The image on the cover of a recently published book caught my attention, that of 'The Dancers' by Henri Matisse. It was a picture of that famous painting by Henri Matisse now in the Hermitage Collection. For a number of years a copy of The Dancers hung on my office wall. That vibrant image, strong in colour and vital in movement, mirrored two very fruitful ideas to inspire the challenge of Primary Education.

And the book in question? The latest collection of thoughts and reflections from Timothy Radcliffe OP- "Alive in God, a Christian imagination". Hence the title of this week's piece.

Addressed through the themes of Journey, Teaching and the Risen Life, Radcliffe explores the Christian imagination. It is through a broad and detailed landscape that he takes us, offering a vision that is both exciting and challenging.

We each read books in different ways. When presented with a new book I tend to spend half an hour sampling the contents page, tasting the text here and there, reading the back cover notes till, familiar with general direction, I can begin at the beginning.

When our imagination is stirred we take a risk, for we tap a rich reservoir that is both deep and complex. It is expressed through art, music, language and life style. Our imagination is nourished by the people we meet. Our own imagination is enlivened and encouraged as we reflect on the events that impinge on our lives and act accordingly.

I approached this book 'back-end first', caught by the title of the final chapter- 'The life of prayer, the poetry of hope'. A few weeks ago I wrote these brief lines reflecting on the poetry of prayer.

So I turned first to the final chapter and enjoyed reflecting on the poetry of hope. There is so much in our present world that is apparently without hope, moving us in a direction that suggests hopelessness. Day after day, we see images of demonstration, hear voices raised in disagreement as crowds sweep through city streets and packed debating chambers resonate with discordant voices.

Maybe we should reflect once in a while on Heaney's words to read poems as prayers. The pattern of prayer reflected in the liturgy of the hours comes to the point as Radcliffe writes...."at Vespers we let go by remembering. At Compline, at the end of the day, we enact a more radical letting go, by forgetting."

In the poetry of prayer we allow ourselves time and space to do just that, to stand back awhile and let go of each day in order that we may experience the peace of sleep. Above all, we must face the truth of who we are, of where we are and where we are going. That is the challenge of the Amazonian Synod, calling on us to make space for the Spirit in our lives, nurtured as it is in the space between words. The day by day prose that is our daily experience can so easily get in the way whereas the poetry of our prayer offers space to breathe and reflect. That was the place where Simeon had reached when he said- "At last all-powerful master, you give leave to your servant, to go in peace according to your promise".

Having read the final chapter, I have now turned to the substance of the narrative - there are some 400 pages of it. Sifting through the text there is a presentation of a wide canvas that is explored with sensitive understanding. Each of us explores our own imagination one step at a time, mirrored in Christ, challenged by the Gospel imagery that is still vibrant, that still speaks to us. The journey we have taken, the teaching we have received is enlivened by the poetry we have experienced.

John Lennon began his song 'Imagine' with words of despair - 'Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try' but concluded with hope. 'You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you will join us and the world will be as one.'

Now half way through Timothy Radcliffe's book, I look forward to the words that still await me. Exploring the Christian imagination is a huge task that we face together. Lennon's final line - I hope some day you will join us and the world will be at one - is an enterprise worth undertaking.