Shay’s Sunday

This tractor belongs to a man called Shay.  It could not be further from his mind that I am writing about him now.  As I walked down the path to the church this morning for Sunday Mass, Shay drove the path ahead of me as he has done, I’d imagine for decades.  This is his transport – the tractor that serves his daily farming needs is also his travelling companion as he goes to worship his God. say his prayers and meet his neighbours.  He’s truly a lovely person and a good man.  He’s not alone.

All over Ireland today – indeed all over the world – Shays left their homes to celebrate Sunday as it deserves to be celebrated in the making holy of the Sabbath Day.  He lifted my heart today as he has done on many occasions because he reminds me it’s still important and, indeed, essential, to take that bit of time out to say a word of thanks, to be nourished by Eucharist and to be faithful.

Shay reminds me too that my life matters and that I owe it to him to be as happy as I can be in ministry and continue to be there to share God’s word with him, his neighbours and our parish community.

Statistics reassure us that faith and worship are in decline but Shay reminds us that Sunday is the day you set aside, dress up and travel, irrespective of the mode of transport, to bend the knee, bless the face, say a prayer and be “parish”.  Yes, I’m saddened that many didn’t hear this call today but glad to have seen this man and many more like him.

We must not forget!  We must not be ungrateful.  We must MUST carry on ….. on the one road!