Mercy and unlocked doors

Mercy and unlocked doors

There have been many references to Pope Francis’ repeated call to bishops – indeed to all involved in ministry – to “know the smell of the sheep”.  It’s a challenging but necessary call to get to know people and not just from a distance.  It involves being with them in the ups and downs of life.

Patrick Kavanagh in a poem called “Father Mat”, describes the local priest as he was encountered by his flock “He was part of the place/Natural as a round stone in a grass field;/He could walk through a cattle fair/And the people would only notice his odd spirit there”.  In the same poem he speaks of people’s attitude towards going to Fr Mat to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Saturday Confessions): “The knife of penance fell so like a blade/Of grass that no one was afraid.” I think Pope Francis would be happy to share a parish with Father Mat.  Chances are we all would!

Kavanagh remembers this priest and puts him before us in verse not because he was a fireball in the pulpit or because he built churches, schools and halls but because he moved among his people.  He knew them.  He most likely never said it in as many words but it seems clear, he loved them.  He saw before him, behind and around him, people in need of love and that bit of compassion that never ever goes astray. He embodied mercy – Divine Mercy.

On Divine Mercy Sunday there’s a call going out to us all to be kindly in our dealing with others, to avoid being judgmental or condemning.  We are asked to hear again and again Jesus’ first words in nearly all his post-resurrection appearances: “Peace be with you”.  Anything in us, about us or from us that is not encouraging “peace” is most likely not rooted in faith or a clear and thought out understanding of the Gospel message.

We are born to live.  We are baptized to belong.  We are here to make a difference.  What “locked room” can we walk into today or in the coming days?  Is it an ongoing row?  Is it a strained relationship in the home?  Is it a reluctance to acknowledge our own sinfulness and need for repentance?  Is it doubt?  What locked door stands between us and peace right now? We need to be honest enough with ourselves and others to recognise and name this door and we need faith, hope and every ounce of love that is within us to find the key, unlock and set free what is trapped within.

Recently Pope Francis spoke to the bishops of Ireland.  He might or might not have mentioned the smell of the sheep to them but either way they know where he stands on that. He spoke to them about the “apostolate of the ear” – the need to listen to people and respond to what is heard.  There’s a lot in that.  Kavangh’s Father Mat seemed to have mastered it and that’s something to be thankful for – people who listen to us when we need to speak.  Chances are though, we need that same “apostolate of the ear” when it comes to ourselves so that we can truly hear what we need to hear from our own hearts so that we can be set free, like Lazarus of the Gospel, like Thomas who had his doubts, like the disciples who had locked themselves away.

Only then can we truly appreciate the “Mercy” of the Shepherd.  Only then are we in a position to shepherd (care for, truly love and mercy) those around us, depending on us for example and love.  Only then can we truly grasp the depth and gift of mercy.

Praying for different results

Praying for different results

papalprayerThis photo has featured many times since the day the two popes met and spent a bit of time in prayer.  Quite humorously, it was used in recent days to show the two men praying for different results in the World Cup.  We now know which way that one fell!

Yesterday I was reading some Patrick Kavanagh poetry (he’s still in my head and I intend learning a bit more about him in some way or other) and I came across a lovely poem called “FR MATT”.  It’s long and involved and seems to touch on the life of the priest in the parish. In fairness, he’s a good man who seems to fit in well – as Kavanagh says, “like a round stone in a field”.  I had the feeling Kavanagh liked him.

There’s a part of the poem about people waiting in church to go to confessions and the prayers being said.  There’s a lovely piece about two people praying within kneeling board distance of each other but their prayers are for a different outcome …

In the dim
Corners in the side seats faces gather,
Lit up now and then by a guttering candle
And the ghost of day at the window.
A secret lover is saying
Three Hail Marys that she who knows
The ways of women will bring
Cathleen O’Hara (he names her) home to him.
Ironic fate! Cathleen herself is saying
Three Hail Marys to her who knows
The ways of men to bring
Somebody else home to her –
‘O may he love me.’
What is the Virgin Mary now to do?

                                                  (From “Fr Matt” by Patrick Kavanagh)

It begs the question whose prayers should be answered.  Pope Francis said that he wasn’t going to pray for any team in the World Cup but rather that the sport would be enjoyed, bring people together and leave it at that.  I heard of a Priest President of a diocesan college who used train the football team and he’d tell the team clearly that he wasn’t going to pray for victory as the other team would be doing the same and might be better “pray-ers”!!  Same idea.

So what happened Cathleen O’Hara (he named her) and the man in the next seat.  Was prayer answered?

They say it’s always answered but maybe we don’t recognise the answer or understand it.

Any thoughts on this …. maybe we could get a discussion going!!

 

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