Patience and Vigilance

Patience and Vigilance

“An enemy has done this”

(Gospel for 16th Sunday of the Year – Matthew 13:24-33)

It’s a strong line, no doubt, and one that might well make us feel uncomfortable.

You can sense the deep frustration and disappointment of the land-owner who knows he did his best to plant good seed in his land, There’s frustration also for the workers who toiled in the heat of day to prepare the soil and plant what they felt would yield a sound harvest.   Later, to their shock and horror, the discovered weeds among the wheat and realised their work had been contaminated.

There’s more going on here than a story of a farmer’s dilemma.  We are being told about life and the awful realisation that things we had taken for granted have been compromised.  People we worked with and for, children that parents gave everything for, have shown signs that the crop has been infested.  Decisions have been taken, words spoken and actions too, that clearly say, “This is not what we had hoped for”.

The reaction might be to rush in, pull out the weeds but the Lord says “No”!  In doing that, the good work might be damaged too.  Take your time with this.  Talk through it, allow the planted seeds of truth, honesty, faith, love, goodness and so much more to grow and then the less appealing aspects can be seen for what they are and weeded out. It calls for patience and a belief that the good work done was not done in vain.

The “enemy” needs to be named though and recognised.  The enemy is that which works against the ones with good intention and loving hearts.  The enemy is found in the one who seeks to lead us down a path best not travelled.  The enemy works beneath the surface, out of sight and often in the darkness to infest what is truly good and best in us.  We need to be aware that the enemy is not a myth but very real and very dangerous.

There’s something being said to us this weekend about patience and alertness—the need for both.

 

Field of Dreams, Altar of Hope

Field of Dreams, Altar of Hope

I was in Knock yesterday for the Re-dedication of the Basilica.  An occasion worthy of the place and the “unspoken” message of Mary who stood with people, as she always does, when needed.  Cardinal Seán O’Malley (Archbishop of Boston) was the Principal Celebrant and homilist at the Mass.

He spoke very well about Knock, its meaning for him personally and its place in the heart of the Church. During the ceremony he anointed the Altar and, I have to say, this was a highlight for me.  There was something very moving in seeing him first pour oil on the four corners of the Altar and then in its centre.  Then with sleeves rolled up (a man at work) he rubbed the oil into the surface of the Altar.  It was a moment of offering something to God that God might make full use of it, in and through us all.

At Mass today, I shared a few words around this and about a local football event that took place in the parish yesterday, an annual event marking the life of a child who died eight years ago at age five.  She is remembered each day of course by her family and those who knew her best and annually in this gathering known as the “Aoife Regan Shield”.  Today she was remembered in our Parish Mass.  I thought it appropriate that she be remembered so seamlessly in both settings within a day of each other.  I believe that’s what parish life should be about, bringing what happens on the field of play to the Altar, anointed well over 100 years ago, in our Parish Church that, like yesterday’s rising incense, our prayers may be carried to the Heavenly Presence.

There may Mary, the silent but present Mary of Knock, whisper to Him afresh; “They have no wine” ….


 

 

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