In the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves in Irish society today, is it any wonder that the message of Scripture as we hear it in this weekend’s readings makes so much sense! Of course the challenge and the ideal that these readings present to us are difficult to realise in any circumstances, but our success, in this regard, is not measured simply by our achievement – rather by our willingness ‘to try’ – and ‘to try’ again if we have to! – and even again, as invariably each of us do!
In terms of trying to get across a conviction or a direction for what could be best for Irish life at this time, those who preach from either the pulpit of State! or Church! could be profitably reminded of the following verse;
I’d rather see a Sermon
than hear one any day
I’d rather someone walk with me
than merely show the way.
The best of all the preachers
are the ones who live their creeds
For to see good put into action
is what everybody needs.
So back to this week’s readings in the light of that! I guess that maybe we’ve all become too familiar with the word ‘love’, so much so that when we read it again in today’s account from John, we kinda think we have heard it all before – so what’s new?
If ever the day comes when the notion of love as portrayed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is too easily accepted, or too easily rejected, we’ve arrived at a sad point in our lives; a terminus so to speak, from which we’ll never go much further! And at that stage, we’re really only up a siding, if the truth be told – but haven’t the wit to realise it.
‘If I knew then what I know now’ is the great catch-cry of everyone who considers themselves to be wiser to-day than they were yesterday. What a pity if we have to sing that tune all our life through! How sad is it to always have to imagine or hope that things will probably get better; but not actively ‘doing’ anything personally to try and ensure that they will.
It’s the classic challenge of ‘practicing what we preach’, actively pursuing that for which we long and genuinely trying to experience the real meaning and purpose of life in the experience of love. And let’s not forget where that offer lies for those who call ourselves Christians.
A O’N
P.S Couldn’t we be forgiven in the present climate for thinking, that in the Ireland of today, that there is “standing-room-only” left on the moral high ground!