大象传媒

From Father Brian D鈥橝rcy a Catholic Passionist priest:

It鈥檚 lovely to be here in the studio with you this morning Chris. I feel so lucky to be contributing to PFT for twenty five years. In January 1990 I began on this PFT slot on Radio Two when the late Derek Jameson was presenting. Down the years Brian Hayes, the wonderful Terry Wogan and now your good self, Chris, have welcomed me wholeheartedly.聽 Believe me I realise it is a rare privilege!

My goal has remained the same. To deliver a few words which might give hope and encouragement to busy people as they start a new day and a new week.

聽On that first broadcast I nervously reminded our listeners that their life was worth living and celebrating. In all the world, I said, there is only one you; there is only one person with your talents, gifts and experiences. It doesn鈥檛 matter what mistakes you鈥檝e made or the wrong you鈥檝e done, God cannot stop loving you. You are forgiven. So be grateful, accept the chance of a new beginning and celebrate your life.

Then as now it was me who needed to be convinced of my own goodness; What I do is pass on to you the advice I need to hear myself.聽 In other words I simply move out of the way to allow God to love you through the human love of good people, who treasure you anyway. I don鈥檛 wish to convince you that you should love God. It鈥檚 more important just to allow God to love you.

There was a famous spiritual writer, Meister Eckhart, who said it perfectly:聽 鈥測ou can call God love, you can call God goodness, but the best name for God is compassion.鈥�

I really do believe life is a celebration; that we will have to answer to God for the permissible pleasures we FAILED to enjoy.

And I always get a lump in my throat when I hear Victor Hugo鈥檚 line in Les Miserables: 鈥淭o love another person is to touch the face of God.鈥�