So much love!

My friend Anita and I went to Tiger's funeral this morning. A Romany funeral is rather a wonderful occasion, because everyone who is in any way related will be sure to come, as well as friends, so of course, the church (the big Parish Church) was packed out. But nobody goes in until the coffin arrives. Today the market place and the church lane were lined with grieving Romany people, so recognisable in their solemn black, with gold jewellery glinting brightly in the spring sunshine. I was overcome anew by love for these neglected people, and prayed that the Lord would use today to reach their hearts, since the Church has historically made so little effort to share the Gospel with them.

After the funeral service, everyone follows the hearse on foot to the cemetery, which is often, as today, lined with still more people. The grief of the family was so intense as to be almost tangible, and Anita prayed for God to send his peace and his angels to comfort them, Lord, I pray that your peace will rest on that grieving family tonight, and your angels surround them.

My prayer was for all these people to be protected from the evil one, and to come to know and follow Jesus. I pray now especially for the brother-in-law, who is responding to a call to ministry, to be able to support them, and give them hope in God's promises.

We saw some of those promises fulfilled as we attended the Annual Meeting at St Mary's tonight. God has honoured their tithing by keeping their income at a level where everything necessary is paid for, including, most unusually, the whole of the parish "share". He has also confirmed his call to serve the young people of the benefice by providing a miraculous number of new volunteers to help in the work of the "God Squad" for teenagers. Thank you, Lord!

As I stood in the market place this morning and felt that love surge through me, I knew it was so enormous, so unconditional, so full of warmth and compassion, it was a foretaste of God's love, not only for the Romany people, but for all of us. It is so miraculous, so amazing, so divine, that I am just filled with awe and thankfulness. Thank you, Father.