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The Franciscans, through their founder, St. Francis of Assisi, carry on the Spirit of the monasteries. We are privileged to have them here with us in the community. Many people on the Pastoral Councils, Finance Committee and in other ministries were providentially prepared by membership of the 3rd Order of St. Francis with its motto of "going from Gospel to life and life to Gospel".
For over one hundred years, the Marist Brothers, L.S.U. Sisters and Mercy Sisters have made a very special contribution to the community through their apostolates of teaching, nursing, caring for the marginalised and involvement in different ministries. In the past thirty years they were joined by the Presentation Sisters who immediately became involved too.
As well, there are many great people and many small groups of great people doing heroic work in the many caring and need areas, Youth Ministry, Prayer Ministry, membership of the choirs and folk groups as well as ministry to new neighbours from many lands. In my time there were over 2,000 people working in a voluntary way. I'm sure there are a lot more now.
With fewer priests and religious we are a Church in transition, moving from one model of a Church to another in which lay people will play a greater role in pastoral matters. It's a whole new landscape. Here, yesterday evening 36 nationalities took part in the International Mass. It's all part of a wider picture characterised by huge movements of populations across the world. In recent years over two hundred million people moved within or between countries. The Catholic Church has always taken the words of Jesus to heart: "I was a stranger and you made me welcome".
It puts us in touch too with what Jesus says in today's Gospel: "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the son of man has no where to lay his head". That didn't mean, however, that Jesus walked alone. He had companions who actively participated in His mission; some like James and John- who weren't afraid even to make suggestions, and people who helped him; people with the generosity of Elisha in the First Reading following the Prophet Elijah and with the same true freedom mentioned by Paul in the Second Reading as well as the same firm resolve of Jesus himself going to Jerusalem. I like how it is expressed in the Gospel: "Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem."
Each of us must discern the Jerusalem, we must face in our own lives and pray for the inner strength to go there resolutely, whether we like it or not. That kind of commitment makes us free to be different, without being afraid and it brings its own peace and joy.
Responding to the basic needs of a fellow human being should take precedence over all other considerations. In our time that includes inclusion and creating opportunities for participation. Different things speak to us at different times. Remarks made at a meeting some months ago stay with me: "People don't remember what you say or what you do, but they will remember how you made them feel" and "wasting time with people will ensure that there are no outsiders".
I'm just thinking of what I can do in my own little patch but there are big issues to be faced by the leaders in society and in the Church, like infrastructure, employment, housing, schools and services.
The Ireland of the past is gradually losing its shine and we are rapidly moving into a new era in Church and State. There are two big influences shaping us. First of all; globalisation- the free movement worldwide of people, ideas, money and trade. Instead of being part of something because one was born into it, one is now part of something because one selects it.
The second big influence shaping us is economic growth. It has become central to what and who we have become. The values associated with this are market values. Having is a condition of self worth. Childhood has become commercialised. We now place a lower priority on teaching our children how to grow socially, intellectually and spiritually. But they were not born to buy or consume what they are fed with on TV or the internet. So, the real struggle now is with the gradual transfer of power from the family to other influences and agencies.
I was thinking about all of this last night and I was at a dead end. Then my mind wandered back to the National School nearly 60 years ago and my good friend in the seat with me struggling with a composition too and getting an elbow in the ribs with an urgent request 'give me a sentence' and then 'give me another sentence'. I was saying the same to the Lord. Then I thought of Pope John XXIII. Late one night, after he became Pope, he was in his oratory reflecting on some very difficult issues he had to deal with in the Church and they were getting him down. Then he said to himself: "Lord, its your Church, I'm going to bed". I did the same.
Finally, I would like to conclude with the Prayer from Morning Prayer which I read in the Breviary this morning:
Lord God,
Since by the adoption of grace,
you have made us children of light:
do not let false doctrine darken our minds,
but grant that your light may shine within us
and we may always live in the brightness of truth.
we make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen
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