‘Summer 2012’ will be remembered by so many for the remarkable displays of achievement and success in the London Olympics. This of course was followed by the added courageous and determined displays of endurance at the Paralympics. These were a very powerful witness of an indomitable human spirit. But of all the photo pics of people with severe challenge that we saw at the games – it was the picture of those determined, disabled Irish Citizens who ‘camped out’ over night in front of Dáil Eireann during the week, that did it for me.
Apart altogether for being largely responsible in ‘pushing’ decision-makers over the edge of a U-turn, (in itself a feat of Olympian proportion) the witness of seeing and listening to their absolute and sheer determination was edifying. Whenever you witness something extraordinary up close and personal (as they say these days) it makes a powerful impact.
That must surely have been the case that day that is described in this week-end’s Gospel. A real encounter with the Lord had this disabled person see, like he never saw before, had him speak as he, quite literally, never spoke before. You can be sure this didn’t take place, nor did Mark record it, just to marvel at the moment! The obvious deeper meaning and significance oughtn’t to be lost on any congregation this week-end – here or elsewhere.
For a number of us from St Brigid’s, we’ll be in Lourdes over this week-end, and you can be sure we’ll be surrounded there too, by so many others whose hurt or whose disability (visible or invisible) will be very much in focus as all of us listen to the same Gospel over there.
That huge question of Challenge and Courage, of Faith and Hope, of Laughter and Tears, of Praying and Healing, of Help and Support, of Respect and Dignity, all plait together in that very special place to make Lourdes the experience for everyone, that they’d love to be able to take home with them. It raises the question that today’s Gospel also addresses: what is the relationship, if any, between Faith and need (of any kind).
What is it that we hope for when we pray at any time? – but especially at times of great distress. With that in mind we remember David Greene and David Byas and their families in our prayers over the course of this week-end.
A O’N