by Vincent | Feb 27, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
The count is on!
Keeping an eye and ear on the election results. Have heard of some losses and some gains – joys and pains.
I think it’s a tough game. It’s not easy to put yourself in front of your own people and seek their support. All the “promised” votes certainly don’t materialise and disappointment follows. At day’s end there is hurt and disappointment for the candidate and his or her family.
To be honest, there are some that I’ve not much grá for but I still think everyone deserves to be left with dignity. So gloating, in my opinion, should not be an option. People have spoken in the privacy of the polling booth and verbal put downs are an un-necessary road to travel now.
We hope that something positive comes from all of this and that a Government will be formed that respects the people who put it in office.
by Vincent | Feb 26, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
In HQ!!
Here for the Episcopal Ordination tomorrow of Monsignor Paul Tighe (a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin) who has worked in the Vatican for a number of years and recently moved to a new post in the Pontifical Council for Culture. I’m looking forward to the ceremony and thankful to have been asked to attend. Paul has connections with home. His mother is Johnson from Ballymote and there are cousins in Gurteen too. Happy as well about that link!
Spent a bit of time around Rome today and visited two “Holy Doors” – one at the Basilica of St John Lateran and the other at St Peter’s. The doors are wide open and welcoming but I have to say I’ve noticed a marked increase in security since I was last here. To get to the open doors, there are queues of people going through airport style security. It almost seems a contradiction that the open door is on the latch behind a layer of security. In its own way though, it’s a sign too that when evil is at work in the world, it quite literally stifles (but never quenches) the flow of good.
“Holy Door” – St John Lateran Basilica
“Holy Door” St Peter’s
I wandered around both Basilicas and their vastness never ceases to amaze but for some reason they don’t especially move me. I’ve seen people deep in prayer in both “churches” despite all the movement that’s going on around them. I think that’s one of the things I’m looking forward to at Paul’s Ordination is to see St Peter’s focused in prayer around an individual and his ministry. Chances are, it will take on a new and deeper significance for me.
I also climbed “on knees” as is the custom the “Holy Stairs“. A sore climb but one made by countless people. One step at a time, one prayer at a time. There’s an image at the top of the Crucified Christ with a woman and man at the foot of the Cross. I’m taking them to be Mary and St John. My confusion around that is that they both look quite old and drained. In a way, I’d like to think it is Mary, because I think we need to see her more like that from time to time. Sometimes the beautiful images of her belie a woman who knew at the deepest level of her heart what suffering meant. In this knowledge she is, for all of us, in tune with our own sadnesses and difficulties.
Scala Sancta “The Holy Stairs”
Finally, I spent time on trains and in the presence of people speaking a language that I do not understand. The occasional Italian word a native speaker does not make!! I wondered what people were talking about but, more than once, found myself drawn to broad smiles and deep laughter. It’s such a common language and we should be very grateful for it. It truly is the shortest distance between two people.
So where’s the thought in all this? I’m here to share in prayer and joy an important moment in the life of another. I wandered around today, saw buildings, tried to say a few prayers, almost got to Confessions but I met nobody I know. I’m looking forward to meeting people tomorrow, including some from the Irish College and a few Sligo people too. Rome will be at its best then, for it is truly people who make places. The Holy Doors are open and, please God, security needs will lessen as people come to recognise the common language of a smile and laugh. Also, the aged and worried Mary at the top of the Holy Stairs is an image that will remain.
Something old, something new!!
Oh, forgot to say I bought a cap!!
by Vincent | Feb 25, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
Not a lot to say today. “What’s new?”, I hear you say!!
Anyway, just wanted to include this day with the others. Earlier I was in the Cathedral in Ballaghaderreen, taking a few photos for a prayer brochure being worked on for the Day of Pilgrimage to The Holy Door on March 13th. When I went in there were children there with their teachers and one of the priests, practising for an Enrolment Service for Confirmation. They were singing a song called “This little light of mine” and the thrust of the song is around letting it shine.
Maybe that’s the thought for the day. This little light that is your gift and mine, perhaps we can do all in our power, with HIS POWER, to let it shine.
by Vincent | Feb 24, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
I recently came across this quote:
“Two things to remember in life; Be careful of your thoughts when you are alone and be careful of your words when you are with people”.
Like all such sayings, there’s a wisdom here. Sometimes the thoughts we have when alone can be very disconcerting. Often we can find ourselves writing a “novel” in our heads and creating all kinds of stories that amount to nothing. We try to second guess what someone said or didn’t, their reaction or lack thereof. Quite often we’ve totally misread the reality of the other person’s intent and, given the chance to discuss matters, find there’s no real issue at all.
Equally words can be dangerous. It’s about balance in life. My father used quote an old neighbour who liked to say: “It’s all right in talking but it’s no harm to say nothing!”
We need to talk and we need to think. We need to be with others and we need to be alone but always, we need balance.
by Vincent | Feb 23, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
Happy Birthday Bill – my father would have been 96 today. May he rest in peace!
In today’s Gospel, there’s mention of pomp and ceremony. To be more accurate about people who get caught up in pomp and ceremony.
Sadly, truth told, we priests can get caught up in this a bit more than necessary. I heard of a priest once speaking to a group of priests and he talked about titles. He mentioned a group of priest friends out playing golf together – “Great shot Mick”. “Ah well done Peter” etc and the next day writing to each other:
“The Very Rev Michael Canon ….. whatever, PP.VF …..”
He concluded his comments with “who are we trying to impress lads, the postman?!!
It’s wider than Church of course. We can get overly caught up in titles and what we perceive to be our rightful place – our entitlement.
Maybe the thought for today is around “keeping it simple”. Keeping it simple doesn’t mean making it any less important – just that we keep the focus where it needs to be.
Now where did I leave my broader phylactery???
(actually I just googled to see what is a phylactery … a leather pouch worn by Jewish people at Morning Prayer to remind them of the Law. In itself, of course a good thing, the Lord’s issue was about the phylacteries becoming the story in themselves.)
by Vincent | Feb 22, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
A rock with roll!
Today we celebrate the Feast of The Chair of St Peter. Setting aside the Lenten purple, white vestments are worn and the Gloria is prayed. A Feast Day of our church.
“Who do the crowds say I am?”, Jesus asked his travelling companions. A few answers and suggestions! Then Peter found the words – “You are the Christ”. He was through to the next round!!
The Christ calls Peter the “rock” and says that it is on this rock the church is to be built.
What a rock! There’s a word in the ether today that may or may not gain traction in coming days “whingers”. Peter could take his place in their midst. “What about us?” he asked. “You will never wash my feet”, he protested. “Even if all deny you I never will”, he assured “The Christ” and within hours was saying “I DO NOT know the man”.
He’s a rock with roll, you might say. Words might sometimes get confused and decisions might be flawed but what makes him worthy of the trust of Jesus is his sincerity and desire to be close to The Lord. He even had a go at walking to him across stormy waters. He wept too, as did Jesus, and that’s a good sign of a man – to be able to show emotion, recognise the error and try and try and try again.
It’s a Feast Day worth celebrating and a foundation stone to be proud of.
“A rolling stone”, as they say “gathers no moss”
