized you're too good for this tiny town and-and," you take a shaky breath, "and too good for me." The thought has gone round and round in your head since he left until it became the only possibility. Watching Seokjin crumble, you want to reverse time and swallow your words. But, they have pierced him. The wound growing larger. "You should-" Before you can continue, his arms wrap around you, and he pulls you into the warmth and safety of his embrace. “I’m sorry.” He whispers into your hair. “I shouldn’t have left the way I did. Not after everything you and everyone here did for me.” He pulls back, his arms dropping so that his hands brush against yours. The touch sends tingles racing up your arms. You cross them in hopes of dampening the sensation. After a quick cough to clear his throat, Seokjin continues. “I would never think that way about this town and especially not you. I owe you my life.” “That’s a little extreme.” You mumble, your eyes fixed on the cracks in the sidewalk. Seokjin chuckles, a sound whose absence had left an ache in your heart. Its return sends heat flooding to your cheeks, and a finger beneath your chin raises your head, allowing Seokjin to see your embarrassment. His eyes lock on yours. “It’s not extreme. Very few people would open their home to a stranger, especially one with no memory. Without you, they would have taken me to a psych ward, and I would have been miserable.” A shudder shakes his shoulder. A chuckle slips out unbidden. You duck your head before you catch his responding smile. Your emotions are running rampant and that sight would only make things worse. Ever persistent, Seokjin crouches low and cranes his neck until his eyes are level with yours once more. You swat at him as a laugh bubbles out. “Why are you always so ridiculous? I’m glad to know that really is part of your personality.” “As it turns out, I’m a very steadfast person. The way I acted with you is the way I’ve acted my whole life. SJ and Seokjin are the same person.” “Good to know.” You say as you raise your head. “Do you forgive me then?” He pulls his puppy eyes, pulling up his bottom lip until it quivers. With a groan, you shake your head. “Of course.” He laughs, wrapping you in another hug as he bounces up and down. “Excellent.” He says as he steps back and grabs your hand. “Because I have so much to tell you.” Walking forward, he leads you through the gate. “And what was that you were saying about Mrs. Park’s sweater.”

[romancatholicreflections]

21st May >> Sunday Homilies & Reflections for Roman Catholics on the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A.

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – Year A Gospel Text : John 14:15-21 jESUS AND SPIRIT vs.15 Jesus said to his disciples, “If you love me you will keep my commandments. vs.16 I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. vs.17 This is the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. vs.18 I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. vs.19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. vs.20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. vs.21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” ********************************************* We have four sets of homily notes to choose from. Please scroll down the page for the desired one. Michel DeVerteuil : A Trinidadian Holy Ghost Priest, Specialist in Lectio Divina Thomas O’Loughlin: Professor of Historical Theology, University of Wales. Lampeter. John Littleton: Director of the Priory Institute Distant Learning, Tallaght Donal Neary SJ: Editor of The Sacred Heart Messenger ******************************************************* Michel de Verteuil Lectio Divina with the Sunday Gospels – Year A www.columba.ie General comments Last SLike last Sunday’s passage, this reading will seem abstract to you at first, but situate it in the context of the Last Supper and you will recognize the movement of Jesus’ thought from your own experience and from the lives of great people you have known or read about. As always, it may be helpful to divide the passage and meditate on one section at a time. Verses 15 to 17: Jesus makes a difference between the way he has been present to the disciples until then and the way he will be present to them after he leaves them. Read it from the point of view of a teacher or a parent who must leave children, or from your memories of any teaching that was outside yourself and then became part of you. Verses 18 and 19: The same movement expressed in a new metaphor – being orphaned and then realizing that we are not lost after all. Verse 20: This is a precious verse. It describes the moment when we read the story of Jesus in the gospels and discover that it is not the story of someone outside ourselves, but our own story, and that therefore our stories are really sacred. Great teachers can promise their followers that one day they will experience something similar. Verse 21: Jesus describes the process of getting to know him, starting from a different point – the person follows his teaching and then enters into a deep relationship with him. Prayer Reflection Lord, we thank you that you have called us to be leaders in our community. At present things are going well: there is trust among us, we share many things, and we are working together. But we know that this will not last forever, and so we pray that the values we have grown to believe in may become part of us, so that even though the majority of people around us do not accept them, we may continue to live by them, and even though outwardly we will no longer be a community, we may remain one because of that inner bond that unites us. Global heroesLord, from time to time you send us a wonderful person who guides and inspires us; when they die or leave us we feel orphaned. But then we discover that they are still with us. Others – even our friends – cannot understand this, but we know that this person is alive, and we know that our lives are fuller because of this. Lord, forgive us that we always want to see things: – we have become so dependent on external stimuli; – we must be listening to the radio or watching the television; – we need to hear sermons or read spiritual books. Teach us to quieten ourselves so that we may listen to our inner rhythms: – the memories we have, both painful and happy; – the deep longings of our hearts; – the instincts of our nature. Remind us that Jesus prayed for us that you would make your presence known to us within the truth of ourselves. Lord, we thank you for those wonderful moments of grace when we knew that our lives were sacred. We had read the story of Jesus, but it was the story of someone else – the story of the saints, of extraordinary people. Now we experienced that we too are living Jesus lives, and we are your presence in the world. Lord, we thank you for people we have known who are not Christians but who love the teachings of Jesus and keep them. We know, Father, that you love them as we love them, and we pray that you may continue to show yourself to them. ************************************************** Thomas O’Loughlin Liturgical Resources for the Year of Matthew www.columba.ie Introduction to the Celebration We gather to celebrate in the presence of the risen Lord. We are called to be the people who bear witness to his victory over death. We are the people who proclaim the Father’s forgiveness to the ends of the earth by being people who are forgiving. Homily notes 1. The demanding stance on how Christians are to react to persecution in 1 Peter makes this a fine occasion to reflect on the ever present question of Christians and violence. 2. It is interesting to note the number of times that public figures quote scripture without knowing it (e.g. ‘going the extra mile for peace’ (President Clinton) is an allusion to Mt 5:41) and it is cited both with approval and non-approval. Invariably when one hears quotations on non-violence cited, they are implied to be feeble and silly, if not downright wrong: thus ‘turn the other cheek’ (Mt 5:39) is not presented as the statement of wisdom, but of a stupidity that acquiesces to evil. While few who declare themselves Christians take the hawkish position of ‘take ’em on, take ’em out!’, there is an awareness that one must stand up to bullies, those who abuse power, those who trample on other’s rights, especially those who abuse the weak, poor, defenceless. Amidst the continuing carnage in the Central African Republic, leaders of churches and mosques are jointly praying for peace Amidst the continuing carnage in the Central African Republic, leaders of churches and mosques are jointly praying for peace This dilemma has lead to the traditional unwillingness of the church to adopt a pacifist position. Pacifism has a simple attractiveness, but the pacifist must ask this question: is it right for me not to oppose someone who if not stopped will destroy not only me, but others who may not be able to stand up for themselves? While using force can appear immoral, pacifism too can be immoral in that I am passively collaborating in suffering being caused to others. Thus I may, in the exercise of my freedom, be destroying the freedom of others. Pacifism poses moral problems, and can be a selfish opting out of our moral responsibilities to others weaker than ourselves. This is a dilemma; but we are certain that those who set out to dominate others act evilly, and a wilful hawkishness cannot be reconciled with Christianity for which force is always a last resort. 3. However, the situation envisaged in 1 Peter is slightly different: how should Christians react when they are being persecuted as Christians – it is their behaviour precisely as Christians that is the issue. They are to give an account of their beliefs but to do so with courtesy. Put another way, they do make their stand known, but do not ‘fight fire with fire’. They cannot have recourse to methods of bullying, force, or intolerance, for that would betray the Christ in whom they seek to live. As Christ chose the way of gentleness, so when challenged Christians must act with gentleness: otherwise their words preach one thing, their actions another. This is a hard lesson: the recurrence of the notions of crusade and pro Deo et patria (God gets first billing, but usually takes second place) testify to this. And sadly these notions are far from dead, as various right-wing Christian groups demonstrate in their readiness’ to fight for gospel values’. Their very militancy compromises the Christ they wish to serve. 4. 1 Peter makes deep moral demands on us. As a Christian how fitted am I to give an account of my faith? Is my understanding of the Christian message a few’ do’s and don’ts’ and some scraps of information remembered from school? Do I appreciate there is a Christian manner of action? Am I conscious of how others are persecuted for their beliefs, or feel a sense of solidarity with Christians who suffer elsewhere? As a member of a body which was born in persecution and whose head suffered on the cross, am I sensitive to the pain of all who are oppressed, and seek to alleviate their persecution? Is a document such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights something that I consider should interest me as a Christian? Do I support those who support human rights? Painful questions, but can we be true to our origin if we shy away from them? ******************************************* John Litteton Journeying through the Year of Matthew www.Columba.ie Gospel Reflection We do not instinctively associate the concept of love with the demand to be faithful to a series of rules. People often speak about love as if it is in opposition to rules and regulations: ‘all you need is love’ and ‘love and do what you will’ are the type of sayings that are used in discussions as evidence that we do not need to worry about rules. Yet, in the farewell speech to his disciples, Jesus was uncompromising when he explained the necessary connection between loving him and keeping his commandments: ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments’ (Jn 14:15). In that speech, Jesus dealt with several other concerns. But he then returned to the link between love and the commandments: ‘Anyone who receives my commandments and keeps them will be one who loves me; and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him’ (Jn 14:21). The central commandment of Jesus’ teaching was to love God and love neighbour. That commandment summarised the basic moral behaviours and ritual practices that Jesus required from his disciples. Those behaviours and practices formed the charter of what it meant for them to live as his followers. Jesus’ moral teaching is best summarised in the Sermon on the Mount (see Mt 5-7) or the Sermon on the Plain (see Lk 6) where he expands the Ten Commandments, making them more demanding. For example, the commandment not to kill is developed to prohibit undue anger with another person, and the commandment not to commit adultery is developed to prohibit even lustful thinking. To claim that Jesus never taught non-violent resistance is to skip over a fairly large chunk of the New Testament and isn't intellectually honest ... To claim that Jesus never taught non-violent resistance is to skip over a fairly large chunk of the New Testament and isn’t intellectually honest … The ethical teaching of Jesus provides us with definite instructions for everyday living. It stresses the need for correct and respectful relationships with God and with one another. It teaches us that we cannot separate our relationship with God from our various relationships with other people. This means that we cannot have a straightforward vertical relationship with God without also having a horizontal relationship with God through our relationships with the people we meet in everyday life. The fundamental message of Jesus’ moral teaching is that we are obligated to love God and our neighbour. We cannot love one without the other. It is impossible to compartmentalise God and people such that they remain unconnected. Our dealings with others have implications for our friendship with God. This is how, in practice, we connect love and rules. If we love God, we will keep his commandments. If we love our neighbour, we will not treat him/her unjustly. Nowadays, many people dismiss moral imperatives as being irrelevant to modern life. They are often viewed negatively because they are judged to be imposing limitations on our freedom. However, that is not so. Fidelity to Jesus’ commandments enables us to live freely in the presence of God who cares for us. Contrary to popular opinion, the purpose of Jesus’ moral demands is to enable us to appreciate the freedom of living according to God’s will. It is not to make our lives miserable. Faithfulness to his commandments is the benchmark of our love for him and, in fact, for ourselves and our neighbour. The teaching of Jesus offers us clear instructions to enable us to be to be faithful to God’s will. It summarises what is required in order to live a wholesome life that reflects God’s truth and beauty. Its purpose is to rid our lives of selfishness and selfcentredness so that we can learn to put God and other people first, and ourselves last. When our consciences are formed by Jesus’ teaching, we know the difference between right and wrong. Living according to his teaching ensures genuine happiness in this life and eternal happiness in heaven. For meditation If you love me you will keep my commandments. (Jn14:15) ********************************************************* Fr Donal Neary, S.J Gospel Reflections for the Year of Matthew www.messenger.ie No body now but yours St Teresa’s prayer is popular in this adaptation- Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do well. Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, You are his eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours. Jesus speaks in the gospel about being still alive, even after his death. Mostly we find Jesus alive in the love of others. The energy of love that is connected to the energy of God, for God is love. Other times we find God close to us in prayer; but where we can sense him alive mostly is in the ordinary and extraordinary loves of every day, in marriage, family, friendship and care for others. Many of us do not realise that in this way we have been Christ-bearers. In listening to another, in care of all sorts, in putting ourselves out for the other, in working for justice and for peace the Spirit of God is alive and people are touched by God’s love through the co-operation of ordinary men and women. *******************************************************

[romancatholicreflections]

12th February >> Sunday Homilies & Reflections for Roman Catholics on the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary time, Year A Gospel reading: Matthew 5:17-37 vs.17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. vs.18 I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. vs.19 Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven. vs.20 For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. vs.21 You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. vs.22 But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court. vs.27 You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery. vs.28 But I say this to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. vs.33 Again, you have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. vs.34 But I say this to you: do not swear at all. vs.37 All you need to say is ‘Yes’ if you mean yes, ‘No’ if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” ************************************** We have four sets of homily notes to choose from. Please scroll down the page. Michel DeVerteuil : A Trinidadian Holy Ghost Priest, Specialist in Lectio Divina Thomas O’Loughlin: Professor of Historical Theology, University of Wales. Lampeter. John Littleton: Director of the Priory Institute Distant Learning, Tallaght Donal Neary SJ: Editor of The Sacred Heart Messenger ******************************************************* Michel de Verteuil Lectio Divina with the Sunday Gospels – Year A www.columba.ie General comments MountThis Sunday we have the third of the extracts from the Sermon on the Mount. I would advise that you stay with the full passage for this Sunday, even though a “shorter form” is allowed; we never know which section of a passage will touch us or the people with whom we are sharing. The passage lends itself to moralising reading: “Jesus is telling us to…”. We must therefore make a special effort to start from our experience, as always in lectio divina. We ask ourselves the question: when did I experience Jesus telling me these things? The reading then becomes a celebration of moments of grace, teaching through experience. As always, you can remain with one section of the passage, or try to discover – with the heart, not the head – a thread running through the entire passage. Like the whole Sermon on the Mount, this passage describes a conversion experience, “going deeper than the virtue of the scribes and Pharisees”. We need therefore to retrace our spiritual journey, from a “scribe and Pharisee” attitude to one that is “deep” – from a “single-issue” approach to one that is radical and holistic. The rest of the passage celebrates the kinds of implications we become aware of when we experience radical conversion. Our spiritual journey will affect our commitment to Jesus and the church, but also our other commitments – to our families, neighbourhoods, social or political movements we may be involved in. A recent statement by the late St Pope John Paul II is an example of the church’s conversion in its pro-life stance: “To choose life involves rejecting every form of violence, the violence of poverty and hunger, the violence of armed conflict, the violence of criminal trafficking in drugs and arms, the violence of mindless damage to the natural environment.” By giving a broad interpretation to the text, we experience it as wisdom teaching, as Jesus intended it to be. As always in Jesus’ teaching, the language is metaphorical, inviting us to enter it from experiences which we remember with emotion. The sequence of thought may seem haphazard to our Western way of reasoning, but it has its own inner logic. Textual comments The passage can be divided as follows: – Verse 20 is the centre peice of the passage; it explains the verses which precede and follow it. – Verses 17 to 19 are an emotional celebration of “the Law” (here, the term can be taken to mean any noble cause we feel committed to) and of those who uphold it. – Verses 21 to 26: a first series of implications, concerning those with whom we have quarrels. – Verses 27 to 32: a second series of implications, concerning marriage relationships. – Verses 33 to 37: a third series of implications, concerning the taking of oaths. Scriptural Prayer Lord, we thank you for those wonderful moment when something we believed in half-heartedly and from the surface of ourselves suddenly touches us deeply. We move from head to heart conviction, feel passionately committed, see the implications for every aspect of life. Sometimes it is a teaching of Jesus: – we must forgive seventy times seven times – our neighbours and ourselves are linked in a common destiny – the gentle will inherit the earth – only those who mourn will be comforted. At other times it is traditional wisdom: – the importance of family and friendship – love is more powerful than selfishness – we can trust the future. At other times we recognise the full implications of a cause we had given ourselves to: – democracy, feminism, ecology, human rights, non-violence. It is a conversion experience, sudden, unexpected. We are touched, as Jesus was when, in a burst of emotion, he celebrated the greatness of the Law of Moses, exclaiming that not one dot, not one little stroke, would disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Like him, we feel tremendous gratitude for the great people who kept the vision alive and taught it; we feel sad that anyone could think of infringing one of the least of these commandments and teach others to do so. How sad it is, Lord, to see a noble, idealistic enterprise fall into the hands of scribes and Pharisees who follow the letter of the law but go no deeper, so that the enterprise loses its savour, is no longer a city built on a hilltop, ushering in your kingdom. The sign of this happening is that people start being content with the minimum, playing it safe, avoiding evil rather than doing good, concerned mainly with being respectable and making a good impression. In Jesus’ day is was not killing, not committing adultery, not breaking oaths; but Moses’ law, like all authentic renewal movements, intended to do away with – anger and contempt in any form whatsoever, calling one another fool or renegade, – looking at other lustfully, seeing them as objects of conquest who will satisfy our ambition, or compensate for our insecurities, – acting because we feel bound by an external force, in heaven, on earth, in some holy city, even in ourselves, rather than from our inner conviction, our own yes or no. We remember when our virtue too went no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees. We thank you that we experienced a conversion, and our priorities are now quite different from what they were. We realise how much we used to be concerned with external rituals. helping othersNow, if brothers or sisters have something against us, we leave our offering on the altar, go and be reconciled with our brothers and sisters first, and then come back and present our offering. We feel a new urgency about living according to our beliefs, it becomes a matter of life or death. We are like litigants who come to terms with their opponents in good time when they are still on the way to the court, for fear that they will be handed over to the judge and be thrown into prison until they have paid the last penny. We thank you that we feel fulfilled and have no problems giving up things we had thought we could not do without: – being popular or surrounded by a group of friends, – making a lot of money, – having our name in the newspapers. We had thought it would be painful to give up these goals, almost like tearing out our right eye or cutting off our right hand. We thank you for the grace of seeing that they were causing us to betray our integrity, that we are better off without them than having them and living empty lives, like people having their bodies intact and being thrown into hell. Lord, we thank you for that person you sent into our lives, that Jesus who brought us to conversion. We pray that we in our turn may bring his meassage of conversion to those we live and work with – our church communities, the great renewal movements of our time, our families, neighbourhoods and schools. ************************************************** Thomas O’Loughlin Liturgical Resources for the Year of Matthew www.columba.ie Introduction to the Celebration The word ‘religion’ conjures up for most people, and indeed us Christians also, two great images. The first is that system of moral ‘do’s and don’ts’ — whether one thinks such rules are a good thing or not. The second is that there are various religious practises that have to be followed: like the rule that we have to go on Sundays. But the message of Jesus, brought out in the gospel, is that we must go beyond these appearances: our actions must be following but must be inspired love; our religious observances cannot be merely formal must open us to mystery of love that is greater that the univ yet which enters every detail of the creation. God's love Homily notes 1. We tend to think of the contents of today’s gospel as a series of little pieces: a rule on this, a rule on that, a bit of theology on some other point. Apart from the fact that this ‘chop-up into sentences’ approach to the gospels is not good exegesis but a variant type of fundamentalism, this approach misses the whole point of the sermon by Jesus. The central point is that the message of the gospel is greater than the sum of its parts. It is not a new rule about this, a change in the rules about something else, and so forth; rather, the message is that God’s love is greater than all, and we are called to respond that love in a complete loving way, not simply by a formalistic fulfilment of regulations. Love always must go beyond ‘box ticking’ or it is not love. 2. This has an effect on how we preach: if we turn the gospel into a series of new regulations, and preach them as such, our preaching is reversing the very point of today’s gospel. This is also the fundamental reason why the shorter form of today’s gospel supplied in the lectionary is so inappropriate. So how can we reflect on the message that love and faith are more than ‘box ticking’? 3. The first point is to state just that: love and faith are more than ‘box ticking.’ We can keep all the rules, but if our lives have not got that spark of love and laughter, then we are not fol­lowing the God of love but the’ great policeman in the sky’. golden rule4. That sparkle of love is what makes the difference between the saint and the intense rule-keeping boor. That sparkle is the ability to see beyond the rules, to glimpse a mystery that is greater than the universe, to glimpse the love of God beck­oning us. 5. But while attention to detail and discipline can train us in keeping the rules, we can only discover how to love through forgiving those who have hurt us irrespective of whether they ask for forgiveness or not, or are repentant or not. We can only discover how to love by helping those in need, whether they ‘deserve’ help or not. We can only discover how to love by standing with those who are oppressed ever if it is dangerous for us. We can only discover how to love by asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds with wisdom. 6. Love is the sparkle of the good news, the joy of being a disci­ple, but it is never the easy option. *********************************** John Litteton Journeying through the Year of Matthew www.Columba.ie Gospel Reflection Golden rule 2People frequently refer to the Sermon on the Mount as being the New Law, replacing the Old Law, and the impression given is that, with Jesus, the rules have been somewhat loosened. Now it can be said that it is love that counts and that the rules take second place. But the error of this opinion is quickly evident when we check the eight Beatitudes at the beginning of the Sermon. Far from making life easier, the Sermon is even more demanding than the Old Law. As God gradually revealed himself to the Chosen People, they began to understand that he loved them and wanted them to enjoy life in the land that he had given to them. In order for this to happen, they were to heed the warnings of the prophets and be faithful to God’s commandments. Therefore, they must not kill. They must not steal. They must be faithful to their spouses and they must not envy their neighbour. Contrary to what some people suggest nowadays, the Chosen People understood that God wanted them to keep his laws because he loved them, and not because he wanted to make them wretched and unhappy. We know this from God’s revelation of his loving nature in biblical texts such as the beautiful story of Hosea, whose love for his prostitute wife was analogous to the love that God had for his headstrong and sinful people. Through the prophets, God continually reminded them of his love, even as he pulled them back from the brink of destruction on many occasions. Indeed, in chapter 5 of the Book of Deuteronomy, we read that it was from God’s love that the Ten Commandments sprang. Before listing the commands, God reminded them: ‘I am YHWH your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery’ (Deut 5:6). During the Sermon on the Mount itself, Jesus told his listeners that he had not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved’ (Mt 5:17-18). To understand the implication of this key statement of Jesus, we might reflect that he sought not the end of the Law, not its destruction, but its perfection. Hence in the Sermon, Jesus taught that it is no longer sufficient not to kill one’s neighbour. In future, his disciples would be required to control their anger so that their thoughts were purified and perfected. One by one, this extension of the Ten Commandments to thoughts and motives as well as actions, is found throughout this unique Sermon. Jesus reinforced the idea of Christian perfection by linking it to the worship of God. If his followers desired to approach the altar and, while there, remembered friction with another person or people, they would be expected to leave their gifts at the altar and go to be reconciled first. The lesson for us is clear. This is how seriously God views our human relationships. We cannot hate our neighbour and purport to love God. That is not possible. A much overlooked exhortation in the Sermon concerns prevarication in speech: ‘All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one’ (Mt 5:37). The Sermon on the Mount, then, especially each of the Beatitudes, provides us with a rich mine of spiritual treasures that give us much food for meditation. For meditation For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:20) *************************************** Donal Neary SJ: Gospel Reflections for Sundays of Year A: Matthew www.messenger.ie The heart of religion This list of some of Jesus’ sayings give an indication of what is important to him. He states the religious tradition of the people when he says that he has not come to abolish the old religion, and that religion must go much deeper and be an affair of the heart. He asks for forgiveness and reconciliation when he speaks about leaving a gift at the altar to go for reconciliation. He com­mends marriage, and faithfulness in marriage, in his views on divorce. He believes in the respect for sexuality that is shown in not using a person. This collection of Jesus’ sayings form a background to how he lived his life himself. He lived out these sayings in many of the events of his life, which we hear about on other Sundays. The Sermon on the Mount, of which this is part, is the backdrop to much of Jesus’ life and mission, a sort of vision statement for his life and ministry. Much of this went against the religious practice of his people, which was centred mostly on externals. He saw the ritual and the law of religion as important only if it came from the heart. This is the challenge always to religion – to live heartily what it enthusiastically believes. Practices in ritual and in religious custom and laws may change with different cultures and times; what is important is the way we live our lives, following Jesus and knowing that all our efforts to live like him are praised and rewarded. Pope Francis says, ‘It is not enough to just respect the commandments and do nothing more. Christian life is not just an ethical life: it is an encounter with Jesus Christ’ (9 May 2016). Repeat a favourite gospel phrase as you breathe in; your outbreath is your thanks for this help in your life. Lord, your will be done each day in my life. discipleship sacrifice 3 9