Monday, March 23, 2020

“Heart and Soul”

St. Helen’s parish is gifted with talented artists of all kinds, people who have a sacramental understanding of the world and the skill to illustrate their faith with art, to God’s glory.  One wall in the Nave interprets “Living Water”.  Contemporary stained glass windows depict water vistas from coast to coast.  As of Sunday, March 15, two new installations have been added. The first painted panel is of Patterson Creek in Ottawa.  It is entitled NEAWASIN, meaning ‘beautiful’.  The second painting is of Northport, Nova Scotia and shows the sun rising and the tide heading out.  It is entitled TANSI, meaning ‘hello’, like saying hello to a good friend or loved one.  The amazing artist is Brenda Reid.  

 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water’.” John 7:38

“Come to me” Jesus invites.  And in this verse from the Gospel of John, among others, He promises that our thirst will be quenched in relationship with Him.  This is so much more than physical hydration. This is a bathing in the Spirit, reminiscent of our Baptism, when we were anointed with the Spirit and brought into the family of the Church. But it is not just our needs which are to be met through a relationship with the Living God.  Those streams of living water are also the Holy Spirit “whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine…”   In these days of global health crisis, of self-isolation and quarantine, of anxiety and of caring for others without being face-to-face, we are given the strength to remain faithful to our calling.  Through our assurances, our prayers, our deep concern and love for one another, the Comforter will speak, with sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26