Fr. John Ryan

 

TRINITY SUNDAY

3rd June 2007

 

This weekend brings mixed feelings for people. It is seen by most as the real beginning of summer and the hopes that come with that - fine weather, holidays, more time to relax, a time when the beauty of nature is at its peak. Mind you, as I write it is grey and raining outside - but that is a fairly common experience for the bank holiday!
For others it heralds the approach of the state exams. On Wednesday thousands of students around the country will sit down in exam halls and begin the Junior and Leaving Certificate exams. Summer will be postponed for a little while for them as they battle with questions on topics as diverse as Macbeth, Genetics, Depreciation Accounts and Ancient Greek Philosophy. The work of two/three years comes together into an intense fortnight or so like sun rays concentrated through a magnifying glass. Some would say that the hardest thing about the Leaving Cert is not the actual material to be covered but the ability to cope with the endurance test - 7 subjects, some with two papers, to be done in two weeks. To all in the parish who sit Junior and Leaving Cert this year we wish you well. May the Holy Spirit guide you through the next few weeks.
The other secondary school students have begun the summer holidays; three months of freedom. Hopefully they will find that there is plenty to keep them occupied. There is nothing worse than entering the holidays full of enthusiasm and then after two or three weeks finding that boredom has set in. that situation isn't good for the holidaying student and not good for the 'suffering' parents either!
Parishioners will be coming and going, taking holidays in various places. May you travel safely, enjoy the break wherever you may be and return safely again, relaxed and invigorated, re-created and ready to face day to day living again. And if you stay at home for the holidays may it be the same - a good, relaxing time for you.
This summer will see different activities for people - hurling and gaelic football competitions; Irish schools; preparing for marriage; celebration of weddings; pilgrimages to Lough Derg, Knock, Lourdes, Medjugorge; summer festivals; musical events, seisiuin; trips to the beach; barbecues - enjoy them all and may the company you share build you up and enliven you.
Through it all know that the God who is love - father, Son and Spirit - walks with you and shares your life with you. The Creator is with you as you recreate. The Saviour walks at your side and the Spirit dwells in you, guiding you along the way. Even in the summer sunshine God is present. May we bring him with us wherever we go. May we include him in all that we do and may we see him in all whom we see, so that by summer's end we will find ourselves closer to him, experiencing his unbounded love in all things and in all people.