What You Wish For

When we say Happy Easter, what is it that we are wishing upon the person we greet? Do we hope that they find happiness in their Easter Sunday lunch, Easter eggs, chocolate, time with loved ones perhaps, or something more?

I must admit that hadn’t given it much thought until challenged by a homily this Easter. Most people would wish happiness on those we know and love, but what about the happiness of Easter? Pope Francis describes it so much better than I could,

“The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness, and loneliness.

With Christ joy is constantly born anew.”

Wishing someone Happy Easter, therefore, is loaded with a three-dimensional promise of joy. We hope that they will have a liberating encounter with the risen Christ. We hope they will choose to accept this gift. And we hope that no matter the darkness, pain, or isolation experienced that the light of Christ will reveal a deeper joy through the power of the Holy Spirit. For those of us who know the joy that Christ brings, extending this Easter greeting gives us the opportunity to vocalise the hope resting in our hearts for those who have a home there.

Thankfully, this promise is not limited to Easter. Now, as we move through Eastertide towards the Ascension and then Pentecost, we can journey with the disciples in making this wish for others a daily practice in our lives. Little did the disciples know, when asking Jesus how to pray 2 , that he would give them such a powerhouse in the Our Father. Over the last seven years a wave of prayer for evangelisation has been inspired by three simple words in that powerhouse; ‘Thy Kingdom Come’.

My drop in the ocean, is to help Catholics engage with this time of prayer for Evangelisation. I’m a Catholic Evangelist and part of Sion Catholic Community for Evangelism.

Much of my time is spent in the activity of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, but it would be futile unless accompanied by praying for those I hope to reach. This is why Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) has become such an important part of my year and it is my hope that it will inspire you too.

We cannot fail to see how difficult life is for so many people, for all sorts of reasons, from the cost-of-living crisis to violence on our streets, from illness to isolation and so much more. These huge issues can be overwhelming. Yet it is amid this turmoil that we are invited to call on the Holy Spirit for five people we know to come closer to Christ.

Catholics have a long tradition of praying for one another, of standing in the gap for people we care about (intercession), and I would love to build on these traditions whilst being open to the movement of the Holy Spirit today. If you are a Catholic or you are ministering in a Catholic context, I’d like to invite you on a little journey of preparation for Thy Kingdom Come. Whether you would like to dip you toe in the water or dive right in, you are welcome to come along, find out what is on offer, and get involved. Between now and the Ascension, we will have several online Ideas Factory and Surgery Sessions.

Ideas Factory sessions are for people who want to help others engage with Thy Kingdom Come for the first time, or who wants to try something new. It will be interactive and give participants the opportunity to create together.

Surgery sessions are for those who are already on the journey and is a time of prayer, sharing and support. The content of the session is determined by the people present and the support comes through prayer and one another.

The Reflection Day: King of my Heart This is our only in person event in preparation for Thy Kingdom Come. It will be an opportunity to take some time to encounter Christ in a deeper way as we reflect on the King of our Hearts.

Thy Kingdom Come 18th-28th May

“Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.” Psalm 24:7

Whether those gates and doors are to people’s hearts, Churches or virtual connects that help people to come together in prayer for evangelisation, we would love to hear and share what you are doing to pray for people to encounter Christ.