Séamus Ahearne: “All our discontents about what we want, appeared to me, to spring from the want of thankfulness, for what we have.” ― Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe

Some days ago, two of us agreed – how lucky and blessed we were, in our politicians in Ireland. We were contrasting them with the American scene.

However on Wednesday, our view was shaken. The Trumpian like farce in the Dáil, scuttled our opinion. Well almost. We are still struggling to stay with our comment, even as the ‘children’ of the Dáil began to throw their toys out of the pram.

Trump desecrated the Capitol by pardoning those who had stormed the sacred headquarters of Government, in the US. Our TDs disrespected the Constitution as the Taoiseach was being proposed, and the Government was due to take office. They disrespected the Ceann Comhairle, which was crude and totally unacceptable. Such moments and these Offices deserve our attention and complete respect. Such occasions are bigger than ourselves. They stir the sacred meaning of a country and a people.

As Daniel Defoe wrote – ‘discontent does come from want of thankfulness.’  Any real sense of history, and the story of our country, should have made everyone humble and grateful on Wednesday. Thankfulness applies in Government. Thankfulness applies in life. Thankfulness applies in our Eucharist. There is a lack of civility floating about and it is dangerous.

I will bury a young man tomorrow who spent his life on drugs but recovered and escaped addiction five years ago. I was totally humbled to be with that family in their love and affection for him. There was no concern at what they had gone through. All they could say was that he was a gentleman; that he emerged from his addiction which they saw as a miracle. There was beauty in that family. They were exuberant with delight. There was wonderment in that family. There was love in that family. This is true gratitude. Some of that should have happened on Wednesday.

Seamus Ahearne osa     24^th January 2025.