SÉAMUS AHEARNE…the good, the bad and the unexpected…
THE UNUSUAL AND THE UNEXPECTED:
Mark O’Brien osa was Ordained on Saturday last, in St Augustine’s Limerick. Fearghal Caden and Adeel Abid will be Solemnly Professed in John’s Lane, Thomas Street on Saturday (15 August). Royston, Waqas, (of the Anglo-Scottish Province) and Henry from South America, have begun Novitiate in Clare Priory Suffolk (the first House of the Augustinians on these Islands – opened in 1248). Our prayer has to be that these younger ones – will be expansive in mind; rich in imagination and unlimited and humble in sharing the mystery of God. Ministry is a very serious adventure. No religious robots need apply or those who wish to run back to the past!
THE SHARED DELIGHT OF ACHIEVEMENTS:
Ellen Walshe got Gold in the 400m Medley. Mona McSharry got Silver in the 100m Beaststroke. Mark English got Gold in the 800m at his advanced age! Rhasidat Adeleke got Silver in the 200m. It was a beautiful sight to see Ellen make up time and move into the lead. It was brilliant. The Donegal man Mark, was highly praised on Radio. The pride in him and his stamina to keep going from his Junior days to now was most impressive. The comEback of Rhasidat was special too. Her first reaction was: “I didn’t win.” Her second reaction was: “Gratitude.” Her mother was asked, “Where did she get the talent?” She replied, “From God.” And she then said: “Praise and Glory to God.”
THE UNCOMFORTABLE MEETING OF TWO GOVERNMENT LEADERS:
James Matthews (Sky) asked: “Do you still believe that the President is an idiot, a racist and a misogynist?” (To Ed Miliband as he met with Marco Rubio.) Obviously Miliband had used such words previously. Not many could disagree with such a description. Every day makes it difficult to understand or respect an America that would put such a man in charge and would continue to support him. The phrase/song which is repeated all the time: “God Bless America.” (Irving Berlin 1918). America does need God’s blessing to protect it from such leadership. As does the world.
DRUGS AREN’T GLAMOROUS:
Was Ireland enthralled? Did the BBC become captivated by the evolving news? The Government Jet. The journey to Dubai and the return to Baldonnel. The cars racing to the Court. The transfer of Daniel Kinahan to Portlaoise. It was high drama. But this wasn’t a diversion from real life, or something on the Telly. This was an illustration of major crime, and the damage it does, and how it kills. It was the story of the chaos of drugs. Kinahan hasn’t been convicted. But many of us can share experiences of wasted lives. Of families destroyed. Of guns appearing at homes, demanding money for so called debts. Of abandoned families where young ones become old and wasted. Of the helplessness of parents. Of some such as Natasha (a one time lovely girl whose grandmother was at the heart of our community and who now is a skin and bone person – even though she touches 50). How many more hours; how many more homes are to be shattered by the cruelty of addiction, where nothing and nobody matters, except access to the money, for more destruction? Whether it is Kinehan or any other criminal family, or anyone creating havoc and destroying lives and making money; they must be stopped. How helpless some of us are on a daily basis attempting to pick up the pieces, and to be there for hurting families.
RECENT SCRIPTURE:
It is a fine story. The story of Jezebel and Elijah. It may not be too similar to The Odyssey, and Odysseus spending ten years trying to return to his wife Penelope (recent film). But Elijah had a very difficult journey too. It was long. He was hungry. He was depressed. The widow at Zarephat fed him. The Ravens fed him. He got to Horeb and the cave. Where was God? Not in the earthquake or the thunder but in the sound of a gentle breeze. A whisper. God is always in the small talk of life. In the little things. In the ordinary. In the most unexpected place. In the most unlikely people. Our own journey may not be as extravagant as Elijah or Odysseus. But the life story of so many is full of pitfalls; full of storms; full of light and darkness; full of failure; full of wonder. Like the young runner – we too can accentuate the positive. (Rhasidat).
ANOTHER JOURNEY:
I had a funeral this morning. Susan was young – 57. Death was sudden. The song and music of her life, was quite wonderful. Our very big Church was packed. Some watched outside on their phones. The Crematorium was too small. Joe Cocker with ‘You Are So Beautiful’ seemed to catch the mood. ‘Amazing Grace’ appeared on the Pipes. And the crowd joined in, and then her Song concluded – ‘I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.’ Yes – some stepped out into the aisles! And the dance and song went on. This lady worked in a Pharmacy but touched so many with her life. Her smile. Her kindness. Her laughter. Her dance. Her song. That is Liturgy. That is revelation. That is inspiration. That is the challenge.
Seamus Ahearne osa 14th August 2026.