I Believe

I believe in an authority that stoops to wash a poor man's feet.
I believe in a banquet where sinners learn to love, eating in company with their God.
I believe in parents who teach their children the beauty that is life.
I believe in the words that God has left for man, words that can fashion hope from darkness and turn bitter loneliness into love.

And I believe in man, fashioned by God.
I believe in the beauty of his mind, the force of his emotions, the fire and loyalty of his love. I know his weakness, his cowardice, his treachery, his hate. But I believe in him and his thirst for acceptance and love.

Most of all I believe in God and the power of His victory in Christ.
I believe in a Resurrection that rescued man from death.
I believe in an Easter that opened man to hope.
I believe in a joy that no threat of man can take away.
I believe in a peace that I know in fleeting moments and seek with boldness born of God.
I believe in a life that lingers after this, a life that God has fashioned for His friends.

I believe in understanding, in forgiveness, in mercy, in faith.
I believe in man's love for woman, and hers for him, and in the fervour of this exchange I hear the voice of God.
I believe in friendship and its power to turn selfishness to love.
I believe in eternity and the hope that it affords.

Fr James Kavanagh
A Modern Priest Looks at his Outdated Church