MANY of us celebrated yesterday, May 29 as Ascension Day, a day for many of us of wonder and mystery. So let's look at that word 'mystery'.

The progress and wonders of science and modern technology have destroyed much of our sense of mystery. We like to have everything made clear to us and explained fully. Maybe we feel guilty if we don't understand. But why should we feel guilty?

There are many things which we are not meant to understand. We need to hang on to a sense of mystery, to value it as something precious and profound. We can find it in unexpected places and in many disguises. It is a gift which may creep up on us unawares and may surprise, disturb or delight us. We can find it in the weak and the vulnerable, the harsh and even in the ugly. Most often though, we find it in all that is beautiful, small or great, that fills us with awe and wonder; so that we become aware of something divine.

"Every common bush afire with God, but only he who sees takes off his shoes; the rest sit around and pluck blackberries" (Elizabeth Barrett Browning).

THE REV. JEAN FARDON, assistant priest at Powick, Callow End, Guarlford and Madresfield.