by Vincent | Feb 29, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
I wondered!
The restaurant was about 1.5km away and it seemed a good idea to walk. Would surely help make room for the food and give me a fighting chance against another uninvited pound or three:} I’d never walked this way before but Google Maps would ensure I stuck to the route. As I walked darkness fell and the two lads ahead of me became more focused in my mind. The road was very narrow. I began to think the taxi I had considered might have been a better option. One of the lads looked back. They seemed to slow down a little and, as I got nearer, they crossed to the other side of the road and stopped – for no apparent reason.
I kept going and passed them by. I didn’t look back but felt it likely they were now the ones following rather than being followed. The road suddenly seemed long and the 1.5km, though well eaten into at this stage, seemed more like a half marathon. The hills of Rome were having their moment!
I thought about it and felt if I’d known this was a potentially dangerous route I’d not have travelled. I thought how ignorance is bliss but the blissfulness was not uppermost in my mind just then. The narrowness of the road, the absence of lighting, the darkness of my clothes and the meeting cars only heightened my sense of isolation. Yet, the cars were a comfort. I thought their headlights were my strength – my companions on the way.
As I neared the restaurant I had to turn right so I chanced a quick look back. I was alone on the road. No men on the road – nobody behind me. I thought how foolish I’d been to let my imagination wander and smiled at the story I’d created in my mind – potentially scary and all as it was.
The others were in the restaurant before me. One of the men asked where I was staying and I told him. “How did you get here?” he asked. “I walked”, I replied. He went silent for a few seconds and said “You walked up the hill?” “Yes,” I said. “Oh, that can be a dangerous hill. I’d not have walked that way ….. it can be dangerous!” He used the word dangerous twice!
The meal was lovely and the company great. I shared a taxi on the way home!
The thought – if we know the road is dangerous we avoid it – not knowing doesn’t make it any less dangerous so “walking in the light” is possibly the key!
by Vincent | Feb 28, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
Many of us would welcome that chance. Another year, another day, another hour to get things right.
It’s so practical. The gardener sees potential in the non-productive fig tree whereas the landowner cannot. To him, it’s negative equity, taking up space that could be more effectively used. The man on the ground sees it differently. He knows that what is needed is there and, given time, the tree will produce its fruit.
Something here about patience and about second or third chances.
Year of Mercy! It seems certain that Pope Francis sees the good in us. It IS certain that God sees the good in us. He’s okay with another year. Let’s meet him half way!
by Vincent | Feb 27, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
The count is on!
Keeping an eye and ear on the election results. Have heard of some losses and some gains – joys and pains.
I think it’s a tough game. It’s not easy to put yourself in front of your own people and seek their support. All the “promised” votes certainly don’t materialise and disappointment follows. At day’s end there is hurt and disappointment for the candidate and his or her family.
To be honest, there are some that I’ve not much grá for but I still think everyone deserves to be left with dignity. So gloating, in my opinion, should not be an option. People have spoken in the privacy of the polling booth and verbal put downs are an un-necessary road to travel now.
We hope that something positive comes from all of this and that a Government will be formed that respects the people who put it in office.
by Vincent | Feb 26, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
In HQ!!
Here for the Episcopal Ordination tomorrow of Monsignor Paul Tighe (a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin) who has worked in the Vatican for a number of years and recently moved to a new post in the Pontifical Council for Culture. I’m looking forward to the ceremony and thankful to have been asked to attend. Paul has connections with home. His mother is Johnson from Ballymote and there are cousins in Gurteen too. Happy as well about that link!
Spent a bit of time around Rome today and visited two “Holy Doors” – one at the Basilica of St John Lateran and the other at St Peter’s. The doors are wide open and welcoming but I have to say I’ve noticed a marked increase in security since I was last here. To get to the open doors, there are queues of people going through airport style security. It almost seems a contradiction that the open door is on the latch behind a layer of security. In its own way though, it’s a sign too that when evil is at work in the world, it quite literally stifles (but never quenches) the flow of good.
“Holy Door” – St John Lateran Basilica
“Holy Door” St Peter’s
I wandered around both Basilicas and their vastness never ceases to amaze but for some reason they don’t especially move me. I’ve seen people deep in prayer in both “churches” despite all the movement that’s going on around them. I think that’s one of the things I’m looking forward to at Paul’s Ordination is to see St Peter’s focused in prayer around an individual and his ministry. Chances are, it will take on a new and deeper significance for me.
I also climbed “on knees” as is the custom the “Holy Stairs“. A sore climb but one made by countless people. One step at a time, one prayer at a time. There’s an image at the top of the Crucified Christ with a woman and man at the foot of the Cross. I’m taking them to be Mary and St John. My confusion around that is that they both look quite old and drained. In a way, I’d like to think it is Mary, because I think we need to see her more like that from time to time. Sometimes the beautiful images of her belie a woman who knew at the deepest level of her heart what suffering meant. In this knowledge she is, for all of us, in tune with our own sadnesses and difficulties.
Scala Sancta “The Holy Stairs”
Finally, I spent time on trains and in the presence of people speaking a language that I do not understand. The occasional Italian word a native speaker does not make!! I wondered what people were talking about but, more than once, found myself drawn to broad smiles and deep laughter. It’s such a common language and we should be very grateful for it. It truly is the shortest distance between two people.
So where’s the thought in all this? I’m here to share in prayer and joy an important moment in the life of another. I wandered around today, saw buildings, tried to say a few prayers, almost got to Confessions but I met nobody I know. I’m looking forward to meeting people tomorrow, including some from the Irish College and a few Sligo people too. Rome will be at its best then, for it is truly people who make places. The Holy Doors are open and, please God, security needs will lessen as people come to recognise the common language of a smile and laugh. Also, the aged and worried Mary at the top of the Holy Stairs is an image that will remain.
Something old, something new!!
Oh, forgot to say I bought a cap!!
by Vincent | Feb 25, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
Not a lot to say today. “What’s new?”, I hear you say!!
Anyway, just wanted to include this day with the others. Earlier I was in the Cathedral in Ballaghaderreen, taking a few photos for a prayer brochure being worked on for the Day of Pilgrimage to The Holy Door on March 13th. When I went in there were children there with their teachers and one of the priests, practising for an Enrolment Service for Confirmation. They were singing a song called “This little light of mine” and the thrust of the song is around letting it shine.
Maybe that’s the thought for the day. This little light that is your gift and mine, perhaps we can do all in our power, with HIS POWER, to let it shine.
by Vincent | Feb 24, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
I recently came across this quote:
“Two things to remember in life; Be careful of your thoughts when you are alone and be careful of your words when you are with people”.
Like all such sayings, there’s a wisdom here. Sometimes the thoughts we have when alone can be very disconcerting. Often we can find ourselves writing a “novel” in our heads and creating all kinds of stories that amount to nothing. We try to second guess what someone said or didn’t, their reaction or lack thereof. Quite often we’ve totally misread the reality of the other person’s intent and, given the chance to discuss matters, find there’s no real issue at all.
Equally words can be dangerous. It’s about balance in life. My father used quote an old neighbour who liked to say: “It’s all right in talking but it’s no harm to say nothing!”
We need to talk and we need to think. We need to be with others and we need to be alone but always, we need balance.
