John the Baptist meets his cousin and, for the first time truly knows the one about whom he has been preaching and, for whom, he has sought to "prepare the way". It's only when they meet, truly and in person, that the truth is fully revealed. How easy it can be for us (for me) to speak about Jesus, even want to prepare the way for him, and not have fully encountered him in personal contact. There has to be a message in here somewhere. For me? For you? Friendship with Jesus, like all true and meaningful friendships, must allow for meeting and spending time face to face, so that words can be exchanged and recognition made possible.
In reality all meaningful friendships are the same. Our true friends are those who are in our corner and, as the saying goes, "have our back". True friends are those who walk into our lives in moments of crises, times of need, grief or bereavement. True friends are those who walk towards us when others might choose to walk away. Friendship has to grow and develop - it's not instant and has little, if anything to do with, "clicking" a mouse, "liking a comment", "tagging a photo", or "following" on FaceBook, Twitter, Snap Chat, Instagram or any other platform of that kind. These may well be the tools of friendship and, without doubt, have a role to fulfill but they can never replace personal contact, face to face meetings and being with people when most needed. Like John the Baptist and his cousin, our Saviour Jesus Christ, true recognition and friendship is formed through personal contact.
These are the thoughts I tried to share at today's Mass. I received a humorous piece during the week that I included in the bulletin. I wanted to read it because I liked and enjoyed it but also because as often happens in humour, a real point is being made ...
THE PIECE!
I am trying to make friends outside of Facebook while applying the same principles.
Therefore, every day I walk down the street and tell passers-by what I’ve eaten, how I feel at the moment, what I have done the night before, what I will do later and with whom.
I give them pictures of my family, my dog and of me gardening, taking things apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front of landmarks, driving around town, having lunch and doing what anybody and everybody does every day.
I also listen to their conversations, give them the “thumbs up” and tell them I “like” them.
And it works just like Facebook! I already have four people following me: two gardai, a private investigator and a psychiatrist!!!!
I spoke at Mass in Kilmovee yesterday about Glen Campbell, his living with Azheimers and about his daughter’s song “Remembering”. It was in the context of the Gospel Passage about the “Rich man and Lazarus” and the need to be aware of one another, especially when people are at a low ebb.
Thought I’d share the video here. It’s a lovely song and a fine commitment to one who is ill. We need to notice and help one another.
Four years old running up the stairs to your bed
Thunder rolls and I pull the covers over my head
You say it’s just a storm, enjoy the show
You take me to the window, show me that it’s beautiful
Never had to ask you to sing for me, it’s just the way to put me at ease
Bone for bone we are the same
Bones get tired and they can’t carry all the weight
We can talk until you can’t even remember my name
Daddy don’t you worry, I’ll do the remembering
First guitar and I just wasn’t getting it right
You showed me how to play it, said it doesn’t happen overnight
In a couple years I come home and show you how I play “Blackbird”
Though I miss a couple notes you still say it was the best you ever heard
Never had to ask you to smile for me, it’s just the way you put me at ease
Bone for bone we are the same
Bones get tired and they can’t carry all the weight
We can talk until you can’t even remember my name
Daddy don’t you worry, I’ll do the remembering
Daddy don’t you worry, I’ll do the remembering
Now I have to ask you to sing for me
And I have to show you the worlds to see
You’re standing right in front of me and slipping away
Dad, I’d ask you to smile for me, it’s just the way you put me at ease
Bone for bone we are the same
Bones get tired and they can’t carry all the weight
We can talk until you can’t even remember my name
Daddy don’t you worry, I’ll do the remembering
Daddy don’t you worry, I’ll do the remembering
Well into the “holidays” now and enjoying the days very much. That said, I’ve been very connected with home too, as I remember Ger Regan, R.I.P., whose Funeral takes place today. I had Mass here around the same time and remembered Ger, his family and friends there.
Over the past few days I’ve had the chance to do what I really like doing when I come here, connecting with old friends (and meeting some new ones too!). Last Sunday evening I went to New York to meet Joe, Liz and Keenan who have been friends of mine for many years. With them were some people from Kiltimagh, two of whom I’d met before. We had a lovely time and it was good to catch up. The other visitors were going to see “WICKED” on Monday evening and asked if I’d like to join them as they had an extra ticket. Needless to say I said yes, though I knew nothing about the show.
It’s one I need to think about but there’s a very positive message running through the show. Leave it with me!! This seems to be the central song in the show – “Defying Gravity”. I think it’s a message about not being kept down but finding and reaching your potential.
The Cathedral here has gone through quite a face lift since my last visit. It is covered in scaffolding just now but the work on the interior has been completed. Very impressive.
On Wednesday evening I went back into NY and met an old friend from Maynooth days. We had a lovely meal, walked around for a while. He took me to a Roof Top bar where there’s an excellent (and free!!) view of NY and NJ. I just took one photo there.
I stayed in NY that night and the next day wandered around for a while. It was gloriously hot (though people were complaining about the heat – I was happy enough to be in it – great weather for the bog!!) I enjoy walking and noticing bits and pieces as I go. I spotted one of “New York’s Finest” doing his duty and couldn’t help but notice his Patrol Car. I can’t see Bruce Willis saving New York in one of these … only saying!!
Later in the day I met a good friend, Seán, whom I’ve missed out on meeting in recent years. We went for a bite of lunch and chatted away as if we’d met the day before. That’s always a good sign of friendship for me. From there I went to Crestwood and met the McEnerney family. I’ve met them every time I’ve visited here and had the privilege of baptizing their children. The older of the two is about to go to College this year and is so excited about that. Hard to believe how quickly the years pass. His younger sister will be making the same trip next year. My memories of her go a bit further back to a young girl playing the piano for me and suggesting I stop “filming” when a few stray notes wander into her performance!!
At Mass this morning, here in the Cathedral at Rockville Centre, I noticed two people at Mass that I get the chance to meet each year. – Mary and Caroline Hunt – they are among the most faithful visitors to these pages and I was happy to see them. Mary’s husband, Martin (RI.P.) was from Ballaghaderreen parish and that’t the link.
What I like to think is running through these days is “connection” with people. At day’s end, I see that as one of the greatest gifts we have and I am blessed to be able to avail of it.
Earlier I looked at Cardinal O’Malley’s Blog and notice he has included piece on his recent visit to Ireland, especially to Knock and Ballintubber Abbey. Was pleased to see, in his post, some photos I’d taken! More importantly I was pleased to see a link to a YouTube video of the Mass. I especially like the anointing of the Altar during the Mass.
Archbishop Neary spoke at the beginning of the Mass and he quoted Pope John Paull 11 who spoke at Knock in 1979. I liked the words but could not fully recall them. Take a few minutes to hear his words too. The piece I liked is around the 20 min mark and includes these words from Pope John Paul and he appeals to God to keep the Faith alive in the hearts of the people of Ireland;
“May prosperity never cause Irish men and women to forget God or abandon their faith. Keep them faithful in prosperity to the faith they would not surrender in poverty and persecution. Save them from greed, from envy, from seeking selfish or sectional interest. Help them to work together with a sense of Christian purpose and a common Christian goal, to build a just,, peaceful and loving society where the poor are never neglected and the rights of all, especially the weak, are respected.”
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