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Hedge Priest's avatar

Bless you Father, I'm glad you're back safe and sound with your family. We met and spoke briefly at the Oswestry Chrism Mass in Lichfield earlier this year. Prayers assured for your future plans and life in Japan.

Ian Edgar's avatar

It was very nice to meet you at Pusey last year. I’m sorry things didn’t work out here in England, but I pray God will bless you and your family in Japan.

Steven W's avatar

Two questions:

1) any favorite books on typology that you would recommend? Love how you're always connecting the dots between Old and New

2) I've never quite thought about the Church in the non-linear sense that you mention and I am really intrigued by that. I find it very beautiful. Can you help me though as I am still processing, are you contending that the Church was "breathed" if you will as the Spirit hovered over the waters? I love this thought, but am struggling to divorce it, if thats even the right word, from the Incarnation (I'm getting linear) as there was a "time"? when Christ did not have a body. Any help?

Fr Thomas Plant SSC's avatar

Happily! 1, St Irenaeus, Against the Heretics. Essential reading! He is the spiritual grandson of St John the Evangelist via St Polycarp of Smyrna, so close to the source. His way of reading Scripture should be pondered very seriously.

2 I’m with Fr John Behr on this. Creation begins from the Cross! The breathing of the Spirit over the waters is each of those exhalations of Our Lord chronicled by St John. There is no time when the image of God was not human, and that human is Jesus. Hence Adam is a type of Christ, not Christ a type of Adam. Christ is the prototype. It is the move from Scripture as a round of liturgical texts to a book with front and back covers that lures us from typology to chronology.

Fr Thomas Plant SSC's avatar

Further, those great words “in the beginning” of Moses and St John do not indicate a temporal start. It might be more accurate to translate, “at source.”

Steven W's avatar

This is great. Thank you so much. So much to ponder. Many blessings Father

Akira's avatar

Very keen to know more about your plans in Japan. I hope everything will work out fine according to His will.

Fr Thomas Plant SSC's avatar

I'm setting up a mission in Hannõ. Can I tempt you out here?

Akira's avatar

Would very much like to visit you and join in your missionary work when I am back in Japan early next year.

Robert C Culwell's avatar

Grace and peace to you Father,

This all sounds very beautiful and positive.

Glory to God for all things.....

Fr Thomas Plant SSC's avatar

Thank you and God bless, as ever.

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May 29
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