FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

26th December 2004

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

Every year when it comes to Christmas time I think of the years I was a seminarian in the Irish College,. For those four years I didn't get home for Christmas. It was part of the college rule. What made it even more difficult was the fact that from the 26th December to 5th January we could travel to any part of mainland Europe once the permission of the College Rector was granted.
We did the best we could to create a good atmosphere leading up to the 25th and after the midnight Mass we all gathered in the common room and presents were exchanged, songs were sung and the odd tear was shed as well. On Christmas morning some would go to St. Peter's for Mass and the Urbi et Orbi blessing while others remained in the college. The traditional dinner was served at about 1.30.
Everything would be quite normal in the dining room until the phone rang for the first time. An eerie silence would descend - the hope of all being that the call was for them - from home. When the phone was answered and the recipient of the call was announced the chat would begin again.
After the phone call from home I would usually stay in my room for a little while before joining the other students in the common room. Talking to everyone at home was great - a connection with the family on the family day. When the receiver was put down the sense of aloneness and loneliness would hit. And I suppose we all had those moments of self-pity thinking of the craic they were having at home and here we were stuck in the college over a thousand miles away.
It was only the day of my ordination did I realise what effect it was having at home. I knew that all the family would have loved to have me at home. But I only found out the effect my absence had when Joseph, my older brother stood up that day to give a speech at the reception. Of all the things he could have said, seriously or in jest, he began by saying that it was great that now I was ordained I'd be home for Christmas again, and he went on to outline the previous four Christmas Days and how everything was planned around the "Rome phonecall". I had been feeling sorry for myself but never thought that my absence was having a similar efect on everyone at home - even though they had the presence of each other on the day.
It really brought home to me how important all of us in the family are to one another and I thank God for that because not everyone has that blessing. We are indeed far from the model family - we have our ups and downs, our difficulties and disagreements but so far so good we have managed to stick together.
The model family is the family whose feast we celebrate today. The Holy Family of Nazareth. Let us ask the Lord to bless us and our families with many good gifts in the months ahead. We place into the hands of Jesus Christ, through the intercession of his mother Mary, and her husband, Joseph, all families experiencing difficulty, pain and suffering. Lord, grant them the grace and strength they need at this time.

 

 

Christmas 2004

In the winter of 1223 Francis of Assisi was staying in a small friary at Greccio in Italy. A rich man from nearby offered the friars any gift they wished at Christmas. Francis said: "I want to celebrate Christmas with you. Up in the rocks you have a cave - there prepare a crib full of hay, bring an ox and a donkey. I want to feel and see with my own eyes how much the Son of God wanted to be poor when he was born for love of us. And so that year all the friars and the local people gathered together at the now famous cave of Greccio.

With all the angels, we praise your name, and tell the world the wondrous story of your birth.
Sweet little Jesus boy, born in a manger. Sweet little holy child, we didn't know who you was.
Quietly you came to us. You come with power that we may share your power; humble, that the poor and lowly might see their greatness; destined for a cross, that all might have eternal life.
God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.

 

REFLECTION

 

The jobs are done. All the preparation has come to its end and we have arrived at the moment for which we have been getting ready. Advent is over. The white candle is lit on the wreath. The circle is complete. In the letter to the Hebrews we are told that in many ways God revealed himself top his people. Through the law, the prophets - but in the fullness of time he reveals himself through His Son. The circle is complete - it is the completeness of time's revolution. And the new Adam, in humility and poverty arrives into the world to transform it, to reconcile it with the Creator. Guardians of nature are the first to come and worship him. The shepherds of Bethlehem respond to the message of the heavenly choirs and pay homage to a child. The innocence, purity and holiness of the moment could not have been lost on those who were present.
Is it lost on us?
Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth - the words of the Gloria, the hymn of the angels. Do we see this night as the foundation of peace and goodwill? Or do we treat it as a lovely night, when the liturgy is adorned with the festive carols and the beautifully shrill voices of children singing. It is all that - but has to be more. Otherwise the message is lost. This night is about heaven touching earth so that the world can know the beauty of heaven. The divine enters the realm of the finite so that the finite can hope for the infinite. This child we celebrate is the one who comforts the lonely and heals the sick and sets prisoners free. This child is the one who transforms the pain of suffering into the cleansing of redemption and salvation. This child is the one who lifts the heart so that even when we do miss those who have gone before us we can we say in faith and with confidence that their lives are changed not ended. This is the beginning of the journey of our salvation. Placing faith in the child, we place our faith in the crucified, risen and ascended Lord.

 

 

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

19th December 2004

In an Advent address, Fr. Cantalamessa, the Papal preacher described the Eucharist as being in continuity with the Incarnation. Christ comes into the world in Bethlehem, fully human and fully divine. In the Eucharist we encounter the same Christ, present body, blood, soul and divinity. The prophecy of Isaiah, heralding the coming of the Emmanuel, "God-is-with-us" is fulfilled in Bethlehem and continues for all eternity. Christ is Emmanuel, God with us in the here and now. Next Saturday we celebrate the fulfilment of the prophecy - every time we celebrate the Eucharist or come together in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament we continue that celebration, thanking God for the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ. This Sunday we celebrate the December Day of Adoration. As part of our Advent preparation it opens our minds to the reality of Christmas, the coming of Christ. At 3pm we will celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation calling on the forgiveness of God, the conversion of heart towards the God who is with us. This weekend is our opportunity to place the Christ of Christmas before the rush of the material. It gives us the chance to open up the spiritual riches and gifts of the Advent season so that we will be fully prepared to open up the gifts of Christmas, the gifts of joy, peace, happiness and love which break into the world in the form of a child. This is the chance to take time out from the rush of the secular and bask in the power of the sacred, the power of God's love and grace offered freely to us all - the true gift. As we pray together today we pray for each other, reaching out to our brothers and sisters asking God to bless them and keep them, to shed his light upon them. As we adore the Lord together we place our parish into the hands of God and ask him to grace us with his loving presence. As we ask for forgiveness together we reach out to the Lord of love and ask him to fill all of us with his love and mercy. The greatest gift we can give each other as we come close to the great feast of Christmas is to spend some time together in prayer. Uniting in worship, we collectively call on the God of relationship, the God of connection and ask him to be part of our relationships, part of our connections. The renewal of our very selves depends on the presence of God. And the renewal of our parish depends on that same presence recognised by each of us and seen in every member of our parish. To lift the spirit of the parish and renew the community we must collectively call on the Lord to enter and take possession of our hearts. The Good News of Jesus Christ is that we belong to him. The celebration of Advent is our acknowledgment of that belonging; let us allow the Lord to possess us.

 

 

Third Sunday of Advent

12th December 2004

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

In today's first reading we are presented with great images of rejoicing and exultation. The closeness of Christmas and the feeling of warmth which is creeping quietly into the hearts of all as we prepare to celebrate the great feast is anticipated in the liturgy. The choice of readings, including the Gospel, speaks of the preparation which is central to this season but it allows us to have a good view of why we are preparing. We are preparing to celebrate, we are preparing to rejoice because the prophecy in Isaiah is fulfilled in Jesus.
Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else? We don't have to wait - for the Lord has come. Our celebration is not one of anticipation but one of fulfilment. The lighting of the rose candle on the advent wreath is a sign that the time is moving on. The patience called for by James is paramount. We could very easily start wishing the days away and forget to live in the present moment. Yes, we do wait and hope and rejoice, but we must live the message of Christ's coming into thte world in the here and now. Jesus points to the difference he has made in the lives of the people to let John the Baptist know that the prophecy is being fulfilled. Likewise, we must live patiently, not complaining, and bringing that very same message of salvation to all right now. Living through Advent is not a question of rushing through it with eyes simply on the 25th; it should be a time of active waiting, so that the joy which comes with Christmas Day is born out of the reality of Christian living.
Throughout this week we see John the Baptist as focus of the Gospel readings. His work is done - he has prepared the way and he now hands over completely to Jesus. In the Christian life we are called to hand over to Christ always. To allow Jesus guide us is the crux. As we prepare with joy it is with Christ at the centre. As we wait patiently it is with Christ as the centre of all thought and action. Then will we proceed on the right road to Bethlehem, arriving at the crib with hearts renewed and strengthened. Only then will we be united with Isaiah and the Baptist, totally focused on the universal fulcrum, fully linked to the movement seen in the history of salvation and totally conscious of the salvation which is ours and will be ours and which is bathed in the light of Jesus Christ, child and healer. And we are called to remember that and live according to it. Joy, prayer and thanksgiving are meant to be part of our way of life and not just added extras. They are not mere accessories - like the sprigs of holly which will be placed above pictures hanging on the wall, or coloured baubles on the Christmas tree - they are the evergreen of Christian living which makes Christ manifest in the world.

 

 

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

 

8th December

Fr. John Ryan.

In today's Gospel Mary calls herself the handmaid of the Lord. Throughout her life she fulfils the role of handmaid , as servant of God, through her constancy, her presence in the life of Jesus Christ, she is the exemplar of discipleship - following the Lord at all times, bearing witness to the reality of his salvific role. In the Annunciation she accepts the role allotted to her by God - to bear the Son of God is her vocation and she takes it on board, giving herself over to God so that his plan for mankind can be fulfilled. Mary's yes to God is also her yes to the whole of creation; she becomes the new Eve. As Eve is the mother of mankind, Mary is the mother of mankind redeemed. Whereas Eve is tempted and falls, Mary is fall of grace and is the vessel for the salvation of the fallen. The first step for Mary in taking this part is to say yes. The first step in discipleship is to say yes. At the wedding feast of Cana it is Mary who intercedes for those in need. Even though Jesus' reaction is to say that his hour had not yet come, Mary places her faith in him and prepares the stewards for action: "Do what he tells you" she says. Focus is on Christ. And Christ focuses on the need of the couple performing his first miracle -the first of the signs of his glory. The mother-disciple is present and her discipleship is active. Calvary - the scene of death - a scene of brutality. Her Son dies a horrible death on the cross. He dies in a manner reserved for the hardest of criminals even though he is an innocent victim. Mary keeps watch. Stay awake, stand ready, watch and pray with me are phrases of Jesus - Mary lives them intensely at the foot of the cross. The God-bearer at Bethlehem becomes the mourner at Golgotha, the place of the skull. And how her head and heart must have ached to see such a wretched sight. But she remained. Artists have tried to capture the moment in many ways. Michelangelo's Pieta portrays the dead Christ in the arms of Mary. Her countenance seems to be one of profound serenity in the face of the terrible events which have taken place. She appears to be in prayer, in contemplation - the disciple joined to God in a unique moment of history. The sculptor has captured a wonderful sense of 'stay here, watch and pray'. Pentecost sees Mary in the upper room with the apostles. Present at the giving of the Spirit, she is there as those entrusted with the mandate of preaching to the nations are enlivened by the Spirit of God. She is there to see them head out from the upper room, the place of the Eucharist, to begin a journey of discovery and enlightenment, a journey of hardship and suffering, a journey of hope and joy. She is there with the fledgling Church as it takes its first flight into the unknown yet certain. And she is still with us now. 2000 years later the one who was immaculately conceived, the one who was fall of grace, from her place in heaven, bears the title Mother of the Church and intercedes for her children. She still says 'Do whatever he tells you', she still contemplates the glory which is her Son, and she still supports those who witness to the Gospel. She is still the great disciple. She is still the great example for us all. 0 Mary conceived -without sin, pray for us -who have recourse to thee.

 

 

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

5th December 2004.

Fr. John Ryan C.C.

This Advent should be a time when we take stock of where we are, what is important to us, how we bring Jesus into our lives. Then we must see where we should be, what should be important to us and how Jesus should be allowed to permeate every part of our existence.
How can we allow Jesus to permeate every part of our existence? In the tradition of the Church there are many facets of spirituality which can be brought to bear to help us bring Christ into every part of our lives. The two pivotal words here are word and sacrament. Jesus, the Word, is present in his word. The Sacred Scriptures are the source of our knowledge of Jesus. By reading scripture we make a particular connection with the Saviour. The Old Testament prepares the way for his coming and opens up the reality of God's relationship with the Chosen People. In the use of the Jesse Tree this aspect of the Old Testament is made visual.
We meet Jesus in the Gospels and regular reading of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Christ binds us to the foundation of faith and the revealer of the Kingdom. By making Scripture part of our daily routine we make it sacred. The sacraments nourish our faith. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God comes into contact with us in the sacraments. A joyous celebration of the Eucharist, approaching Jesus in an open, trustful, praising way lifts the heart and brings strength to the spirit within us. The obligation on us is to join the worshipping community on Sundays and Holydays, but, being the source and summit of our lives, we should try to celebrate the [sacrament of the Eucharist as often as possible. Could part of our Advent journey be a commitment to celebrate daily? By welcoming Jesus Christ in the Eucharist every day we open the day to his grace through the sacrament. Also, the sacrament of reconciliation unites us to the merciful, loving God, the God who brings forgiveness and healing. The brokenness of our lives finds restoration and renewal in the loving kindness and all-embracing mercy of God.
Time dedicated and spent in prayer keeps the channels of communication with God open. An important element of prayer is silence. Allowing ourselves the chance to listen to God is vital. The reciprocal communication of prayer needs silence - otherwise God is called to listen as we incessantly talk.
Dedicating our work and leisure to God makes it sacred and reminds us that all we have comes from God. by offering our daily tasks and relaxation to the Lord we welcome home in asking him to be with us in all that we do. St. Ignatius of Loyola chose For the greater glory of God as the motto for the Jesuits. It is a motto which we could all make our own.
Another way of allowing Jesus permeate our lives is to see him in every one we meet. Reminding ourselves that all our brothers and sisters of Christ, made in the image and likeness of God, helps us to overcome our prejudices and angers allowing us to forgive, help, welcome and love all people. It is a challenge - but one well worthwhile.

 

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

28th November 2004

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

 

Advent is seen as a season with a three-fold message. It is the season which encompasses waiting, conversion and hope. Throughout this season the liturgies we will celebrate focus on at least one of these themes. It is also a two-strand season - we are preparing for the coming of Christ but not just in our commemoration of his birth. We are looking forward and preparing for his coming in glory, the second coming of Christ. There is a major emphasis on this in the readings in the next number of weeks and it begins in the readings for today. Isaiah places before us the image of the Lord who will unite all the peoples, bringing his authority to bear on everyone and leading creation into an era of peace - Saint Paul tells us that the time is has come, the night is almost over, it will be daylight soon. And Christ himself tells us that we must be awake, ready and prepared for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. The call to wait with patience and steadfastness, the need to convert - to undergo a radical change of heart, metanoia, - and the profound hope in he who has preached the Kingdom of God are the mainstays of the season and the programme for all who profess faith in Jesus Christ.
As we begin the Advent journey let us look at these three great elements and see what they mean to us.
This Advent should be a time when we take stock of where we are, what is important to us, how we bring Jesus into our lives. Then we must see where we should be, what should be important to us and how Jesus should be allowed to permeate every part of our existence.
This is something which we need to do as individuals - after all, we are called into a personal relationship with God - but we also need to do so as parish, as a people who collectively profess faith in a common God and a common Gospel. It is only if we look deeply into our hearts and honestly appraise the state of our relationship with the Lord that we can honestly do something to improve that relationship.
As we wait for the coming of the Son of Man, we are called to bring his Kingdom into the world. As we hope in Jesus Christ we are called to bring his hope to the world. And while we live in waiting hope, we are called to convert and re-convert, re-create and renew ourselves so that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
In their pastoral note, The Missionary Face of Parishes in a World which changes, the Italian Bishops' Conference present a pastoral reflection on the necessity of each parish to examine how it is presenting the Gospel and how it can adapt to the needs of a world crying out for consolation. On p.10 of the document it says: From the liturgy to charity, from catechesis to the witness of life, all in the Church should render Christ visible and recognisable. Our Advent journey should see us arrive at Christmas night rejoicing at the birth of Christ and with hearts converted so that those words have taken on a new and deeper reality in how we live as individuals and parish, so that more will be able to join with us and shout I rejoiced when I heard them say let us go to God's house.

FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING

21st November 2004

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

We have arrived at the end of the Church's year. The feast of Christ the King and the week following mark the final stages of the yearly liturgical journey. As the nights become ever longer and the weather becomes winterish we draw the journey to its close by looking at the Lord Jesus as the king of all. Everything converges on Christ. The kingship of Christ is universal - it is over all of creation, even its dullest, grayest times. Christ the Universal king is the focus of attention and the redemptive, salvific mission which he came on earth to fulfill is brought to our attention today in its completeness. Not only is mankind reconciled to God, but the entirety of the universe - the whole of creation - is reconciled with the Creator through Jesus Christ.

In last week's reflection we looked at the dangers of the secularist society and on Sunday someone asked me what I meant by secularist - usually the term used would be secular. I use the terms to refer to two different attitudes. A secular society is one where the distinction between Church and State is clearly marked out or defined. There are boundaries drawn and respected. The intended meaning of secularist is that society is not just secular, but acts in a way that results in anything which does not come within the bounds of the secular world is not given credence in any shape or form. It smacks of intolerance.

When Christ was questioned about the paying of taxes and whether it was right to do so or not, he asked to see a coin. On it was imprinted the head of Caesar. His reply was render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's, thus recognizing the need for us to live up to earthly responsibilities as well as heavenly ones. The fulfillment of our earthly, social duties enables the right order of society and allows for peaceful living in a world that so easily sees conflict. The ability and willingness to render unto Caesar what is his allows for development and progress. The ability and willingness to render unto God what is his acknowledges that there is a greater power than the secular one, a power which is centred on love and service, faithfulness and truth, and which enables us to look at all that is around us with a clarity which the secular world may not be able to provide.

Each of us has to be responsible within society. After all this is the world in which we exist. We are real and have to be realistic. However today's feast reminds us that there is a greater reality - a reality that cannot be neglected. The kingdom of God is the ultimate - the ultimate goal, the ultimate reality, the ultimate fulfillment of all human desires and needs. Jesus of Nazareth, sent by the Father to reveal God's unbounded love, preached the message of that Kingdom also letting us know that the kingdom is present in his very person. King of all, he is the source, guide and destiny of creation and we are called to render unto him what is his. By doing so we are nourished in his love which we reciprocate and are strengthened in our awareness - self-awareness and awareness of the beauty of the creation in which we are dwelling - of the Spirit which sanctifies and enlightens us, allowing us to be fully human and in touch with the divine, the Universal King, the Son of God.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Today's psalm is a wonderful hymn of praise to the Lord. Justice is seen to be the prerogative of the Lord and he is considered as a fair judge. The people are called to praise his arrival with music and song. The strains of the harp and the trumpet herald the truth of the Lord's actions. In the second verse the enormity of his arrival is brought to the fore - the whole of creation joins in the chorus of praise.
Let the sea and all within it, thunder;
The world, and all its peoples.
Let the rivers clap their hands
And the hills ring out their joy
At the presence of the Lord
The whole of creation is seen to acknowledge the greatness of the Lord. In the Gospel the whole of creation is seen to be in action as well. Here however it is placed before the coming of the Lord and has a deep negativity attached to it.
Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
These apocalyptic scenes wake us up to the enormity of our situation. Christ warns of persecution before these times. But he doesn't leave it sit in a negativity. The image of the just one, the legal imagery of the psalm, is called upon again - he puts himself forward as the defence team: Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed…you will be hated…but not a hair of your head will be lost.
Not a hair of our heads will be lost. The fair judge will protect the faithful and no matter what happens he recognizes the good. The good will always be close to the heart of the Lord. His protection will be granted in times of need.
Some commentators would say that today's world has not become a secular society, but a secularist society where the spiritual domain has no value. The denial of Christ and his message leads to the persecution, the ridicule of his people. In the face of such a society we are asked to hold firm in faith and strong in our hope that Christ is with us. When we look around and see the social problems of today we can see the need for a steadfastness in faith. There is a marked tendency towards an autonomy which leads not to freedom but towards anarchy. The "I am my own law and I must succeed in having the state justify it, legislatively, my demands" is a way which undermines the common good as a basis for decision and negates the ability of humanity to be truly human and throws God to the wind as if he can be dispensed with for the sake of instant gratification.
We need to lead the chorus of praise so that the Lord, the fair judge, will be welcomed and his people will see what is of true value.

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

7th November 2004

Fr. John Ryan C.C.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is our hope and our salvation. Central to our faith, it is the pivotal point in the preaching of the apostles and continues to be the pivot of faith. The fact that Christ rose from the dead makes the account of his life an ever important reality for all generations. We are in a position where we are called to trust in Jesus and accept his promise that the kingdom will be ours.

In the first reading we see the Maccabees ready and willing to approach today confident in their faith. The do not choose death - it is an acceptance which they possess, bathed in the light of faith and allows them to face the pain and give witness to the importance of overcoming the temptation to sin. For them facing death was the preferred alternative to sin. That level of faith is one which we could aspire to. The strength of their faith rests on an understanding of God as loving and caring. It is rooted in the sentiments of the psalm, where God hides us under the shelter of his wings.

Maybe our reading of this psalm leads to the hope of God's protection being manifest in a sure and definite way in this life. Our focus is usually on this world and we want the protection of God in this world - and through his Spirit he grants us that. The ultimate protection he gives is that which is rooted in the ultimate and the eternal. Those who live in the light of the Lord, in the ways of the Gospel, grounded in the great commandments of love, have the definitive protective promise - the promise of eternal life: the promise of resurrection already realised in the resurrection of Christ and the tremendous gift of reconciliation which Christ has brought to God's creation.

The question which we can pose today is - can we face the trials of life full of confidence, knowing that those difficulties are transitory and that their contingency, their temporary nature, is totally over-ridden by the necessary, eternal life promised to us. Through a firm faith in that eternity God shelters us from despairing in the midst of trial and tribulation.

Recognition of the proximity of the Kingdom of God in the person of Jesus Christ is the firm foundation of contentedness and also the driving force of action. The feeling of content which comes in faith is not which immobilizes and cocoons but empowers and becomes itself empowering. The greyness of November, the month of the Holy Souls, has the light of Jesus Christ break through when we in faith find a peace rooted in the resurrection which empowers us to reach out to the treasury of Christ's grace, so that those who have gone before us will attain the fullness of the kingdom. Our faith in the eternal points towards the eternal. Our calling on the eternal leads us to hope in the eternal. Our hope in the eternal nourishes the bond between this world and the eternal and through our prayer can bring the eternal into the lives of the secular-minded, inspiring conversion, praise and new life.

 

 

 

Feast of All Saints

1st November 2004

Fr. John Ryan C.C.

The month of November can be a difficult one. The clocks have changed. The nights are long. The weather may not be the best and we offer our prayers for the dead. It can seem so desolate. But if our reaction in prayer, our mind-set as we pray, becomes a morbid one then we are in danger of missing the point of today's feast and the commemoration of the Holy Souls which we celebrate tomorrow.
We are all called to holiness. The kingdom is presented for all to attain. In celebrating the feast of All Saints we remind ourselves of all those who have gone before us and are counted among the saints in heaven, in the presence of God, but who have not officially been recognised as saints through the process of canonization. The very fact that we celebrate the feast is an acknowledgement of the reality of heaven, a profession of faith in the resurrection of Christ and a clear affirmation that there are people who share in the realised promise of Christ's salvific actions. There are saints. We have known some. They are in heaven - the joyful message of Christ on the cross for the 'good thief' was Today you will be with me in paradise. Instead of focusing so much on the negative side of our lives we should look at how we are living the Gospel and continue to strive for a better living of it. Instead of fretting over the sinfulness which is ours at different times and in different ways, we should focus on the power of Christ in the sacrament of reconciliation and how it brings our relationship with God on line again and then see it as a bridge between heaven and earth. The sacrament of reconciliation allows us to be saints. It cleanses, heals and strengthens us so that we can journey toward the fulfilment of the communion of saints in heaven.
St. John sums it all up so well - Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God's children; and that is what we are. That is what we are. It isn't something which is in the future, we have it already. We are his children. We are loved by him. It isn't a question of future and what we will be or might be. We have it already and should not forget it. Saintliness is not just manifested in the lives of the great figures we see down throught he ages - it is not reserved for Therese of Lisieux or Francis of Assisi; it is open to us all and can be lived by us all in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Recognizing that fact can be a liberating experience for so many because it can lift a burden of guilt or fear.
Yes, we sin. Yes, we get it wrong. Yes, we need God's grace. Yes, we mourn and yes, we may find November a difficult month but if we entertain the hope of eternal life then we are liberated - we experience a liberation which drives us to purify and refine, to be Christ-like, to be saintly.
Surely everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ.

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

31st October 2004

In today's second reading we are presented with a wonderful sentiment of St. Paul. So used to Paul teaching, we forget that he is writing to a community that he knows. He has a personal relationship with a lot of the people he is addressing and thus within the letters there are many instances of the personal touch, the reaching out to friends and acknowledging their presence, their importance and their relevance to him. Today we see him pray for those to whom he is writing in Thessalonica.
We pray continually that our God will make you worthy of his call and by his power fulfil all your desires for goodness and complete all that you have being doing through faith - in his prayer he begins by acknowledging how all rests on God. He will make you worthy - this is pointing to the reality that we are dependent on the grace and power of God working in our lives. We are nothing without him and it is when we open ourselves up to the spirit of God, responding to his call, that we receive the benefits of his grace. It is not forced upon us but freely offered and we are free to accept. Having placed this as the foundation of the prayer, Paul goes on to highlight the intentions. He is asking God to fulfil the desires for goodness. We have our desires. We may pray for them to be fulfilled - but in the light of this prayer we can see that maybe we need to be a little choosy about what we ask for. Are our desires always for goodness or for the betterment of ourselves as people? If they are desires, which will take away from our development, then we should think again about praying for them.
The second intention is for the completion of their actions done through faith. Again there is a qualification. It is not asking for the completion of all activity but that, which is grounded in faith. Inspired by the love of God we are called to serve him - we are called to action and Paul prays that those aspects of life would be completed. We should remember that when we pray - are the actions being performed for the good of God's people and for his greater glory or are they being done for selfish motivations with no thought of God at all? The crux of the matter is that we should always have thought for God, a place for him in all our actions.
It links nicely I think with the first reading. The writer of Wisdom highlights God's love for us. Yes, you love all that exists…you spare all things because all things are yours, Lord, lover of life, you whose imperishable spirit is in all. He loves us: he lives within us. Zacchaeus is loved by Christ - and he finds an openness which no one else would grant him. He is forgiven and renewed, re-created by the Christ who was present at creation.
He loves us - and we too find an openness there, in the heart of Christ which we will find nowhere else. He forgives us and re-creates us. Are we open to his love and forgiveness is the question though.

 

 

 

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

24th November 2004

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

St. Paul shows a remarkable level of faith in this morning's second reading. It would be very easy to look at the passage from the second letter to Timothy and see him as being arrogant, but behind all that he says is the reality of faith as the crux. He has fought the good fight - but in faith. It is faith which proves the fundamental grounding for hope and courage. Every one of them deserted me…but the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear. In the midst of all difficulties he trusts in God, knowing that his intentions are right and so full of confidence that the Lord will provide. And he recognizes that God did provide, allowing him to persevere through even the darkest times. And Paul still hopes - for the crown of righteousness, which God awards.

The term 'righteousness' is often seen in a negative way by people. It has been coloured by the understanding which pertains to self-righteous, seen as a proud stance, an inward focused view of reality - a bit like the Pharisee in this morning's Gospel. Having outlined al his good attributes he turns and compares - I thank you …particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. The very statement seems to undo the good, unravelling the tapestry of righteousness which he feels he has woven. Christ goes on to explain the importance of humility. Obviously the Pharisee is for Jesus the individual who exalts himself, forgetting the importance of genuine humility before God. That genuine humility is one which sees us acknowledge our utter dependency on the Lord and the constant call for us to serve, to retire to the lower spot and give of ourselves to God in all our thoughts, words and deeds. The righteous one is one who acknowledges sinfulness and weakness and calls on God's mercy and strength, realising that without God he or she is nothing.

The true exaltation which we should look for is not that of the world. It is not the glamour and prestige of awards and thank yous but the exaltation given by the Lord himself, which opens the heart to feel his love and compassion. The need for human exaltation can be great,. Human nature yearns for recognition. We can see that in the spate of reality TV programmes where the 'ordinary' person on the street reveals all for the sake of a few minutes in the public spotlight. It doesn't take long before they are forgotten again. Once the next show begins previous 'household' names become forgotten. Jesus shows us in today's parable that the grasping for recognition, fame and high place is not the vocation of the Christian. The Christian calling is to recognise the need for God and to live life in a righteous, humble way.

To run the race to the end and to fight to good fight is to dedicate our resources, our very selves to the spreading of the kingdom. Making that kingdom, the kingdom of God, present in the world requires humility and strength; strength to face the blows which come from the massed crowd who do not, or do not wish, to welcome that kingdom. Remaining firm in faith and constant in humility and love will ensure that the kingdom will prevail and the crown of righteousness will be won.

 

 

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10th October 2004.

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

The leper -outcast from society at a time when nothing would cure it. It was a long, slow wait for death as the body began to decay while the leper was alive. Last Monday I met a lady who worked with lepers in Zambia. She was very quick to inform me that it is curable today. But at the time of Christ the lowest of the low were the incurable lepers who were totally isolated from the community. And Christ responds to their cry for help. They are healed.

Leprosy is curable now. Medical science has found the remedy. However, what has not changed is the fact that there are people we treat as social lepers or religious lepers. The terrible thing about the modern 'lepers' is that they are so not because of some bacteria but as a result of the judgements and prejudices of others, and quite often the judges are Christians claiming to follow the one who was compassionate and brought healing to the outcast. Christ led the outcast back into the community - we fall into the sin of casting out.

When we judge or cast out others we become counter witnesses to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Jesus brought redemption to the world with arms outstretched on the cross - a symbol of his overwhelming love for all; open arms ready to welcome everyone who approaches him for healing, forgiveness, conversion, mercy and love. We fall into the trap at times of folding our arms, standing erect and looking down with self-righteous stares on those we feel are wrong, or 'untouchable'. If we claim to be followers of Christ we must see that the judgemental attitude, the putting down of others, is not Gospel and instead of showing the world that the Lord is with us, we give an impression that the prayer we offer, the worship we give on Sundays, in the community celebration of the Eucharist is merely lip-service and a self-perpetuating elitist gathering.

The last lines of the Mass should be a reminder of what we are called to do. The Mass is ended, let us go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. To love and serve him - if our reaction when we leave the church is to continue or begin to exclude people from our society our group then loving and serving the Lord is not there. It is contrary to the example of Christ who welcomed the poor, the sick, the tax-collector, the prostitute, and welcomed them into the inclusive, loving community of the Father, Son and Spirit. The Kingdom of God is offered to ALL and none of us can decide that someone isn't worthy of that Kingdom. When we judge we are in danger of pushing others away from Christ and we become like Peter who wished for Christ not to travel on to Jerusalem. Get behind me Satan was the reply Jesus gave there - when we fail to love and serve, when we decide to exclude and categorize, we put ourselves in Peter's place, trying to change the mission of Jesus. We need to be vigilant - careful that we don't push people away from God.

Let us pray that we become healers of the modern 'lepers' and not the carriers of those leprosies.

 

 

 

27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

3rd October 2004

Fr. John Ryan C.C.

 

"…when you have done all you have been told to do, say, 'We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty'"

Last Friday was the Feast of Saint Therese of Lisieux. A remarkable woman in so many ways, her life, though short, is an inspiration to all. She wrote her story before she died and "The Story of a Soul" has sold many, many copies. Reading it, we face the incredible faith of someone who saw Jesus Christ in everything and everyone. A young woman who suffered so much, we see her link her suffering to the passion of Christ in a way which we may feel is far out of our reach. She definitely lived the line from the Gospel which we quote above.
Yet there is one passage in her story which always strikes me and gives great encouragement to us 'ordinary' folk. I suppose the reason it does is because it captures the ordinariness of a saint and thus can give a little lift to us as we try to do our duty and grow in relationship with God. She writes:

Now I must tell you about my retreat for profession. Far from experiencing any consolation, complete aridity - desolation, almost - was my lot. Jesus was asleep in my boat as usual. How rarely souls let Him sleep peacefully within them. Their agitation and all their requests have so tired out the God Master that he is only too glad to enjoy the rest I offer Him. I do not suppose He will wake up until my eternal retreat, but instead of making me sad it makes me happy.
Such an attitude of mind proves that I am far from being a saint. I should not rejoice in my aridity, but rather consider it as the result of lack of fervour and fidelity, while the fact that I often fall asleep during meditation, or while making my thanksgiving should appal me. Well, I am not appalled; I bear in mind that little children are just as pleasing to their parents asleep as awake; that doctors put their patients to sleep while they perform operations, and that after all, "the Lord knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are but dust."
My retreat for profession, as I was saying, was spent in great aridity, as were those that followed, but without my being aware of it, the way to please God and practise virtue was being made clear to me. I have often noticed that Jesus will not give me a store of provisions; He nourishes me with food that is entirely new from moment to moment, and I find it in my soul without knowing how it got there. In all simplicity, I believe that Jesus Himself is, in a mysterious way, at work in the depths of my soul inspiring me with whatever He wants me to do at that moment.

The great faith she had is clearly seen there but it is so consoling to read in the centre paragraph that this great saint struggled with prayer. Falling asleep during meditation or while making thanksgiving is not something we would really associate with the saints but here we have Therese confess to it. When we find ourselves struggle we should remember the struggle which Therese had and respond in like manner, continuing to try and seeing God's presence and ability to work in us and through us even in the times which seem so remote from the 'saintly' way. In our duty we call on him, in our attempt to surpass duty we call on him - the same God being himself while we attempt to live by his faithfulness, keeping as our pattern the sound teaching we have heard, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 

 

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

26th September 2004

Fr. John Ryan C.C.

Wednesday marks the 25th anniversary of the Papal; visit to Ireland. Back in 1979 the euphoria which filled the people of this country as the Pope arrived was incredible. Well over a million people gathered in the Phoenix Park to celebrate the Eucharist with John Paul II, the Vicar of Christ, the Servant of the Servants of God and many thousands saw him and prayed with him in Drogheda, Clonmacnois, Knock, Galway, Maynooth and Limerick. I still have memories of the very long journey from Cobh to Limerick for the Papal Mass. Stuck on a bus with the rest of the Scout troop it took over six hours to complete the journey with nearly four of those spent crawling from Charleville to Limerick!
What will the next visit be like? In 2005 will the crowds come out and celebrate with the Pope as they did 25 years ago? My gut feeling is possibly not in the same numbers. Ireland is a vastly different place now. With many changes for the better and some for the worse we are a changed nation. We are often described as 'modern Ireland'. Sometimes 'post-modern" is the adjective used and, although of rarer use, the title 'post-Catholic' has also been employed to outline the level of change.
In his address to His Excellency, Philip McDonagh, the new Irish ambassador to the Holy See, on the 9th April this year, the Pope acknowledged this changing Ireland and posed some challenges. He said:
As Your Excellency has noted, Ireland has recently undergone significant social changes, including remarkable economic growth. A more prosperous society has greater possibilities of becoming a more just and open society, but it is also faced with new challenges, including the danger of a certain spiritual impoverishment and indifference to the deeper moral and religious dimensions of life. Your country's aspiration to become a profoundly modern society, within the family of European nations, will find its highest expression in a commitment to reaffirming above all the incomparable dignity and the right to life of each human person. I am confident that by remaining true to the values which have shaped Ireland as a nation from the time of its evangelization, your people will help to make an outstanding contribution to the future of Europe.
Central to this statement are two points - the importance of strengthening our spirituality and constant vigilance regarding the dignity of every person. The two, of course, are linked. Our total existence, physical and spiritual, rests on God. Bearing his image and likeness we are called to live lives worthy of the inherent dignity we possess as the pinnacle of his creation. The spiritual impoverishment which he refers to is visible. That cannot be denied. However, there are also many signs of a deepening of faith and the presence of stronger personal relationships with God. People are taking time to learn about the faith which they profess, to pray with others outside of the Sunday Mass and to explore what faith means for them. The spiritual richness which comes through those activities is bearing fruit in many ways and will continue to inspire many and help them see that Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
As we reflect on that great visit of 1979 and look forward to another during the Year of the Eucharist (which officially begins on the 17th October) let us reflect on our parish and see how we can grow spiritually and live the message of the Gospel more fervently.

 

 

 

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

19th September 2004

Fr. John Ryan C.C.

 

When we hear figures on the news regarding profit levels of companies it can prove very difficult to get our heads round the reality of them. This week it was announced that for American companies Ireland is now the most profitable country in the world. The total profit made by American companies in Ireland according to the latest figures is 26.8 billion euro. One of our own financial institutions broke the 1 billion mark in profit in the last financial year. Hearing such figures and putting them in the context of the recent discussions on poverty levels in Ireland and the knowledge we have of the poverty in so many parts of the world leads to questioning of the motives of capitalism. There is so much poverty yet there is so much wealth. The discrepancy in our world is very marked indeed. Is it just to have such a gap?
The prophet Amos addressed issues of social justice right through his prophetic ministry. Close to his heart and central to the message given to him by God was the plight of those who suffered because of the greed and selfishness of others. He was conscious of the fact that those who profit most often do so to the detriment of others. And he was speaking 2800 years ago. The same problems exist now as then. For Amos justice and equality were crucial to the right order of society. Lowering the bushel, raising the shekel, by swindling and tampering with the scales, we can buy up the poor for money, and the needy for a pair of sandals, and get a price even for the sweepings of the wheat. Those who act in such manner are not getting away with their behaviour according to Amos. He reminds them of the love which God has for those treated unjustly. Never will I forget a single thing you have done. Directed towards the unjust, this is a clear and present statement of God's concern.
Since the encyclical 'Rerum Novarum' promulgated by Pope Leo XIII, the concern for social justice has been of great concern in the life of the Church. It is centred on the dignity of the human person. Because all people are made in the image and likeness of God we share in a dignity beyond all measure and any action which damages that dignity in any person is sinful. Pope John XXIII ended his social encyclical, 'Mater et Magistra', by referring to the great dignity which we have: we must earnestly beg all Our sons the world over, clergy and laity, to be deeply conscious of the dignity, the nobility, which is theirs through being grafted on to Christ as shoots on a vine: 'I am the vine; you are the branches.' They are thus called to a share in his own divine life; and since they are united in mind and spirit with the divine Redeemer even when they are engaged in the affairs of the world, their work becomes a continuation of his work, penetrated with redemptive power.
It is our duty in all we do, in all areas of our lives, to live and act with justice and love ensuring that the dignity proper to every one is respected and nurtured.

 

 

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

12th September 2004

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

The ugly face of terrorism continues to show itself in despicable acts. The atrocity of Beslan, Russia has touched the hearts of millions around the world and has rent the hearts of many in two as they mourn the loss of loved ones or wait for the recovery of close ones injured. Infliction of such pain and sadness is impossible for us to understand. How anyone can resort to such violence goes well beyond our capacity to rationalize. The terrorist mentality is impossible for us to understand.
Earlier this week at a conference in Milan, Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity addressed the problem of terrorism, seeing it as "the new scourge of humanity and the new challenge posed to the whole of civilization". The car bombs in Djakarta, Indonesia continued to highlight the truth of his statement. It seems terrorism is not going to go away.
Cardinal Kasper looked at the problem of terrorism and its links to religion pointing out the fundamental difficulties of such links. He said "social, economic and political motives are mixed with religious motives; religion often serves as an ideological cover and is therefore instrumentalized", but he highlights that such a cover is wrong and completely at odds with the basic creeds of Christianity, Judaism and Islam,"the three religions mentioned can allude to central passages in their sacred texts that prohibit in an absolute way any kind of violence and, specifically terrorism … terrorism, as a negation of the dignity of man, is at the same time, an offence to God…The justification of terrorism in the name of God is the most serious abuse of the name of God and its greatest profanation. ..Religions must tear off the religious mask from the terrorist's face, to unmask them and show them for what they really are, nihilists who scorn all of humanity's values and ideals. The profoundly nihilist character of terrorism can be overcome only through the affirmation of the fundamental attitude of all religions - profound respect."
Those words cannot be more clear. The actions of terrorists are contrary to all that religion represents. To act in the name of God by perpetrating actions contrary to the nature of God is a terrible distortion of truth. The atrocity of Beslan brings to mind the biblical equivalent - the slaughter of the innocents. Herod, to preserve his power wished to kill the prophesied 'King of the Jews', Jesus Christ and in order to do so put the children under two years of age to death - mindless slaughter for the preservation of a political position. In Beslan the innocent ones were callously murdered for the sake of a political idea - the slaughter of the Innocents made real and present in 2004. The Herodian actions of the terrorists are despicable and will not be forgotten. The memories of the slaughtered ones will be kept alive in the hearts of millions and I feel they should be recognised as martyrs - real symbols of man's inhumanity to man and constant reminders of all that is wrong with our world.

 

 

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

5th September 2004

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

In the Book of Wisdom we encounter reflections on the nature of humanity, God, knowledge, and righteousness. In today's passage the question of knowledge comes into play - but it does so not as a discourse on what knowledge or wisdom is in itself but as a comparison between the knowledge of God and man's knowledge.
What man can know the intentions of God?... the reasonings of mortals are unsure and our intentions unstable. It is hard enough for us to work out what is on earth…
How true those words are. We continuously address questions which occur in our own lives and in society but we seem to fail to find answers. We find it difficult to understand why a lot of things happen. This week the country was shocked by the murder of a lady in Co. Waterford. Her body was found in the boot of her car. The cause of death was battering. And why? For around 10,000 euro apparently. What brings people to such a level - to take the life of a woman for such a sum? To inflict such pain on her and leave her to die for an amount which does not go far in this day and age,. We can answer the why by citing greed as the motive. But we cannot fathom how anyone can be so greedy to go to such lengths. The idea of killing for cash is absolutely abhorrent to all of us. The sad thing is that it happens. When we cannot understand what occurs in our world how can we try to understand what lies beyond us?
The logic of this world can, I think, limit our ability to tune in to God. More and more we apply the method of science and maths to questions which are not scientific or mathematical. Communication between God and humanity is something which does not allow for experimental verification yet there are individuals who do not accept the possibility of God never mind the ability to communicate with him. The nature of the divine is not the same as the nature of the corporeal. To apply the very same criteria of thought to both dimensions is, therefore, not feasible. When it comes to looking at God, sometimes logic has to be suspended and we must empty ourselves of any preconceived ideas we may have in relation to the way things should be.
In that emptying, we give space to the Spirit - As for your intention, who could have learnt it, had you not granted Wisdom and sent your holy spirit from above? The insight which we receive into the intentions or the will of God are not deduced by ourselves but inspired by the subject of our reflection. Recognition of God's will is a combination of God's gift to us and our openness to his word. Usually it is considered as a result of a total detachment from the things of this world. When we place our dependence on the things of this world we place barriers between ourselves and God, shutting out the voice of his Spirit as he speaks to us. We pray today that we can empty ourselves in order to discern the intentions of God, in order to come into contact with the wisdom and knowledge which is beyond natural human knowing.

 

 

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

29th August 2004

Fr. John Ryan C.C.

 

This week sees the re-opening of the schools. By Wednesday the youth of the country will be back into the routine of the school year, with books galore, timetables, homework and all that pertains to school going. Summer holidays will be part of the past and the daily activities of the classroom and the resulting work become the mainstay of the week.
Education is seen as vital - the development of the mind and the preparation of the young for the life of adulthood are considered of great importance in our culture as they have been for centuries. John Henry Newman, when writing on education, felt it important to always relate it to the linguistic root of the word - education means 'to lead forth'. The role of the educator is to guide the learner, placing before them the necessary tools and information for the growth in understanding of the world around us.
Today, in relation to the secondary school system there is a growing danger that this sense of education is diminishing. The race for points and the scramble for college places often lead to a narrow approach to education, where the student is spoon-fed and the ability to research and explore is curtailed. 'What do I need to know in order to pass' or 'how much do I have to write' are common questions posed, showing a minimalist understanding of the role of education. The development of the mind is much more than gearing for points or doing just enough to avoid getting in trouble for insufficient effort at an exercise.
The onus on all of us, student, parent and teacher alike, is to see beyond the minimal, recognize the vastness of human experience and knowledge, and delve into the search for meaning which inevitably arises in the educational process. Those who are guiding the students are called to open up a world of intrigue and interest, enabling the learner to transcend the confines of narrow experience and see the wonderful variety and depth to the life given us by God.
In the world of the playstation and the computer it is the book which can suffer and hence the imagination is left stagnate. Last year in a class of 27 fourteen year olds, only one considered themselves to be regular readers. The ability to sit and enter into a world of imagination and expression is not considered interesting enough in a world of pushbutton entertainment and instant gratification of the senses. And that is a pity. Expression of thought and feeling can suffer as a result.
As the new school year begins maybe we can all look at our own understanding of education and try to see where it is rooted and what is its purpose. Let us pray for all who return to school after the summer holidays. May they have a good experience in the coming year. We pray in a special way for the children who are beginning their school years or entering into a new level. And let us not forget the teachers. May Christ, the Teacher, bless them all and may the Spirit be the source of inspiration for all teachers in the great task entrusted to them.

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

22nd August

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

Cyclists, gymnasts, rowers, swimmers and many more sportsmen and women have been in action in Athens over the last week or so, doing their best in their varying disciplines. The prestige of being declared an Olympian is at stake and the effort they put in mirrors that prestige. For the last four years, since the end of the Sydney Olympics, the focus for many has been this set of competition. Undoubtedly, in the light of some recent revelations in relation to drug-taking there will be an element of skepticism regarding some performances. But, nonetheless, the spirit of the Olympics is, and will always be, synonymous with humanity's continual striving for improvement. The focus and dedication of the athletes is something which can be an inspiration to all of us, even to the most committed 'couch potato' whose sporting prowess or level of endurance is measured by the number of hours spent in front of the television watching the athletes perform.
On Wednesday the Leaving Cert results were issued to those who sat the exams back in June. In another way these results are the final part of an Olympian-style situation. The long hours of effort, sweat and tears on behalf of students (and teachers) came to an end. As we gather in prayer this weekend we pray in thanksgiving on behalf of all who sat the exams and have received the results which they feel mirror their ability - the equivalent of the athletes personal best. We pray in a special way for those who may be disappointed, especially for those who may feel that their results are not a true indication of their academic ability. May the Spirit be with them to give them the help and encouragement they need at this time.
For anyone who is disappointed at not achieving the points required for the course they wished to follow in third level let us pray that as one window of opportunity is closed they will discover another which is open allowing them to fulfill the hopes they may have for the future. Acknowledging that it is a time of stress and pain for some we ask God to strengthen them in their resolve to be the person God has called them to be irrespective of the career options which lie ahead.
Looking at the greater picture all should be reminded that the Leaving Cert is a stepping stone, a guide or a marker, and not the ultimate indication of our worth. The intellectual is only one dimension of the human person. The mental, physical and spiritual also come into play. After all, how many of us have been asked about the results we got in that set of exams since the euphoria of our own exam results day? How we approach life and its inherent questions, problems and obstacles is of greater importance than any piece of paper with its printed grades. Integrity, honesty, kindness, openness to others, love, peace, justice and mercy are not graded by any examination board but are the true hallmarks of a rounded person, living the message of the Gospel and focused on the criteria of the beatitudes of Jesus

 

 

 

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 8th August.

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

 

One evening during the week, as I was driving up the chapel hill, the presenter of a news programme announced a discussion on the topic of the latest letter from the Congregation of Doctrine of the Faith on the collaboration of men and women in the Church and in the world. A document of 17 paragraphs it contains a lot of food for thought. However, today it is not he content of the letter I wish to reflect on, but one comment of a lady {I didn't catch her name} who was speaking on the programme. Her last comment was stated with strong voice, full of emotion. The Catholic Church is evil. A confessed atheist, this is her view and she had no problem whatsoever in stating it. Now, we are all free to accept and reject different viewpoints but I found it hard to listen to that line and not feel an anger. Reject Catholicism - yes, if someone wishes to do that I respect their choice. But to make a value statement of this type on a group of people seems to me to be unwarranted and unjust.
Over the last two thousand years there have been many decisions and occurrences which Christians of all denominations have to recognise as being terrible. From the crusades to the child abuse scandals, from corrupt popes to uncaring priests, the world has seen some very unchristian actions and responses. That cannot be denied. But to claim that the Catholic Church is evil sees all who have and do proclaim faith in Christ and express that faith in the Catholic Church judged because of the actions of some members. Members of the Church have been evil or done evil things - the Church is not evil. To state that is to deny the deep faith, spirituality and Christian action which has been the way of millions down through the centuries right to the present.
It never fails to amaze me that in a society which seems to pride itself on its liberal approach and its welcoming of a pluralist society, there is still an exception made. It seems to me that this lady disagrees with the reality of the Church and its belief system. Her ideas are different to those expressed in Church teaching and thus it appears it gives her carte blanche to go from disagreement to outright condemnation. It grieves me to think that the pluralism which is being advocated in this country appears to be a pluralism advocating the rights of all to express themselves but the Church; a pluralism which in its political correctness means toleration and language changes for the protection of the sensibilities of people but allows for the caricature of all Catholics as evil. Of course, it is possible that she meant the clergy, hierarchy or 'Rome' when she said Catholic Church - if she did then that should have been specified. At least the vast majority of the members of the Catholic Church would have escaped such a harsh judgement.

 

17th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

25th July 2004

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

 

Prayer is so important and yet so difficult. How do we pray? In what way should we pray? What is the best type of prayer? When should I pray? These are all questions which are posed at times by all of us. It is an integral part of our relationship so it does bring its questions. Prayer is our means of communication with God. Some people seem to find it easier to pray than others. I think that can be because those who have difficulty praying may not have found the way which best suits them. It is like the communication in any relationship - the way and means of communicating depend on the people in the relationship and the situation in which they find themselves. There are times when the formal prayers which we have all learned suit the state of mind which we may be in, helping us to focus on the task at hand. Other times, quiet reflection is needed either because we need time to clear our heads of the bits and pieces or else we need to give ourselves space to listen intently - it could be a case of looking for answers to problems and this requires the gentleness of reflection and meditation to hear what God is saying to us, to home in on the answer he wishes to give us.

Today's Gospel presents us with the Lord's Prayer, the Our Father. It is the result of the disciples asking to be taught how to pray. The Our Father is the blueprint for prayer, providing us with all the elements which can be present in the conversations we have with God. It has praise, hope and petition present in its words. It can be seen as personal yet communitarian. It acknowledges the tender care of God for us and our need for him. It presents us in need of forgiveness but also as powerful beings who can also forgive. Having prayed it so often we can take this prayer for granted, rhyming it off without thinking. Looking at it in a reflective manner can help to re-awaken the power of Jesus' prayer blueprint. It gives an indication of who we are, what our relationship with God is, and how we are all linked in a common bond through Jesus Christ.

Reflection and action are married together in it. The fact that we pray as we forgive those who trespass against us brings the active dimension of faith into play. The prayer we make is one which requires action. After all, how can we expect to be forgiven if we are not people who forgive? The aspects of prayer which we perceive ion the Our Father can help us explore ways of praying. Maybe we can focus on the element of praise in our prayer at times, letting the petition or asking prayers aside for a while. The richness of two thousand years of Christian prayer tradition is overwhelming. Hymns, poems, reflections, meditation practices are many and varied. Take time to explore them so that the time taken with God can be even more fulfilling and enriching.

 

 

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

18th July 2004

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

 

Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. Martha welcomed Jesus into her home, offering her hospitality to him. Like all hosts she did her utmost for her guest, providing for his needs. So much so that she was distracted by all the serving. Mary sat at the feet of the Lord listening to his every word. And Martha was frustrated by the experience. Obviously she had hoped to able to listen to the one she had invited. Her wish was to sit at his feet too I think. But maybe like a lot of us the distraction of other things took her mind off the really important aspect of the situation. The presence of another was central. Sometimes when we offer our hospitality we get a little carried away with how that hospitality is presented and forget the core of the visit. The person comes to visit people not fine foods and bone china. The distraction of making a good impression can lead to misguided activity and a lack of presence to the kernel of visitation. We often end up tired after visitors, not because of their presence but because of the worry and anxiety we allow build up around the trappings. It is a good example for life. We end up worrying about small things or about things which are completely outside or control, wasting time and energy on trying to solve the insolvable or make sense of the senseless. Jesus points this out to Martha - few are needed, indeed only one. He doesn't outline what the one thing is but in the context of the passage we can make a good stab at a guess.

Mary had chosen the better part - sitting and listening to the word of God. The better place is the place we are called to be. Time and effort to listen to the word of God is the one thing which we should fret about. Jesus, in a very simple way, raises the stakes. He moves from the material to the spiritual in one move - the few things necessary for material sustenance to the one thing necessary for spiritual development.

In order to know what God wants of us we need to listen to his word, we need to listen to his voice speaking to us. Prayer, communication with God, is a two way process. We cannot do all the talking. It is important that we take time "to sit at his feet" and listen to what he has to say. Jesus gave us example in the time of his public ministry. He took time out to pray to his Father in heaven. If the Lord needed it then so do we. And it is important to take time out for it. It is a question of giving undivided attention to the Lord, leaving the fretful side of living behind and opening our hearts to him so that he can speak and encourage and guide us. Yes we can pray as we work but we also need the quietness of silent reflection without distraction. It is necessary so that the Lord gets the attention rightful to any guest or friend. True hospitality in prayer is total self-giving of the host at the feet of the guest, the Lord.

 

 

15th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

11th July, 2004

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

 

In ordinary circumstances today, with a car or a bus available, travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho is quite a straightforward journey. The two aren't very far apart and there is a great highway linking them. It is a quick journey and there is no semblance of difficulty to it at all.
There is a significant drop in altitude between Jerusalem and Jericho so when Jesus says that there was once a man who was on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho he was speaking quite literally. It is a noticeable decline. The road is also running through a desolate area. It is bounded by desert. So for anyone travelling down that road in the time of Jesus it would have been a difficult and imposing journey especially alone. The story of the Good Samaritan is outlined with the geographical reality in mind. It is true to the circumstances of the time and it wouldn't be difficult to see how it was a road where many travellers would be attacked for their belongings and left for dead. Immediately on hearing the opening lines of the parable the original audience would have been able to picture the scene and as the parable unfolded would have understood the gravity of the situation and the rawness of the message. Coupled with the Jewish dislike of the Samaritans and it makes for a powerful portrait of true love of neighbour.
The second great commandment calls us to love our neighbour. Who is my neighbour Jesus was asked? Basically his answer is everyone - especially those who are in need. The two great commandments are precisely that, great, because of their all-encompassing scope. Every single relationship which we are in, no matter how small, fleeting, or seemingly insignificant, opens us to the possibility of love. The Samaritan traveller did everything he possibly could for a man he didn't know, for the man in need of his help. The only level of relationship which they shared in the eyes of the world was that of being travellers on the same road.
In the eyes of Jesus the level of relationship which we all share is one of travellers on the same road. The pilgrim journey is shared by us all. We are all on the road to the kingdom. Along that road some will be waylaid and will be in need of help. Those neighbours need the help of their fellow pilgrims. All of us are called to be good Samaritans, and more likely than not, we are all called to fulfil that role in some way every day of our lives. The message of the Gospel, which has the great commandments of love at its centre is that we must always live that role, the role of the helper, at all times. We cannot pick and choose. If the situation comes before us we are duty-bound to respond. It is the duty which arises out of love for God and which is truly fulfilled in the caring attitude which we share and develop in the tending to the need s of others.

 

 

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

4th July 2004

 

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

The 4th of July. For Americans, Independence Day. The beginning of the American Dream. Freedom and equality are seen as cornerstones of that dream yet in the history of the States and in the social structures which exist there one wonders how close to becoming reality is the great American dream for those who live in the USA. It is seen as the last of the superpowers but is that its boast or is it a cross for it to bear? Texans are often lampooned as a people who claim to have the biggest when it comes to everything. The boast of wealth and resources. However, in today's second reading St. Paul tells us that for him it is out of the question that I should boast at all, except of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through -whom the -world has been crucified to me; and I to the -world. The one thing in which we can boast is something which was considered a scandal by Paul's contemporaries who failed to see the reality of Christ's presence as being God revealed. The only boast for us is that Jesus was willing to endure the ultimate suffering in order to redeem and save us. The only boast is in a complete outpouring of self by Jesus for the sake of humanity. Altruism of the highest order - no greater love is there than a man laying down his life for his friends. There is no dream - there is a reality. The reality of unconditional love which God has for his creation; a love which we cannot buy no matter what resources we have. A love which draws us into the foundation of creation and existence - a love which is the only true 'superpower' because it is always looking to the other and prepared to give for the other.

The 4th of July. The Feast of St. Elizabeth of Portugal. A woman who gave of her time and energy for the sake of others even though in her own life as a privileged woman, queen of Portugal, she endured much personal suffering. The focus of her mind's eye was the loving Saviour who gave her the strength to endure and overcome adversity. Her boast was not in the power of the crown or the riches of her jewels but in the poverty of the cross and self-surrender to Jesus Christ. In serving him through his people she believed that the true riches and freedom of life were to be attained. Dedication in service is the response to the cross. Dedication to those in need is the true boast of the cross as realised in our own lives. As we said last week the fulfilment of Christian duty is to lay one's hand to the plough and not look back. She didn't.

May all who celebrate the 4th of July in any way remember that the great dream is the fulfilment of the kingdom. The greatness of that dream is that it is promised as a reality to all. It depends not on circumstances, political affiliation, colour, or business acumen but on a loving response to the Lord of freedom and equality, Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

13™ SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

27th June 2004

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

"Now it happened that as the time drew near for him to be taken up, he resolutely turned his face towards Jerusalem..."
Jesus was aware of what had to be done, what he had to endure. Even that awareness did not shake him from the path which was set out. He turned his face towards Jerusalem, Luke tells us. His attention was focused on what was to be done. The word resolutely speaks of an internal attitude. Nothing was going to stop him. His mind and heart were ready to face what had to be faced. Being resolute is something which we have to be in a lot of ways. Decisions which have to be made require fortitude for their execution. Not only in relation to faith matters but also regarding the simple things of life.
I remember a niece of mine when she was younger was a regular at Irish dancing classes. She had talent in the area. But after a while other things captured her imagination and she decided to give it up. To be successful in the dancing required much practice. Maybe she hadn't the fortitude, the resoluteness to push onwards in the way necessary in order to excel and because of that other things which were less demanding took her attention.
In the light of Jesus Christ we see that to live the Christian calling requires strength. Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of heaven. It is a tough call. Fortitude is required to see it through. The ability to live the Christian life is one which is dependent on the Spirit of God working through and for us. It is with the gifts of the Spirit that we are enabled to face towards the questions of our lives and times and put them into perspective. Seeing the reality of Jesus Christ as more valuable than the treasures of this world calls for strength of heart and mind because the pleasure of this world is sop tangible while the pearl of great price, which is the Kingdom, can seem so distant. What we often lose sight of is the fact that by living the Christian way we bring a glimpse of that Kingdom to this world. The brightness of the heaven illuminates a corner of the world when the Beatitudes of Christ are actualised by us.
"Your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom" - maybe the key word here is duty. We all like to speak of rights and privileges. It is more difficult to focus on responsibilities and duties. Yet we all have duties and they have to be fulfilled for the proper order of society. It is the same in relation to faith. We have duties there too: the duty to grow in relationship with God; the duty to inform ourselves about our faith; the duty to share it with those in our care and with our neighbours; the duty to put Christ and his teachings first no matter what the consequences; the duty to live what is right and good at all times; the duty to stand up for those who are oppressed; the duty to look for peace and justice whatever the cost It is a tough call but one which has its rewards.

 

 

12th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Fr. John Ryan C.C.

On an ordinary June Wednesday afternoon at about 4.00 there were hundreds of people milling about the Coliseum. The famous cats of Rome were lazing in the shade, keeping well away from the sun; some Italians were dressed as Roman soldiers or emperors, willing to pose for pictures at €5 a go, some people were sitting down taking advantage of any possible spot to rest weary feet after a day of touring the city; guided tours were in progress; history was being re-told - when the Coliseum was built, under which Emperor, the type of stone used, the forms of architecture to be seen, how may it could hold (50,000 and it could empty in 5 minutes), what type of events too place there for the entertain of the Roman public. It was a typical day at the Coliseum.
There is one evening every year which sees it differently. Every Good Friday the Holy Father leads the Stations of the Cross there and recalls the passion of Christ and the redemption of humanity through Jesus' death. Also remembered are the many early Christians who gave their lives in the Coliseum at he hands of gladiators or in the mouth of wild beasts because they dared to profess faith in Jesus Christ during times of persecution. On that evening the reality of what took place in the Coliseum from the Christian perspective is brought to the fore. It is said that those who were martyred there suffered either in silence or with hymns of praise to God on their lips. Strong and firm in faith to the end they embraced their fate and went forward to witness to the Gospel of Christ and his suffering, death and resurrection.
Today Jesus asks his disciples "Who do you say I am?" It is Peter who replies "The Christ of God". Peter, who was to die a martyr's death in the Circus of Nero acknowledges the reality of Christ's person. The anointed one of God - the Messiah. Those who died in the Coliseum acknowledged the same person in the same way and were willing to give all for him even their very lives. They suffered - they carried the cross of persecution - but in losing their lives they were saved and now pray for us and with us in the presence of God.
In our trials and sufferings we are called to recognise the saving presence of Christ who is the one who gives life to us all and bears us along the path of suffering, our own Via Dolorosa, while offering that suffering to him as a sacrifice of praise, acknowledging his name and our thirst for him. When we are asked to carry the cross, in whatever shape or size that it may be, may we follow the example of the martyrs and put all our trust in the only one who gives life to the full. May we so grow in faith that our prayer and wish in good times and in bad may always be "For you my soul is thirsting, O God my God".

 

 

Corpus Christi

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

It is
First by the Incarnation
And next by the Eucharist
That Christ organizes us for himself
And imposes himself upon us.
By his Incarnation
He inserted himself not just into humanity
But into the universe which supports humanity.

In the above Pierre Teilhard de Chardin captures a vivid image of what is celebrated today in the Feast of Corpus Christi. Christ inserted into the world - Jesus, the bread of life present in the sacrament of the Eucharist - remains with us for ever. The presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is the total focus of this feast. We are asked to focus all our thoughts on the miracle of the real presence of Jesus Christ. It is not bread and wine we receive but the body and blood of Jesus himself as he promised us at the last Supper - this is my body, this is my blood. I am the bread of life - he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood will never die. The very fact that Christ becomes present on the altar should be the cause of our joy and the reason why we come to celebrate the community recognition of the Saviour. It isn't for the entertainment value but for the total commitment of our lives to the Lord who is with us until the end of time. In receiving his body and blood we welcome him into our very being, calling on him to organize us and order our very existence in the light of his gospel.
The whole world is blessed by the presence of Christ in it. Jesus is Lord of all, the universal King who in creation has given the necessities of life to us. As stewards of his creation we are called to respect the world around us, developing and using it for the common good while always being aware that we are merely stewards and not masters.
Carrying the Eucharist, Jesus, through Freemount this evening, is an acknowledgement of our faith in the one who died for us, a testimony to our belief in the eucharistic presence and a witness to our understanding that our entire lives are dependent on God and his goodness to us. It sanctifies the universe which supports humanity. It makes sacred the corner of the universe which is entrusted to us. Our place, our community is dedicated to the person of Jesus as he passes by our homes and as we pray for his protection and help.
The tradition of processing with the Lord and offering prayer is one which has lost some support. This year let as many of us as possible walk with the Lord through the village of Freemount asking him to look lovingly on our parish and strengthen each one us in the life of faith. We ask the Lord to protect our homes, our families, neighbours and friends. May the light of his word fill our minds and the grace of communion strengthen our faith so that what we profess in words will be made real in action. As Jesus supports humanity may we support each other and encourage each other to be Church, the People of God, a living sacrifice of praise.

O Sacrament most holy
O Sacrament divine
All praise and all thanksgiving
Be every moment thine.

 

 

The Holy Trinity

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

Every time we begin to pray we bless ourselves - In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. We say truly I believe in God, one and three, and all that comes after that introduction is done and said in the light of the basic expression of faith in the Trinity. The deposit of faith is full of mystery - situations and ideas placed before us which we are asked to believe in without having a fundamental rational explanation. Too often, however, the word mystery attached to a thought is used as an excuse to run away from explaining what it is we are called to believe. Mystery should not be a catch phrase to help escape from explaining, but should be a springboard for delving into the depths of faith and hope which comes to us from Christ. Mystery is something which is unfathomable but not inexplicable. It allows our imagination to link with reason and thus open up a rich tapestry of understanding which can draw us into the reality which is God. Tradition has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity to the Irish. Mystery was opened up through the reality of nature. St. Augustine draws on our understanding of love to explain the mystery of Trinity and so helps us to bring our experiences into play in order to grasp something of the divine. He says that there are three in the Trinity - the lover, the beloved and the love itself. The Father is the lover who gives himself to the Son, Christ, the Son, is the beloved, the perfect response to the Father's love, and the Holy Spirit is the bond of their love. We know what it is like to love and be loved, we know what love is and can be. Thus Augustine sees God, one in three as bound up in love. God is the perfection of something which we experience and so from our own experience we can grasp an idea of the divine. The key to understanding is the person of Jesus Christ who comes to reveal God to us. His response in love to the people he dealt with during his time on earth is the lived reality of God's love for us. It finds its culmination on the cross - the total self-giving for others which is the essence of divine love and the image of love which we are called to live. For the German thinker Immanuel Kant, there are no practical consequences arising from our belief in the Trinity. If we see St. Augustine's image as a model of Trinitarian life then the practical consequences are immense. It means that we are asked to live radical love-filled lives always being ready to lay down one's life for our friends. The Trinity is the ideal community - a dynamic, loving reality and the Christian community is called to mirror that dynamism. The mystery of Trinity then becomes the mystery of community and we all live in community, not in isolation. The triune God is the God of love, justice and forgiveness as revealed by Jesus Christ. The Christian community, to be truly Christian, has to live in love, acting justly and bringing forgiveness. It puts a whole new dimension to life. We no longer simply do things to improve the community's conditions - we must first of all be for each other, allowing the love of God to touch the lives of all, bringing healing to old and new wounds, and then the activities become love-filled and joyous moments of togetherness where the spiritual and the social become one and the same.

 

 

 

 

The Feast of Pentecost

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

 

In John's Gospel we see Jesus Christ preparing the disciples for what is to come. He is to leave them but that is necessary otherwise the Advocate will not come. The spirit of God is to be sent to them to help them and encourage them in all they do and say. He will help them remember and understand all that he has said.
The feast of Pentecost sees the fulfilment of the promise made. The Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire descends on those gathered in the Upper Room. And their lives are transformed. The zeal and courage of the Spirit fills their hearts, mind sand souls and the response to leave the room and fearlessly preach the gospel of Christ risen opening up the reality of salvation to those who listen to them. Language proves no barrier, nationality makes no difference - all who hear them speak understand. The Spirit opens up possibilities and makes them reality. The potential which Christ recognised in his apostles becomes realised through the Spirit and those who ran on Good Friday are now the ones who stand tall in Jerusalem and give witness to the Lord who has risen from the dead. There is no fear. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, still, and trust in me. Jesus' wish for the disciples is realised here - no fear, just spiritedness is seen in those who have been blessed with grace of Pentecost.
We too have received that Spirit. Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation Day is our own personal Pentecost when the Spirit fills us with his courage, zeal and wonder. It is given to us once - but forever. Nothing can take it from us. We are confirmed once and for all. It is an ongoing experience. The Spirit dwells within us and works within us prompting and encouraging. There are times when we do not listen but the Spirit is there always 'whispering'. St. Paul tells us that if we cannot pray the Spirit will pray for us. Even in the darkest hours the Spirit is there supporting us in our distress and keeping us connected to the Father and the Son.
The older generation will remember the description attached to the sacrament - we become soldiers of Christ. This description of the confirmed Catholic is rarely used now - it was attached to an image or model of Church rarely used now. However it does capture something of the call to action which comes with the gift of the Spirit. We are called to act on behalf of Christ and for him - maybe not in a militant fashion but definitely in a determined, zealous way, firmly convinced of his love for all mankind. It should drive us to mirror the Good Shepherd who will not stop until the lost sheep is found. Truly, the need for us to live as people of Pentecost is even more crucial in the face of the present crisis of faith. We need to ask ourselves what the Spirit is saying in our hearts. We need to listen to the Spirit's voice prompting us. We need to read the signs of the times and act accordingly. Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son or daughter of God - we need to allow the Spirit move us so that we can live life in filial obedience to the God who has made us in his image and likeness and has entrusted us with the message that he loves us so much that he gave his only Son that we might have salvation.

 

Feast of the Ascension

 

Fr. John Ryan, C.C.

 

When we examine the concerns of today regarding faith and society and when we try to come to an understanding of what can be done to 'resuscitate' the faith, different approaches can be taken. We can focus on 'the problems' and try to find solutions; we cam look at the mysteries and try to 'de-mystify' them; we can hearken back to the good old days and become lost in nostalgia; or we can strip away all the baggage and try to get to the kernel of the situation we face. Back to basics is one way of stating it. What are the basics? No doubt, even trying to arrive at those would see much debate. In fact some of the alternatives listed above would still feature in the discussion. What do I think the basics are?

Well, I think we need to look at what Christ says to his disciples before he ascends to the Father. The final paragraph of Matthew's gospel looks forward to the work which must be done after Jesus has ascended. All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. It is the work of the Community of believers which is focused on here. Jesus Christ is the fountain of all authority and our response to that is to live what he has commanded bringing the mission of the spreading of the kingdom wherever we go. It is something personal. In the rite of Baptism , the sacrament is given personally - the name of the individual being baptised is spoken first; John I baptize you or Mary I baptize you.. We are directly linked to the Father, Son and Spirit following the mandate of Jesus the Risen Lord. Jesus Christ, the New Man (Gaudium et Spes 22), renews the relationship we have with God. His ascension brings to fruition the glorification of humanity. The disciples are given the mandate to bring that glorious good news to the world.

The basics therefore include the reality of Jesus as centre, the message of Christ is good news, it is something which should evoke joy and happiness, and it is personal - we are called by name. Jim Corkery writes in an article entitled Does Technology Squeeze out Transcendence - or What?:
People are seeing now - in the case of the Church, for example - that it is less the what than the how that is wrong. The how has become so bureaucratic, so rationalised, so impersonal, so cold. People are met as quantities, as consumers, even as victims (when these are met); but they are not often met as persons. They are handled, and processed, sent to the relevant departments, managed, controlled - but not greatly appreciated, listened to, or loved.
Jesus dealt with persons - he appreciated, listened to and loved them. He appreciates, listens to and loves us. That is the beginning point for us. We need to recapture the sense of person - the sense of emotion - the sense of love which has been lost to the fast, commodity saturated, profit -interested world. People matter not profits. We interact with subjects not objects to be used and manipulated for our own desires and ego-building. The person of Christ is with us always until the close of the age. His person - with us, his people, all called by name.

 

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Fr. John Ryan C.C.

 

In the light of present circumstances is it time that we resuscitated the Ireland of the saints and scholars and support the efforts to include the Christian background of Europe while making a concrete effort to re-evangelise our own country, opening up discussion and reflection on the faith which we profess, ever-deepening the understanding of the mysteries of our salvation through Jesus Christ?

The above sentence is taken from last week's reflection. It was a question posed and not answered. It is time to make that concrete effort. The need for something beyond this world and its trappings is to be seen in so many different ways. The constant search for meaning and the experimentation with different forms of spirituality highlight the fact that there is a deep-rooted spiritual yearning in the hearts of many. There are many 'alternative' expressions of the need for quietness and stillness in order to get in touch with something deep within us; their numbers are ever-growing. Yet in the traditions and heritage of Christianity we have long-standing methods which for some reason have been neglected in the greater scheme of things. The tradition of meditation and contemplation, the search for inner stillness, has been part of Christian spirituality for many centuries. The presence of the Desert Fathers and the writings which have been passed down to us attest to the presence of a strong emphasis on this as far back as the 2nd century. The example of going to the lonely place to pray and make contact with God is given to us by Christ himself. We need to speak of it and practice it.
The Word of God must become our source of inspiration for daily living - seeing the example of Christ as the template for all our actions and deeds. It is a challenging proposition but only when we begin to see that the treasure stored up in heaven is more valuable than any earthly treasure will the yearning for the divine be watered and nourished. Trying to live that brings challenge to us - the challenge of changing lifestyles, the challenge of different priorities, the challenge of placing the beatitudes before the sound bytes of individualism. But surely if the message is worthwhile the challenge can be faced?
We can be too quick to look at faith issues and dismiss them because they are 'mysterious'. The mystery of the Christian faith is not that there are no answers or solutions, rather, it is that the answers are not dependent on our intellect to work out. In this morning's Gospel Christ promises that the Advocate will come - the helper, the Holy Spirit