Have you read that wonderful book Alice in Wonderland (1998 is the centenary of the author's death)? The animals were miserably wet after a flooding. How to get dry? The Dodo suggested a caucus race! Alice asked: "What is a caucus race?" "The best way to explain it is to do it," came the reply. Everybody was to be a winner. All would have prizes if really involved.
This reminded Cardinal Hume of God's plan for us. We are all in the race (once run!) of life. And if we respond to His gift we all win the prize of eternal life. Our deepest need is prayer. Here again, the best way to explain it .. . is to do it. We start by asking: "Lord, teach us how to pray! Lord that I may see! Lord help my unbelief!" God speaks in conscience, in holy inspirations, in Scripture word, in the beauty of His world and in the radiance of good example all around us. For life's race we need the oxygen of prayer.
The cardinal was a guest in an old-world country house. The children asked him to join in a game of hide-and-seek. He had not yet made his daily mental prayer. Why not use the silent moments of hiding? Christ meets us among the pots and pans. So why not here?
When, as a boy he took an apple from the larder, an adult told him: "God was watching you". Years passed before he realised that God is indeed watching us - but in love. He cannot take His eyes off us. Knowing this is a transforming experience and rescues us from a religion based on fear. When we realise that God loves us so greatly we will not choose words or deeds that offend His plan for truth, beauty and fullness of life. The glory of God is the person fully alive. And so (with Kate and Barney) the game began. As we play hide-and-seek we must be still. Spaces of silence can be golden moments of awareness . . . each one a personal epiphany.
The grandfather clock was suitable. It recalled the Friar in Romeo and Juliet. Each timepiece told him he was some hours nearer to his grave. There is a special grace in the "here and now", a sacrament of each present moment. If today we hear God's voice we pray in faith: "Speak Lord, your servant is listening." The telephone booth reminded him of deaf Aunt Betty. Prayer may at times seem like trying to ring her. So often it may seem in vain. But she is always pleased and loves to be remembered. Sometimes we are tempted to ask, "Is anyone there?" Our faith answers us that all prayer leads to further grace. No prayer is ever lost. We have Christ's word: "Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find."
When he reached the dark kitchen stairway he realised that young Kate had also hidden further down. Each was aware of the other's presence. Here was a parable of our prayer. We do not see. We do not hear. We say in faith: "Oh my God, I know that I am in your Holy Presence. You see the deep places of my heart. Speak to my soul, O Lord, and grant that I may hear Your voice and attend to Your healing inspirations."
The heavy window curtain was a good spot. But alas, mist had come down and one saw little of the green fields and daffodils. One had to be patient and wait. We are often lost in a fog (of our own making, perhaps). The Good Shepherd comes forever seeking in endless mercy and unfailing love. Our hope endures.
A washing machine gave a corner of seclusion and revived memories of much-loved Psalm 50, our cry for pardon and for peace: "Wash me yet more from my guilt! Cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a clean heart, O God . . ."All games come to an end. So too does life. As the sun goes down we pray: "May the Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end . . ." The thought of death can sadden and cause fear. We cast aside our dread. We may have sought to hide from God. He is ever seeking us. He loves us still. We recall Pascal: ". . . You would not be seeking Me if you had not already found Me . . ." Let us not forget the Dodo as we walk our grace-filled path in a New Year's Wonderland: "The best way to explain it is to do it." Lord, teach us how to pray!
May he support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done.
Then in His mercy may be give us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last . . .
- Cardinal Newman
See the full story, book and video, Basil in Blunder Land, by Cardinal Basil Hume OSB.
F.MacN.