Notebook
I once heard the comedian Ardal O’Hanlon say that he would love to have his own chat show and invite famous people to be his guests. The twist was that he would not talk to them about what they expected. He gave an example: “I’d love to have Neil Armstrong on and talk to him for a full hour, but never mention the Moon!”
Then he said: “Well, maybe with a minute to go, just mention it but then move on to something else before he got a chance to reply!” I thought it was funny and a clever take. So, I have decided this weekend not to mention Covid-19 – apart from that quick mention. Sure, in fairness, it’s not our guest anyway. We never wanted it.
Launch
I’m not going to mention the Moon either, but I am going to say something about space. I watched the launch of SpaceX on Saturday, having watched the attempted launch a few nights earlier. That launch was cancelled at the last minute because of bad weather. it reminded me of having to cancel Cemetery Masses in July or August for the same reason so I felt a certain empathy with them. I jest of course.
So much precision, planning and not to mention money, had gone into that launch and every detail was executed to the finest degree of accuracy but weather had its say and all was called off. Cancelling a Cemetery Mass or a parish event would certainly be an easier call, though disappointing too.
In any case, I watched again on Saturday night and all the planning, staged photo opportunities, commentary and analysis came down to those last ten seconds.
As SpaceX began its journey, the announcer continued: “Go SpaceX, go NASA…” and then “God speed, Bob and Doug.”
I have to say I found that moving. Millions of people tuned in all over the world and God’s blessing was called for. I wondered was it just a throw-away remark but still rejoiced that it had its place in this moment.
As these men headed into space at a speed that could reach 17,500 mph, there was no questioning their speed but that speed was put into God’s hands. It seemed so right. Within 15 minutes, for those with eyes to see, Bob and Doug’s trail could be seen over Irish skies. I was also moved to hear a phrase ‘notification Shannon’ as the SpaceX began its journey. A call out to Shannon Airport that in the event of anything going wrong at that second, the mission would be cancelled and SpaceX would land in the Atlantic off the west coast of Ireland and Shannon airport was on alert, to arrange and be part of rescue.
There is something about not being afraid to acknowledge God”
The world felt very small and it was comforting to believe God was watching over that world.
I mentioned this at Mass on Pentecost Sunday, about not being afraid to call on God in the public square or to witness to him in our conversations.
Recalling our Irish language with its repeated mention of God, even in every day phrases, there is something about not being afraid to acknowledge God. Since then, a friend in America who heard my homily via webcam, told me he too was moved and that the phrase goes back to 1962, when John Glenn became the first American to circumnavigate the Earth. Just before the 10-second countdown, the announcer said: “God speed, John Glenn.”
While the placement of the call for God’s blessing may have shifted, there was still something very right about its inclusion and the holding on to the sacredness of that piece of tradition.
In a word, ‘witness’.
***
Though I said I would not mention our uninvited guest, I think in these days after Pentecost, there is room to focus on some of the Spirit’s gifts.
It seems to me that we need ‘patience’ now and that to rush anything at this time could well be ill-judged.
‘Right judgement’ must have its voice too, alongside ‘reverence’ and ‘understanding’ all leading us to a place and time where we can express more fully ‘wonder and awe’ in God’s presence. We need to respect the gift of ‘judgement’ and take counsel and advice.
The Pentecost story led the disciples out of a locked room and onto their streets. Our journey, rooted in seeking the fullness of the Spirit’s gifts, seeks to bring us from our streets through locked doors and into the ‘borrowed room’ that is our parish church.
We look forward to that day of shared worship.
For now, in a word: patience.