Life

I am two weeks back from a memorable time in Europe.  It was for work but it was about much more than just being a successful work tour.  One of the three places I went was Dublin.  It is true that Dublin is a fair city but what stays with me even more is a place called Glendalough.

My Irish friend, Daniel, took me on an afternoon drive.  We went south through bog country on which stood no building, no tree, no animal.  It was eerie.  We went for over an hour to get to this place Daniel so wanted to show me.  It was Glendalough in County Wicklow.

What a treasure of a place!  The countryside was more than eerie.  The hills, the green, the mist, the lake in the near distance made it a spiritual place.  Daniel knew where he was taking me and why.  This was a centre of beauty, history, culture, religion and learning.  While little remained standing and there was but a hotel and a visitors' centre, there was much to behold.  A city was not needed here and would only serve to destroy the place and what it truly has to offer.

This was the home of St Kevin, an early Irish saint, who attracted the people.  They came and built a monastery, a home, a church, a centre of learning, and it all served humanity for some centuries until finally destroyed.  What remains may be little but the feel of the place itself with its natural setting and its ruins, along with the passion of Daniel for all that is there - it all made a huge impact on my spirit.  There was something great there and it still is.  It is the spirit of humanity, the spirit of the divine that is much stronger than any great city or worldly power.

This place, its experience stay with me.  It does not have to be described.  The experience just is and it is good for the spirit.  While it can't be captured by words, it is good to share it and deserves to be shared for it is about sharing life and the spirit of life which endures and is much stronger than we ever realize in our daily existence.  Long live life!  Daniel, you were so right to take me to Glendalough.  Thanks ever so much.  

A Picture Truly does Share 1,000 Words

As I have said before, a picture says 1,000 words.  This picture says it all.  At one time, Theresa May is all in.  Now she is all out.  An amazing pictorial commentary on the state of our politicians in the West today.  The image is not lost in its message. 

Now for words from a world leader who means what he says.  Pope Francis gives us a new and more contemporary take on fasting.  He is a man who speaks to us, who stands up and out to a Church that may not listen to him but that does not stop him.  He keeps going.  Roll on the Church of the poor, for the poor.  The Church that shows the way to encountering our world and all its peoples, our brothers and sisters. whoever they may be and wherever they may be.  As I say this, I know I am part of a Church that in so many ways is caught up in its own power struggles and concerns, a Church blind to the world of real people in their little worlds.  Open up our windows and blow down our walls so that we can be where we are called to be - with our brothers and sisters; so that we can be where we say in word we want to be but are so often not.       



And What a Journey!

I have just had two weeks away, going to Madrid, Rome and Dublin.  Yes, it was for work and good work was done but what a trip.  Yes, I saw some great sights and had some great experiences but there was much more.  There was the connecting and reconnecting with significant people I know from my past and with ones I have never met before but are part of who I am through my being in the Order and my mission.  It was all very significant.

I could have shared one of my great shots from Glendalough, the home of St Kevin in County Wicklow, or from one of the many special churches I visited but no one shot would capture my overall experience.  So I share the picture of a Turkish Airlines jet I flew as a symbol of the journey and what a journey it was. 

The opportunity to move out of one's usual pattern and environment offers much nourishment for life.  Maybe we do not have the luxury of getting on a plane and going somewhere beyond but we can all move out of our daily ruts and routines in one way or another and it does us and those around us so much good.  Go for it!

Life is a journey

These pictures feature a spiritual highlight of my time away so far, first in Madrid and now Rome.  I had a special time being in this basilica in Madrid - the Basilica San Francisco el Grande. I was engrossed in an environment that gave me a sense of the other. 

Yes, I am away for the sake of my work with Caritas and refugees but in the midst of all and any activity what is essential is time to nourish the spirit.  The journey gives opportunities for special 
times of nourishment such as my time that I try in rather inadequate ways here but still I want to share what I found so special along the way. 

Life is a journey that demands and deserves decent nourishment.