The key-line in today’s readings at Mass is “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate”. It goes on to say,”Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned”.
It makes so much sense and yet is not always easy to live by or recall, not least when we feel wronged. This remains, nonetheless, at the heart of our faith and the Christian way of living.
Into the second week of Lent now, maybe it’s not a bad challenge to set before us.
Let’s leave it at this today!! One of my favourite songs and the singer is a Sligo man … can’t get better than that. Remembering Dick Farrelly who wrote this song too – I once heard the idea came to him when he was travelling on a bus to Dublin. Regardless of where or how the words came, I’m glad they did.
Earlier today I was in Cloonloo for the baptism of my grand-niece, Grace Mary. I was happy to be there with my family as we celebrated this day with Grace and her parents. There were a lot of children there – Grace has many cousins – and that too was good to see and they brought life to the gathering. I was proud of my nephew and his wife and thankful that they chose to bring their little daughter to the Baptismal Font. It’s not something that’s taken for granted now and when they asked me about it, I was pleased that this was their decision and commitment.
Standing at the Font today, as the water flowed back into it during the moment of baptism, I could not help but think of my own baptism at that same font. Almost to the day, fifty-six years ago on St Patrick’s Day, water flowed back into that font from my head as the priest spoke my name and baptised me in the name of the Trinity. The words and actions today were, give or take, the exact same words of that day.
It’s an ongoing story this – the story of our faith and our journey through life. It is well begun in the celebration of baptism and, each day, we are called to remember. Days like these make the recalling a bit easier.
Maybe give a bit of thought to your day of baptism. Remember who was there – especially so if they are no longer with us.
This is my newsletter piece for Sunday – St Patrick’s Day.
Don’t call it “Paddy’s Day” or “Paddy’s”. This is a day to recall the faith we have received and by which we seek to be guided. This is a day to be proud of who we are and the difference we have made. This is a day to hope that all that is good and true in our faith and church might shine a-fresh, reach out to all and stir up within our people a desire to please God and look after one another in a way that is meaningful, sincere and rooted in compassion and kindness.
This is not so much a day to drown the shamrock as to rejoice in the waters of baptism. It is not so much a day to watch the parade as to be in it – partaking fully in the journey of a nation and a people and in the search for depth. This is a time to find our roots, remember who planted us and to yield our fruit in due season.
Being of Ireland today should be a badge of honour. Being Irish today means being faithful to the many good people who have paved the way for us. It is about remembering the countries that made us welcome and having an eye towards the countries seeking our welcome. It is about doing the right thing by and for people because it’s the right thing to do.
Today is a day to hear the music, sing the song, dance the dance and be one with others. It’s not a day for begrudgery or bitterness, a day for hostility or anger but a day to remember the prayer of St Patrick:
“Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ above and Christ below ….”
I saw a clip of Jeremy Clarkson on the revised “Who wants to be a millionaire?” during the week. I noticed that there is a new lifeline added – it’s called “Ask the host”.
Just a Lenten thought around the previous format. When faced with a question you have four answers and three lifelines.
For today might I suggest the answer might be found in “Matthew, Mark, Luke and John” and that the best three lifelines are “Father, Son and Holy Spirit”.
Of course the option added has its place too – “Ask the host” – prayer!
Today is the eighth anniversary of my father’s death, may he rest in peace. It is the sixth anniversary of the election of Pope Francis, may he be an instrument of peace.
Bill was my “holy” father – not in any pious way but through the sincerity of a good man. He worked hard and did more to help than to hinder. He was gifted in so many ways and his mind and wit were sharp. “Anything for a quiet life”, he’d say, jokingly, when going along with something my mother wanted to do or something she had said! His finest work was shown in his care for that same mother, when her health declined and he put everything he had into caring for her – loving her, I suppose – in a way that I hope to never forget.
Pope Francis too is a good man. I believe he has sought to do so much to make our church more like family than institution – more like home than a museum. He hasn’t had it easy. There are many who disagree with his approach. I have said before that when I first saw him six years ago, my heart sank as he looked so lost and bewildered and (not wanting to be ageist but I have to say it) old! I thought he was not what we needed and then he spoke: “Good evening”, he said – “Buonasera” – and St Peter’s came alive. My heart lifted and he has never given me any reason to doubt his desire to reach out to people.
Today, I am remembering that chair in Knock and the carved candle holder that greeted him when he walked, in silence, into the Apparition Chapel and prayed at the Gable Wall. The chair and candle holder speak to me today about giving someone a chance to sit down and rest and about having a conversation that brings light and hope to the fore. The candle holder, made from the wood of a fallen tree, speaks of the chance to re-shape and find new purpose for what might all too easily be discarded.
That reminds me of Bill too!! He fixed what another might throw away.
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