Any other day

I met a classmate for lunch today in Castlederg, Co. Tyrone.  “How old are you now?” he asked me and I heard myself say “fifty-five”.  Then he followed with “When will you be fifty-six?”  I struggled with the answer for a few seconds and then said “This day twelve months!”

I hadn’t wanted to draw attention to it being my birthday as I had invited him to meet me for lunch.  I didn’t want him to feel he had to “treat me” and, at the end of the meal, ensured he didn’t.  That’s the way I wanted it.

It was strange to be in Donegal today for my birthday.  I received some texts and messages from friends but people here did not know and that was not a problem.  I was never a huge birthday man – nor indeed did my family overly focus on any of our birthdays – but the dates are there and the journey moves on.

At this evening’s session of the Parish Mission we had a Penance Service.  Ten priests attended and many hundreds of people.  The church was practically full.  I was so pleased to see so many there.  A relatively recently formed youth choir provided the music and the atmosphere was – I can’t use any other word – perfect.  Beforehand one of the priests, the sacristan and myself lit a lot of candles, including ten larger candles to be carried by the priests to their place for celebrating the sacrament.  These were left together on a table, lighted and waiting, until needed.  There was something appropriate about seeing “the light” carried to what might well have been darkened places in the church and for people.

For an hour and fifteen or twenty minutes, the music continued, the people came forward, the priests celebrated the sacrament and the people remained – accompanying one another in this moment of healing.

At the end of the celebration, I told them that when  I was lighting the candles my mind moved to birthday celebrations and I spoke of my classmate’s earlier question and my response.  I told them that I was thinking of my parents today (R.I.P.) and the gift they gave me in the handing on of life.  Mentioning Van Morrison’s famous song, I said “my mama told me there’d be days like this”!!

It was a special day and a very memorable way to celebrate a birthday – doing what you believe to be the right thing to do with your life.  Yes, there have been darker and more uncertain days too but today and especially this evening and the sharing of faith, has to be numbered among “Days like this”.

LENTEN THOUGHT:  Be happy that you are doing with your life what you believe you should be doing.  Accept the days of confusion but never – ever – lose sight of the days when you know you’re in the right place.