by Vincent | Mar 29, 2010 | Uncategorized
Passion (Palm) Sunday – 28th March 2010
We enter Holy Week. We do so as a humbled church, mindful of the many falls that have taken place. There is something in this week calling us back to our roots. Those roots are found in a borrowed upper room, where Jesus took what was ordinary – bread and wine – and transformed it so that it was for those around the table, as it is for us today and for all the generations in between, the “Bread of Life”. They were reminded and called to “do this in memory” of him. They did and we do. Those roots too, show us one called “Lord”, “Master”, “Teacher” kneel at the feet of his guests, pour water from a jug and clean what had become dirty, soothe what had become sore and above all, give a lesson in humility. Those roots take us to a garden and a troubled prayer – “if it be possible, let this cup pass me by”. Those roots take us to a friend turned traitor who betrays the Lord with a kiss. We find ourselves too in an unjust courtroom, where a judge goes against his better judgement and loses his voice and courage in the midst of an angry and roaring crowd. There are scatterings and gatherings – scattering of the disciples and gathering of thieves. People lost and people found. There will be a darkness over the whole land, a veil torn in two and the compassion of a man who offers his grave as a resting place. A temporary one though; for there will be a Sunday morning, a stone rolled back, a vision of angels, a gardener, a meeting on the road to Emmaus, a shared meal and a moment of recognition.
Yes, Holy Week is a week that calls for Holiness. May we be made holy through our participation in and celebration of these days, the remembering and re-telling of a Sacred story and a true sense of sorrow for past mistakes and hurts. May we find new vision and new purpose and, with hearts renewed, set out to tell all – “it is true, he is risen”.
by Vincent | Feb 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
Tuesday next is the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple. It’s a quiet day, passing without much fuss or attention but is hugely important. The day remembered, reminds us of the taking of the child Jesus to the temple in accordance with the traditions of the Jewish people. It reminds us of the ordinariness of the “family” of Nazareth. They did as all did – honoured God and invited Him to be part of their lives. A new child, a new beginning, a step into the future and a respect for the past are all part of this day.
It’s not unlike the bringing of a baby for baptism. Many of you have waked that walk, carrying your newborn to the church so that he or she may be welcomed into God’s family and become part of something very special.
One of the lovely features of the Presentation in the Temple is the meeting of generations. We have a young couple with their infant son, an elderly man and an elderly woman. They are brought into conversation and relationship by their gathering in church. This is surely a model for parish life and our involvement in the church. Surely it needs to be a place where the generations feel welcome, wanted and needed.
As we gather then, this weekend, we might take notice of those around us. Who do we see? Babies in their parents’ arms, toddlers, young children, teenagers, married couples, single men and women and some of our older parishioners. We see them together and we are together with them. As it should be!
by Vincent | Oct 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
What a powerful story! A day began in darkness ends in light. This is a total reversal of the normal and the expected. The day should go the other way. In the normal course of events maybe – Jesus is different.
Bartimeaus was blind and a beggar. Doubly afflicted, his life was lived in shadow – the shadow of blindness, poverty and of a moving and happening world. It was ironically the movement that caught his attention since there was a lot of movement and a lot of chatter that day. He wondered why and thankfully someone told him that Jesus was at hand. That was all he needed to hear. His shouts for help followed and though some tried to quieten him, his shouts were heard. There’s a lovely moment when Jesus asks the people to bring him over. Lovely because Jesus didn’t need them to do that but wanted rather to show them and, through them, all of us, that we have a part to play in the healing of others. That’s what we sometimes call prayer – where we seek to bring the needs of the sick to the Lord – we might light candles, say a decade, attend Mass but what we’re doing is bringing the sick to Jesus. He asked them to do that and he’s asking us as well.
Jesus welcomes Bartimeaus and puts a direct question to him – “What do you want me to do for you?” If Bartieaus ever had an answer ready it was that day and it was a telling answer. “Lord, let me see again”. The word “again” is important since it suggests he had seen before and somehow lost his sight. It’s a prayer for a re-opening of what has been closed and a re-discovery of what has been lost. It is a prayer for our time. “Master, let us see again”. It is, most importantly, a prayer that was heard.
The day begun in darkness would end in light. A prayer was offered and heard. A healing had taken place. People – the community – was asked to notice one that had been un-noticed and the community found its voice “Courage”, they told him, “get up, he is calling you”.
What does all this say to us here today? Where is the loss of sight and where is our voice? Darkness can become light and anxiety become a memory if individually and collectively we recognise the truth that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. When we call out his name, we must believe our voice will rise above all other noise and he will hear. He will hear and he will stop. He will notice.
Lord hear us ……………………. “What do you want me to do for you?” “Courage!”
by Vincent | Oct 16, 2009 | Reflections
Recently diocesan appointments in our diocese came into effect. The same is most likely true of every diocese in the country. The familiar face in the pulpit and the familiar faces in the pews may well be a memory on this October morning. Mission!
What is the mission? It’s about proclaiming God’s Word and being shaped and guided in God’s Way. It’s about hearing something of God’s message and wanting desperately to share it with others so that the sharing may continue and the story may be told. It’s not about titles or control. It’s not about thumping pulpits. It’s not about laying heavy burdens on shoulders. It’s about the practical. It’s about doing what can be done and doing it now.
A missionary once wrote about his experience in his parish and of feeling disappointment when he noticed a pump that had been put in the village fall victim to neglect. He said he felt like “giving out” to the people and telling them they must attend to the mechanical welfare of the pump, oiling, maintaining and respecting this gift in their midst. He didn’t! He remembered a man in his native Mayo parish being asked if the car he was selling used oil – “she would if she got it”, the prospective customer was assured. The missionary realised the difference between his native parish and his missionary posting was more to do with miles than mindset. His point, well made, was that people are people.
Today we see people at the heart of Mission. The service of people is vital. “The Son of Man came to serve not to be served” the Gospel tells us. Missionaries leave what is familiar to them to become familiar for and with others. “Familiar” – FAMILY – similar words with the same root. Friendships are formed through mission. Faith is shared and deepened through mission. Hope is given through mission. Love is lived through mission. At the heart of all this is service.
Mission Sunday reminds us that the car in Ireland and the pump in Africa need to be minded and serviced. More than that, it reminds us that people are people – the People of God. As priests and parishes in Ireland get to know each other in these days of new parish appointments, we remember missionary men and women, the roads they travel, the hands they hold and the faith they nourish.
It is a global Church – a global Parish – we’re all in this together at the service of one another.
by Vincent | Oct 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
A few words for the weekend!
The Kingdom of God isn’t so much an address as a way of life. In other words, it’s about a mind shift whereby all we do, say and become is shaped by this Kingdom. It’s a sense of the right, the decent and the good. It’s about forgiveness, healing, patience, giving and becoming. It’s not always easily found because at times we look in the wrong place!
We are in this Kingdom of God right now! Not because we’re in this building though it is certainly part of the Kingdom, but because we are here to pray, to listen to God’s word, to share Eucharist, to be blessed and sent on our way to “Love and serve the Lord”.
The well-intentioned question at the heart of today’s Gospel passage misses the mark. The questioner is totally sincere. He wants to do better. He wants a map to the place! He wants directions. Jesus offers DIRECTION! Eternal Life/Kingdom of God is not so much destination as dedication. Where we find dedication to God’s word and attentiveness to its detail we find the Kingdom of God.
Jesus speaks of giving up possessions, of selling all and giving to the poor. Do we all need to put our life’s possessions in the small ads? Do we need to advertise our wares on EBAY? Maybe! Certainly if they’ve taken too much hold of us we need to downsize. Maybe if we judge our well being on our possessions it’s time to have another look. But selling everything could easily achieve nothing if it’s done for the wrong reason. We often criticise airlines that restrict our luggage size and who penalise us for carrying a second or third case. Sometimes, the airlines might have it right. How much do we really need? When push comes to shove a lot can be left one side and what is essential carried aboard – even in a see through bag.
The Kingdom of God is about see-through bags. It’s about transparency. It’s about not carrying what can be left down. It’s about being able to get through narrow openings so that we can make a difference once we get through. It’s about focus.
What is our focus today? What can we truly do to make the world a better place? Do we need laws and regulations to make us choose what is good or do we do good because we choose? The poor – yes, they need to be part of our focus. Those who may be financially poor, emotionally poor, spiritually poor are calling out for help. We may well be among them ourselves. In the Kingdom of God they – we – are noticed not ignored, helped not hindered, encouraged not condemned.
The Kingdom of God is around us. Focus continues or begins now.
