Fr. John Ryan

 

6th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

11th February 2007

 

Our Lady and five saints feature in the week ahead up to and including next Sunday. Today, the 11th February, is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and designated World Day of the Sick. Millions of people have travelled to Lourdes, the place of Mary's apparitions to St. Bernadette, with the hope of healing their encouragement. Although it is the waters of the 'baths' which are revered for their healing properties, for most it is the peace of the grotto which brings healing, an inner healing, a spiritual peace that enables the individual to live life to the full in acceptance of their 'lot' in life. The inspiration of Bernadette's home place stays with them when they return to their own homes and empowers them with a sense of trust in God that at times seems even miraculous. In inaugurating World Day of the Sick John Paul II said that it is 'intended to reach consciences to make them aware of the valuable contribution which human and Christian service to those suffering makes to better understanding among people and, consequently, to building real peace.' Acknowledging the suffering of others is intimately linked to a peaceful world. When we disregard suffering we disregard the sufferer and fail to understand in any way the connection between suffering and peace. Only when we come to feel the suffering of others, or, at least, feel for the sufferings of others can we be genuinely peaceful.
Living peacefully has many facets and can be talked about on many levels. On the 14th, Wednesday, we celebrate the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, co-patrons of Europe. Brothers who lived in the 9th century, both Cyril and Methodius dedicated their lives to the spread of the Gospel in Eastern Europe. In 1980 they were declared co-patrons of Europe and thus strong symbols of the search for reconciliation within the continent of Europe which in 1980 was still divided into two - West and East, divided by the Iron Curtain. Their feast day should be a reminder to us that peace entails the ability to be inclusive, to welcome the person of Jesus into all situations trusting in his power to reconcile and renew.
Of course, for the majority of people the 14th February is not associated with these two great saintly brothers at all. Indeed, many probably don't even know that it is their feast day because it is dominated by St. Valentine. Valentine's Day, increasingly becoming a commercial goldmine for florists, cardmakers, chocolate makers and restaurateurs, is a day of love. Even though virtually nothing is known of Valentine the 141 has become his. The sentiments of Valentine's Day are good ones - love after all is the greatest of the virtues. Let us see in th® day the call of Jesus to love God and love our neighbour - the two great commandments no doubt recalled by Cyril and Methodius in their preaching of the Gospel.
Next Sunday sees the celebration of Well Day here in our own parish in Tullylease. The Gospel of Jesus, spread by Cyril and Methodius in eastern Europe, was firmly enthroned in Tullylease by St Berehert and we thank God for the gift of his preaching and the dedication of his life. As we pray for the sick this weekend, asking the Lord to bring them healing and to bring to all of us a deeper awareness of their suffering, let us remember to pray for the people of Europe during the week, that the Christian values which helped form the culture of the continent will be always treasured and next weekend let us join in prayer in Tullylease for our parish that the Gospel of Jesus, the Gospel of love, will be our mainstay and our source of unity and concern for one another.