Category: columns2015

Before returning to T&T recently, I attended two major events in London. One was entitled Marginalised No More – A Celebration of Black Political Representation Past and Future and was held at Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Haringey on April 8. It was organised by the Bernie Grant Trust (http://berniegrantarchive.org.uk) to mark the 15th anniversary of his death.
In 1987 Guyana-born Bernie was among four black persons who were elected to the House of Commons, UK. All four were Labour MPs. The others were Dianne Abbott, Paul Boateng and Keith Vaz. I knew Bernie when I worked in Haringey as Deputy Director of Education/Head of Quality Assurance. He represented Tottenham.

Today’s Responsorial Psalm reminds us to give thanks to the Lord, “for he is good, his love is everlasting.” On Mercy Sunday, we have much for which to thank God.  Let us thank God for our lives and for His creation.

We thank God that we believe even though we have not ‘seen’ the risen Lord as Thomas and the other disciples did. As Jesus said in today’s Gospel (John 20:19-31): “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” And yet, we do ‘see’ Him in the Eucharist, in the face of every man, woman and child; and in his beautiful creation.

AT THE PROCESSION WITH PALMS

Gospel Mark 11:1-10

When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately on entering it, you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone should say to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ reply, ‘The Master has need of it and will send it back here at once.’” So they went off and found a colt tethered at a gate outside on the street, and they untied it.