Fr Vincent Sherlock
It was one of those celebrity interviews. The interviewee was speaking about social media, his own use of it and value it has for him. He spoke too about the fears he has in maybe mistakenly using it and sending out a message that might be stupid, insensitive, mis-judged or hurtful. He went on to say his parents are alive and he dreads the thought of ever saying or doing anything that might cause them hurt or embarrassment.
The interviewer enquired if this was linked with guilt and I’m not sure if the guest had a chance to respond before the ‘host’ chided: “You should try being an Irish Catholic”!
I wanted to scream but nobody would have heard me.
This paper is called The Irish Catholic and maybe we could do worse than reflect a little on how potentially wonderful it is to be either, never mind both.
Kind-hearted
To be Irish is in many ways a blessing. Generally, we are perceived to be kind-hearted and good-natured. Where there is crisis in the world, we have been known to be generous in response to appeals for help and, more often than not, some of our own are found in the midst of whatever rescue and recovery work is taking place. We are good-humoured and have an ability to laugh when it might be easier and more understandable to cry.
Though a relatively small nation, we are globally recognised as ‘decent people’. There’s a lot to be proud of in being Irish. Of course, like all humanity, we are open to chinks and flaws but, all things considered, being Irish is a very good thing and a badge we can wear with honour.
Universal
Catholic? Not a bad badge either! At its best and most basic, it speaks to the universal and to being willing to go beyond boundaries that may well seek to fence us in. I love the name of the charity that sees doctors bring medical assistance to the world’s most vulnerable and isolated: Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without borders).
Borders and divisions seem very small when viewed from space. Nanci Griffith’s song ‘From a Distance’ spoke of this. God watching us ‘from a distance’ because from that distance the world is at peace, people do not hurt or mistrust each other and we are seen as friends. It is the way God intended and Catholics, alongside all denominations of faith and peoples of decent intent, have a place in working towards making peace real.
I like being Irish, being Catholic – an Irish Catholic. I’m happy to be both and whatever guilt I might feel is more to do with the mistakes I make, the opportunities to be better that I miss, the words I thoughtlessly speak than with the Church of my baptism or the country of my birth.
I didn’t scream but I switched channels! Within seconds I was singing along with Big Tom – “going out the same way we came in”!
The answer is found somewhere in conviction, struggle and seeking to understand that despite the ups and downs of our history, the errors of our ways, both as nation and Church, we are still blessed to be alive and to have in us a sense of purpose and value.
*****
LET US SMILE!
I got this in a WhatsApp message this week. Teacher: “Maria, go to the map and find North America”. She did. “Well done,” said the teacher “now class, who discovered “America?” As one, the class answered: “Maria.”
Teacher: “Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?” Donald replied: “H I J K L M N O”. “What are you talking about?” replied the teacher. “Yesterday you told us that the chemical formula for water is H to O.”
One more… Teacher: “Peter how to do you spell crocodile?” Peter replied: “K R O K O D I A L” “No”, the teacher replied, “that is wrong Peter.” “Well maybe it is, but you asked me how I spell it.”
*****
As Advent draws near
We have a few weeks to prepare for Christmas. These really should not be confused with ‘shopping days’ but maybe they could be ‘Stopping Days’!
John Healy once wrote of the decline of a town in the West in a book called No One Shouted Stop.
It was a wonderful title and message rooted in reality. Let us stop a little then, from time to time, in the weeks to come.
Stop to reflect, notice, pray, enjoy, share…stop to be…a people who can stop, reflect, notice, pray, enjoy and share.