Séamus Ahearne: THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN MY LIFETIME HAS BEEN THE EVAPORATION OF THE TRANSCENDENT (Seamus Heaney)                                                              

NO COMMENT!

I think our ACP site would now qualify for a place in any Garda Station where an interrogation was taking place: ‘No Comment.’ There has been a real consistency for some time. I was watching and even hoping that this predicable flow wasn’t broken!   Pete Seeger’s song: ‘Where have all the flowers gone, the girls gone; the boys gone; the soldiers gone?’ Almost applies. I know this was an anti-war song. But I want to add to the song: Where have all the commentators gone? Where have all the writers gone? Where have all the usual suspects gone? Where have all the priests gone? Has a long silence descended on the priestly office? Many years ago, one of our ancient priests used to comment on the young ones: “Talks a lot; says nothing.” Maybe none of us have anything to say. But the business of Christ and Gospel – is News. Real and Good News.

GISELE PELICOT:

Gisele Pelicot is a heroine of our times. She shone light on abuse in a very local and ordinary situation. How could so many men find satisfaction in raping an inert woman? How is that possible? And this husband, father and grandfather, seemingly was happy ‘using’ his wife for his own sexual exhilaration. At least he was meticulous in his excitement. He noted everything. It surely means that it wasn’t only the church that was confused and confusing in regards to sexuality. Justin Welby is in trouble because of what he didn’t do, or because a scapegoat is necessary. Archbishop Stephen Cottrell (who supposedly was due to take over on a temporary basis) is also unlikely to be able to take on the role. It isn’t just the Catholic Church or Media personalities that have problems. It is widespread. Pornography appears to a major player in the sexual jungle. Matt Gaetz was nominated to Attorney General by Donal Trump. He opted out (by necessity). The more recent Report from Congress showed good reason why this man was totally unsuitable to be the top Law Person for the country. However he was nominated by the President Elect, who has been found guilty of sexual assault on E Jean Carroll. Trump has been found guilty of paying off Stormy Daniels and fabricating his tax returns. He hasn’t as yet been charged with election interference in Georgia or for his incitement to riot at the Capitol. How is it ever possible for the Americans to elect such a man? What does it all say about morality?  Who can ever trust the American people in anything? 

NOTRE DAME:

A little thought for Christmas: Emmanuel Macron was at Notre Dame de Paris for the re-opening of the Cathedral. After 5 years of reconstruction, this beautiful celebration of history and faith was revealed to the world. What was the statement being made? That it could be done and was. That this place of wonder had to be exhibited despite the cost. That somehow the secular world and the world of faith could be in communion together. That the word ‘transcendence’ could be used by Macron. That this new building could surpass the old (dirty one) and now could lift the spirits. That God had to be celebrated even if many felt a reluctance. That there is something and someone ‘more’ that is ‘the beyond’ in our midst. God is among us.

THE DORGAN CLAN:

The Dorgan family were on the Brendan O’Connor Show (14^th December). They spoke of their brother Pat who had died. Pat was a Downs person. The family spoke with love and affection. They were inspirational. Theo (poet and writer and partner with our local poet Paula Meehan) was total in his praise of his siblings. They were there. They did all the work. He was away. But it was the love that came across. It was respect. It was never a sense of duty. They saw Pat as a unique human being with his own independent ways. They were hilarious in the description of his competitiveness in table tennis and his achievements. He was seldom awkward but when it came to the Umpires, everything changed. The family was magnificent and showed what matters and who matters.

STRICTLY COME DANCING:

Chris McCausland with his professional partner Dianne Buswell won Strictly Come Dancing this year. Tasha Ghouri with her professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec were probably the best dancers. Rose Ayling Ellis with her professional partner Giovanni Pernice won back in 2021. Chris is blind. Tasha has a cochlear implant. Rose is profoundly deaf. I know nothing about dancing or music and wish I had the knowledge. I didn’t see Strictly but had the odd peep in. But I simply delight in the stories of these three dancers. How was it possible that the blind and the deaf could achieve so much? It seems like Isaiah talking to us! Like for Pat (above and a Downs);  Irenaeus got it right. The glory of God is wo(man) fully alive. And they were. How can any of us ever shout about our inadequacies?

A FLOWER AND LIFE IS SIMPLE:

There is a little flower out in the garden at my back door. This is a garden which is given free rein. It is wild. But the little flower smiles on. We wink at each other every day. It is like God beckoning to me every morning ,and telling me to be alert to the wonder and beauty of the ordinary, in each day. I thought of it too, when I was doing a double funeral during the week (father and son) and then another one – a much loved sister. The families described Tony and then described Essie as being very simple. What they meant was: Tony and Essie never asked for anything for themselves. They were happy when everyone was happy. Life was simple. Family was around. There was a laugh. They smiled. They cared. Nothing was a problem. Every day brought something different but everyone was around for everyday. Life was a blessing. It was simple. Like my little flower smiling;  it is the little things. It is the small talk. It is the gestures of humanity that matters. The rest is packaging.     Christmas is our effort to catch the miracle of God, and the birth of Christ, in every place and every moment and every person. What else can we do but say thank you.   Our own little lives are our Notre Dame.

Seamus Ahearne osa

24^th December 24