SÉAMUS AHEARNE: MORE LITTLE SNIPPETS OF HALF THOUGHTS
The Heron; the Weeping Willow; the Colouring Leaves; Winter.
It was raining this morning. This is contradictory – it was brighter than usual. I could see the pond on the Tolka. The Heron came out and stood to attention, as if in greeting. It was stretched to its full length and height. My morning was made special. We didn’t talk. Our communication is simple and profound. It doesn’t need words. And there side by side with the Heron, was my favourite tree – the Weeping Willow. There were real tears falling from the branches. (It was raining!) I wondered. Is the tree lonely as the leaves begin to change colour and fall? I will miss those speaking branches and fluttering leaves. Winter has a different vocabulary. The splash of the Northern lights (or an equivalent) is almost cheating and deceptive. We become impressed and delighted at the colours of the leaves, almost forgetting that it is only a theatrical performance on the catwalk of life, before the nakedness of winter appears. I prefer my companions of the morning to speak a language that is more familiar. When the trees are fully dressed. I don’t like the barrenness of the winter months.
A Prayer Breakfast or Luncheon with the The Donald:
One of my regular readers in the US, has suggested that I dip into the words of Msgr. Arthur Holquin, a retired priest of Orange Country Diocese. We had the pastoral care of a Parish in Orange Country for a long time (St Pius V in Buena Park) which helped me to focus on what a Priest of the Diocese might have to say. Arthur Holquin has been ‘mentioned in dispatches’ on the ACP website a number of times. Most recently, he was rather outspoken on that Easter Prayer luncheon with President Trump. (‘When Silence becomes a statement.’) Arthur wasn’t impressed. He was particularly upset at the presence of Bishop Robert Barron (a much admired speaker and writer).
Fr Holquin couldn’t understand or accept, how such a man, such a priest, such a bishop, could sit around in Prayer, and in support of what Trump was saying and is doing. Maybe Robert was hoping to encourage the Donald, as he continues to sort out eight wars and he might have been also praying that Trump might get the Nobel Peace Prize. Poor Donald was ever so emotional at the fact and outrage that Navi Pillay got it. That snub was an ‘indelible stain on Norway.’ (According to President Trump.) He must have been so shattered that he even called off the online public execution of Nidal Hasan. Why were those praying ministers pander to that ridiculous man? Why do so many fawn over him?
Pope Leo – Robert Prevost:
Pope Leo made the announcement at his Sunday broadcast of the need for a probe into his lungs. He went into hospital. He had the operation. We await the news of his progress. There was a consistency in the commentary around Pope Bob. Pope Bob Prevost has been a standout leader in our confused and confusing world. He has something to say. He says it well. He is calm. He listens. He is never dragged into spontaneity or throwaway comments. He stands back and offers a view that is bigger than the immediate. Yes. There appeared to be a sense of loss (across the world); a sense of sadness; a sense of fear; a sense of a need to keep this man around. It seems that he is due to speak again at the Sunday broadcast at the weekend. He does wish to make his South American trip. That will depend on what the medics have to say. Dare we say this? Our world needs Pope Leo.
Firebombing in Waterford:
My home county was in the news this week-Waterford. Kim, Philip, Jayden and Callum are dead. Their home in Birchwood Estate was firebombed. Two other children are in hospital. How is it possible for anyone ever to do something like that to a home? To a family? Drugs are a curse. Drug debts are cruel. This killing highlights the cruelty and devastation which drugs cause families. Big debts are accumulated. If money is owed; the threat is always there – go for the family; go for the relatives; go for the soft targets. That happens all the time. Many families don’t just deal with addiction and the addict, but they become collateral in the demand for payment. What are the usual threats? Windows will be put in. The house will be burned down. Guns will appear. That is regular and that is normal. The Gardaí are kept out of the argument. If word might be shared with the Gardaí; further threats are made. There are multiple fears. What can be done?
The Addict; Addiction; Drug debts:
I always recall what a Franciscan Priest told us at a meeting here in Finglas. He came from Merchant’s Quay and worked in that centre. He was on his way out to Columbia. Here is the gist of his words: ‘An addict knows exactly what (s)he is going to do for the day. There is a sharp focus. From the moment the addict wakes up, (s)he has only one thing in the mind: Where do I get a fix? Where do I get money for that fix? Nothing else matters. No one else matters. Mother. Father. Partner. Wife. Husband. Child. Nothing is important. No other thought is needed for the mind. That is the mindset. The suppliers will readily provide, until the needing one is in over their head. The pay-off has to happen. That is where family or near-ones will be used.
Seamus Ahearne osa