It’s so easy to say “yes” especially if the yes is less than certain. The father of this weekend’s Gospel asks his sons to go and work in the vineyard. The first says “yes” but does not go and the second says “no” but later, through a bit of reflection, changes his mind and goes to do the work. Jesus asks which of the two did the will of the father – the answer of, course, the one who found his yes and went where he was needed.
Yes to the Father’s Will is a very important and much needed response. More than the opposite of “no”, it’s a choice for a way of life that makes the best of who we are. That YES takes us beyond where our own sense of self-preservation might otherwise take us. It brings us into contact with others, with prayer, with discovery, with community – it brings us a place called “Church”, not just the building with the spire, but the people who look to that place of worship for support, guidance and peace.
There are many opportunities for this “yes” to be found. Will you sing a song in the choir? Would you read at Mass? Will you be an Altar Server? Have you an hour to spend in adoration of The Blessed Sacrament? Will you say a prayer for me? Would you consider the possibility that God is calling you to priesthood or religious life?
You’re needed in the Vineyard. We all are. He’s asking us and He’ll continue to ask. It seems to be His way – patiently He waits and daily He asks ….
Hopefully we’ll find our “yes”, even if we’ve said “no” in the past.
I sat at Mass in Kilmovee this morning and listened to Seán Moran read the First Reading from Isaiah. The opening line is so direct: “Seek the Lord while he may still be found” …
I had a few words loosely prepared and they floated around somewhere in my head. Seán’s line seemed to displace them – as if they weren’t already displaced enough! I read the Gospel Passage about the workers going into the vineyard at different hours of the day, even to the final hour and each receiving the same wage. The grumblings of the early morning worker are quickly voiced but the “Landowner” reassures he has done nothing wrong or underhand. If he chooses generosity that should not be the cause of any grief. A story of jealousy, envy but above all of the Love of God for all who turn towards his Vineyard with an open heart and working hands …. A lot there!
Everything in me wanted to forget about that passage and chance a one line homily! I even told the people that. I said I often wished I had the courage to just say one line and sit down. I told them too that I realised many present would support me in that and hope “today’s the day”!! Well it sort of was and it wasn’t. I told them if I had that courage, I’d just say:
SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE IS STILL TO BE FOUND ….. and sit down
I sort of did that but not quite. A few words around it but really there’s plenty in that line so for anyone (myself included) sitting in front of these words right now, maybe it’s time to “Seek the Lord while he is still to be found”. Don’t let distance of time or place obscure the search.
_________________________
From cbc.ca website
At the end of Mass I mentioned that today is Leonard Cohen’s 80th Birthday. He is someone I’d love to meet, though I am certain that will not happen. There’s something about his words, his grace and style that combines to say so much. I mentioned the chorus from his famous “Anthem” and offered it as a Post Communion Reflection.
“So ring the bell that still can ringforget your perfect offeringthere’s a crack, a crack in everythingthat’s how the light gets in”
Let’s recognise that crack today, be it a hairline fracture or gaping hole and allow it bring light to darkness, hope to despair, faith to doubt …..
Happy Birthday Leonard
ANTHEM
The birds they sang At the break of day Start again I heard them say Don’t dwell on what Has passed away Or what is yet to be. Ah the wars they will Be fought again The holy dove She will be caught again Bought and sold And bought again The dove is never free.
Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in.
We asked for signs The signs were sent The birth betrayed The marriage spent Yeah the widowhood Of every government Signs for all to see.
I can’t run no more With that lawless crowd While the killers in high places Say their prayers out loud. But they’ve summoned, they’ve summoned up A thundercloud And they’re going to hear from me.
Ring the bells that still can ring
You can add up the parts But you won’t have the sum You can strike up the march, There is no drum Every heart, every heart To love will come But like a refugee.
Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in.
Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in. That’s how the light gets in. That’s how the light gets in.
Thirty-three years ago today I went to Maynooth (September 13th, 1981). It seems so long ago now and so much has changed. I remember leaving home with my parents. Before leaving I called over to see Fr John Finn who had been ordained a few months earlier. He was from Gurteen and going to minister in New Orleans. He remains a friend, albeit at geographical remove now. My uncle Joe called to see me. He gave me a dressing gown (not a dressing down!!) that I still have. I don’t wear it – never really got into that habit – but I know where it came from. I was excited to be going but nervous too. It was my first time away from home in that sense of knowing that I’d be in another corner and hopefully for a while. I had the accompanying support that day of my parents who drove me and of my brothers who came along as well. That support has been consistent.
I met lovely people in Maynooth – seventy four others, like myself, who were starting out on this road and, like me, uncertain of its destination. Some left along the way and others joined us. Some have remained good friends and others, for some reason, faded a little into the unknown of distance and location and seldom cross my path any more. All of them, in one way or another, shaped my journey and have a place in my heart and prayers.
I spoke once of these and others like them becoming sort of “landmarks” for me. When a place in Ireland is mentioned – maybe Kinnity – I remember Michael who wasn’t ordained but spent a few years with us. Mostrim brings Joe centre stage. Ballycastle in Antrim brings Rory to mind, the Falls Road, Michael, Drimnagh brings Donal into the thoughts of the day, Athlone – Ray and so it goes. Ireland is dotted with places meaning people for, as I’ve often said, people make places. Some girls too became part of that landscape – Sinead from Carrick, Anne from Puckane, Carmel from Cooraclare and more. The network broadened, friendships were made and thankfully continue.
Through the gates in March 1986 (Easter Monday) arrived parents and family, some friends and neighbours for my ordination as a Deacon and over a year later the gates were in the rear-view mirror as I headed West to prepare for Ordination in Gurteen.
September 1981-June 1987 remain among the happiest years of my life. I enjoyed Maynooth very much and thank God that I had the chance to be there. The chance, especially, to be there when there were so many journeying the road to priesthood. How much change there has been with so few in Maynooth now – scarcely the makings of my September 1981 class now make up the full student body of seminarians. This is such a change – when you think that at that time there were seminaries in Carlow, Kilkenny, Thurles, Waterford, Wexford, Clonliffe College in Dublin, All Hallows – not to mention all the religious orders and now all gone with the exception of Maynooth (and of course the Irish College, Rome). Such change!
Earlier today I had the joy of celebrating the wedding mass of a young couple in Kilmovee. Later I baptized a little girl in Brusna and shared the evening at a wedding reception in Co. Roscommon. So much joy has come into my life due to that date, September 13th 1981 and today I think I just want to say thanks for that. Thanks to all who have walked into my life since that day: people I’ve met in parishes and through ministry. Overall it has been a good life, not without its puzzling moments but I’d like to think were I back there again, outside the house in Moygara in 1981, I’d be happy to sit in with Mary and Bill and head towards the Plains of Kildare 🙂
The old saying goes: “do as the Romans do”! I’m not so sure I’m doing that but I am in Rome. I came here for the wedding of some friends – a girl I know since her childhood days in Collooney and the man she is marrying – Nicola and James. Tomorrow we will have that celebration. Last night I met them with some of their family members and we went for pizza so that’s fairly Roman I think. It was very enjoyable. We laughed as much as we ate and that can’t be bad.
Spent a bit of time watching Street Entertainers on Piazza Navona. These people always amaze me. Such a variety of talents on display and so many there to take in the various shows. It’s a good experience. One of the men I watched was spray painting a “masterpiece” and I decided to capture the moment! Thought about capturing the picture too but didn’t go that far. Wondered how easily it could be transported to Kilmovee:)
FRIDAY
I slept in for a while today (best blinds ever so the room was dark until I chose to let the light in – sorry Leonard, no cracks that I noticed!!). I had in mind to visit the Irish College today. I’ve been there a number of times but not in recent years. I know some of the priests on staff but none of the students. In any case I got on the Metro and a few stops later was beside St John Lateran Basilica – regarded as the major church in Rome, even ahead of St Peter’s. It’s a very impressive building. A few years ago I celebrated a Wedding Mass in the little Baptistry beside the Basilica and was happy to see that again too. A little prayer there for Anne and Derek and some good memories of a very enjoyable few days spent with both of them and their families.
Basilica of St John Lateran
Interior View
Though I didn’t think to take photos of them, one of the things I love about this Basilica is that around the walls of it are twelve life size statues of the Twelve Apostles. It is as if they are still keeping a watchful eye on the Church. A consoling thought for sure.
(Sunday 7th September: Update! I went back there today and was able to attend Evening Mass. It was powerful to see this Basilica in its role as a place for the Faithful to gather in prayer. I noticed Confessions were also taking place but not in English so I had to give that one a miss! Could have been my chance to go to someone who didn’t understand me:) I stayed on for Mass and was happy to do so. The priest sounded very like Pope Francis in his tone and delivery. After Mass I took photos of the twelve. Only then did I notice that Judas’ place is taken by Paul – the Apostle called from the Road to Damascus.)
(FRIDAY CONTINUED!!)
From there I went to the Irish College – one of our National Seminaries – and spent a bit of time there. I was disappointed that the staff member I know best was not there as I’d like to have had the chance to meet him when I was local. I went to the College Chapel and said Morning Prayer there (okay, I told you I got up late – darkened room and all!!) I remembered family and friends there. A special remembrance too for that poor family in Cork as they struggle to come to terms with such a terrible loss. God help them one and all.
The College Chapel was re-designed in recent years. It is a very engaging Prayer Space and its imagery and mosaics speak loudly and proudly of Ireland. This is hugely appropriate since it is literally a piece of Ireland in the heart of the Church’s landscape.
Sanctuary of Irish College Chapel, Rome
Interior of Chapel, Irish College Rome
I left the Irish College, glad to have paid a visit and decided to get some lunch in a nearby restaurant. On my way I saw something very Roman – very Italian that brought me back many years to Mullaghroe and a woman called Clare Horan (R.I.P.) whose widowed husband Gerry was ordained a priest the same year as myself (God rest them both) – anyway, I digress – what did I see? What Roman landmark reminded me of Clare and Gerry? The Colosseum? Spanish Steps? Trevvi Fountain?
Not at all …. it was this
The Fiat 500!!
Later in the evening I went to St Peter’s where I spent a bit of time. The Basilica was closed and very few people around. Had a lovely chat with a priest I know and met a couple on the Square with Donegal and Kildare connections. They were good people and we talked for a while. Struck me how much this place means to people.
Glad to be here too
St Peter’s at a quieter time
SATURDAY: THE WEDDING
We had the ceremony a little earlier today (Saturday 6th) in St Isodore’s Church. A very old and beautiful church it is looked after by Franciscans of the Irish Province. Fr Michael made us all very welcome and could not have been more helpful.
After the Wedding Mass with Anita, Nicola, James and (Tall) Paul
The reception was a lively affair. An excellent band P-51 Airplanes gave its all! Excellent musicians. (I recorded one song that I’ll put on YouTube at some stage) There was a mighty atmosphere and everyone totally enjoyed the night, the music, the food and the craic. Not least myself! Met some fine people along the way and that’s always a bonus.
Two musicians provided some background music as we awaited the evening meal. They played a variety of tunes and then one of them asked me where we were from and I said “Ireland” which brought the following selection!
VIDEOS PROMISED!!
Nicola surprised us all with a lovely song “Savc the last dance for me”. Unfortunately the lighthing was low at the time and the camera (phone) and cameraman (me) were not able to make up the gaps!! Anyway, I think it captures a nice moment worth remebering.
Here’s a song from P51-Airplanes. Just decided to take a shot and the man on the keyboard spotted me and rose to the occasion! Though not the nicest or most enjoyable of the songs performed it shows something of their talent and commitment to their passion!
SUNDAY
On Sunday I went to Mass in St Isodore’s and joined two of the Franciscans there for Sunday Mass. Afterwards we had a cup of tea and a chat together with those who attended the Sunday Mass there. Felt very welcome and I’m sure this church means a great deal to those who see it as “their own” as a place for prayer and worship. From there I went to St Peter’s for the Sunday Angelus and address by Pope Francis. Sadly my language limitations did not allow me to fully grasp what he was saying but the mention of “Ukraine” assured me he was calling us to pray for peace in a very troubled world. In a later translation I notice he told us to be careful even of our words as they have the potential to kill. The Square was thronged with people of all nationalities and ages. A great experience of the Universal Church and a reminder, as if needed, how much Pope Francis means to people.
As mentioned above I went back to St John Lateran Basilica today. I wanted to go there again. Mass was on so I was pleased to attend that and to have the chance to take the pictures of the Apostles’ Statues that are central to the Basilica.
Tonight I met the wedding people again. We had a very pleasant evening and I am back again in the hotel, getting ready for bed and the journey home tomorrow. It has been a very good few days and I’m glad to have been part of it.
and then a slight hesitation – “…. a Catholic Priest?” I wasn’t in New York, London or any other foreign city. I was in Ballaghaderreen. I had just knocked at a door and there was no reply. As I turned to leave a young man approached me. “Are you a priest? A Catholic Priest?” I was wearing a grey clerical shirt and had the top button open but the collar was there. Perhaps that was his doubt. “I am”, I replied. I did not know what to expect but thought it might be a touch for a few euro. I was so wrong. “Would you consider learning how to celebrate Mass in Latin?” “No”, I replied. “Why not?” “Because I don’t see the need. I am 51 years old, I have never had the experience of Mass in Latin and don’t feel the need for it.” “That’s a pity”, he told me. I then pointed out that he seemed to be much younger than me (though he did not tell me his age) and how much less must he have had a lived experience of the Latin Mass. He told me he goes once a week and that many more young people are going too. It is the way.
He spoke of the priests where he attends Mass and that they are real priests. I asked if he thought I were a real priest and he said he didn’t know. He asked me would I condemn homosexuality? Would I preach on contraception? Did I believe a homosexual should be a priest?” I said I would be slow to condemn anybody. That the church teaches homosexuality in itself is not a wrong but that the acts accompanying it give rise to serious question. In that regard I told him I felt a man who thought he was homosexual could be a priest provided he abide by celibacy and not pursue sexual relationships. He told me he could not believe what he was hearing. He suggested I take off the collar and told me I was part of the liberal brigade. That I was about political correctness and was not preaching the gospel. He asked why I thought priests did not preach about these issues and I said maybe we had done so for too long and too often. He disagreed. I told him I believe in the Moral Life and try always to encourage we live our lives by it. I said of course there are wrongs in the world and that we must try to steer our course in accordance with the Gospel. I said, however, that maybe there were other issues that needed to be spoken of and that they deserved to be heard as well.
I asked what he thought about Pope Francis and he said we’d have to wait to see and then added “if he is the pope”. I asked did he question the conclave that elected Pope Francis and he spoke to me of the “liberal agenda” and wondered how a Pope could say “Who am I to condemn homosexuals?” I said I believed the Pope was right. Who is any of us to condemn another? He spoke about the “New Mass” and I tried to say it’s the only Mass I know – that I’ve grown up with it and that it means a lot to me. I said people like my mother, good people, went to Mass and prayed the Rosary, only looking up when the bells rang for the Consecration. I wondered how that engaged them? I talked about the priest having his back turned to the people and wondered what that had to say about respect for the other – for the people behind you. I told him that as far as I knew when Pope Benedict re-introduced provision for celebration of the Latin Mass he suggested that only priests who understood its meaning should avail. I tried to explain that I didn’t understand it and wondered at times how priests much, much younger than I can claim to have a deep and personal understanding of the words they speak and through which they seek to lead people in prayer. He said the English translation is in the missal.
Again he spoke of these priests being “good priests” and I asked if he thought I was a good priest. He said based on what he had heard, he’d have to say no. I told him I felt there was potential for division in all of this and that’s one of the reasons I didn’t fully go along with the notion of groups going off the celebrate in this way. I told him the church had difficult enough of a task in hand to keep its people going in one direction rather than encouraging all sorts of groups with a variety of agendas. He did not agree. He told me that the majority of young men becoming priests now celebrate Mass in Latin and that only one man went for the priesthood in Ireland this year. I said there was actually fourteen (didn’t think to add that would not include people who may have joined Religious Orders) but this did not impact much! He said that’s only a small number and I agreed, telling him there were seventy-five in my first year class in the Seminary but pointing out his singular figure was inaccurate and that I wondered why he felt he had to approach me at all. “Are you encouraged to do this?” I asked. “Have you been told you should approach priests and say these things to them?” “No”, he said “but I try to convert people whenever I can”. “Why?” I asked “why do you think I need to be converted?” He went on to tell me that we didn’t care whether people came to church or not and that we saw one church being the same as another. It mattered not to us where people went to church. I said I disagreed and that in my parish, I always think of people not going to church and try in one way or another to have contact with them and encourage them. Again, in this regard, I acknowledged my shortcomings but said it was important to me that people came to their church and worshiped there.
He said we are not preaching to people about the key issues – again he repeated them, homosexuality, divorce, contraception and when I said I felt Jesus was not about condemnation he looked at me in disbelief. “Let him without sin” … I told him but he was having none of it. So I said to him that it seems from what he was saying that any priest who celebrates Mass in Latin, wears the soutane (cassock) is a good priest. I asked if he felt any of them might not be good priests? Was it possible any of them might be getting it wrong. He was emphatic in his response “No”. He clarified by telling me that these priests are not caught up in bureaucracy of leadership that has been infiltrated by gays and free masons.
We are losing the battle he assured me. More and more young people have turned to the true church of Pre-Vatican 11 and they will rebuild the church. I tried to say I went to the seminary when I was eighteen and have given practically all my adult life and hope I will do so to the day I die, to the Church and my belief in the Gospel. I told him I’ve had my struggles but believe in what I am about but he did not seem to accept any of that.
Now I wonder if I said “yes” when he asked me would I consider learning how to say the Latin Mass would I be a good priest or, at the very least, in time become a good priest?
We parted, I fear, as we met – still strangers and unsure what the other wanted …. but we did talk and that can’t be a bad thing.
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