Welcome, Friend

Dear reader,

Few have duly considered that first word with which we start correspondence. Dear; thou that art precious to me; thee that be of great value; dearly beloved. That the saviour didst give himself for thee that thou mightest live, He that is the efficient cause of our existence and our most blessed friend. By his dearness we might call each other dear, and this is the way I choose to address you, dear reader.

Whether you have stumbled upon this fallible oasis through sojourn in the modern desert of internet in which bytes of sand flow across skies of red green and blue, or you are one to whom it has been directly revealed, welcome. Know the love that Christ has for you. He is Love himself, and he said unto his disciples:

This, four chapters before "he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples." " Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands."

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full… The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

So, friend, let us commune together as our saviour desireth. You can find me here, blessed am I to receive you, and I pray that despite my failings I may be of use to you. Saint Pambo tells us that "If a brother comes to visit you, whether it be a fast day or not, eat with him, for love is greater than fasting." I am no ascetic, holy-man, make no claim to wisdom, but I do promise I will try and bear you near my heart, close to where I daily purpose myself to make a hospitable abode for The Light Of The World.

You were sent to heal the contrite of heart, Lord have mercy.
You came to call sinners, Christ have mercy.
You are seated at the right hand of the father, Lord have mercy.

"Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid."

When he saw Jesus, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth

"If you can believe, all things are possible for him who believes."
"Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"

"Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!"

Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he came as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.

You will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. I count myself not worthy to face you. I fall on my knees and beg, You tell me to stand. My merit could exceed that of the greatest Saint and still the gates of heaven will close to me, but this because it is not by me, but by You, Lord, that I may gain entry. Thou callest me friend, I have merely to see thee; to smile at thee; to look upon thee; and I will be healed. My greatest gain I count but loss, bending there needing only to recognise the sacrifice of the cross.