The parable of the pots of jam
One of the very good things about holidays is that you see things with fresh eyes when you get back. This happened to me recently and what I saw upon my return was many pots of jam.
I was surprised at how many levels I operate on and all within the space of a few days. It would be easy to assume that I am now referring to the different centres in our parish. But it's not just that. It goes quite a bit deeper.
In the space of any given day, I can be an administrator, dishwasher, speaker, carer, priest, husband, father, listener, vacuum wielder and friend. The conversations are very bendy. Sometimes I know not where things have come from and where they are going. Was I really this busy before I left? And was it always this complex and whizzy? Well yes, but the cathartic therapy of the holiday had massaged this out of my memory.
So the parable of Pots of jam I found to be a helpful image. Each pot is different and unique. Each pot is constantly changing ever so slightly. Each pot is absolutely unique and priceless. Each pot is to be relished and enjoyed.
The trick I suspect is to be totally caught up in the ‘jar’ that you are enjoying and not thinking about the next jar that you know you will have to be sampling within the hour. This isn’t easy, but I will be the best jam sampler and digester if I treat each jar with the dignity and respect it demands. So breathe deeply Fr. David, open the jar, put a sensible-sized sample on your spoon and let the flavours play over your palette. Nothing less is needed. Nothing less will do.