A Catholic Monthly Magazine

Sunday 20 May

Ascension of the Lord

Acts 1:1-11, Ps 47, Ephesians 1:17-23,
Matthew 28:16-20

Staring is mandatory

Simon Schama says, “Staring is mandatory” …

The force of the event shivers down from the summits of paradise to the very threshold of the underworld.”

How often do I pause to stare? Not a cursory glance. but a prolonged, meaningful, stare?

Like at a child sleeping, watching their regular breathing and peaceful countenance?

Or at a tui hanging upside down, drinking nectar from a red hot poker, flitting from floret to floret?

Or at clouds drifting across the sky, creating a treasury of images to delight the child within?

Staring is mandatory to absorb the wonder of God.


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