"I fear the man of one book!" is a common saying. The force of this is that an opponent would really have mastered the content. Bacon reminds us that some books are to be digested and remembered and be a lifeline for all our years. Such a treasure is the tiny masterpiece The Presence of God. It contains only 70 pages and is on sale for £1.60. One could easily pass it by - and be the poorer all life long.
The author was Fr Anselm Moynihan O.P., a Kerry-born Dominican, sometime civil servant and close friend of Eamon de Valera. He died last week. The very name of Moynihan became a synonym for absolute fidelity, deep-rooted prayer, generous self-giving and a radiant insight into the life-giving treasures of Scripture word and sacramental truth. Two scholars (who live and work close to the struggle and pain of real people) have summed up for us the perennial impact of this work. Austin Flannery calls to us: "Fr Moynihan makes us aware of God as somebody most real. . .Somebody who loves us, lives with us and guides our choice of action." Donagh O'Shea awakens us: "This booklet has never stopped working quietly and deeply, recalling us to the reality we most need to remember and are most likely to forget. Fashions come and go. This has the enduring quality of a classic."
Fr Moynihan recalls the pagan Seneca advising one to imagine a much-revered friend as the silent witness of our actions. We need not imagine! God made us, gave us countless gifts, and sees all our choices in the daily round. "In Him we live and move and have our being." I am never alone. I cannot be alone. God is closer to me than my ever-beating heart.
"If I say,`Let darkness hide me!'
Even darkness is not dark for You
And night is as clear as day."
During the attack by Italy on Ethiopia, the terrified people called the piercing Italian searchlights "the eyes of God". Nothing could evade their scrutiny. A salutary reminder to all of us when we feel urged to reject what is true and to seek destruction by choice of evil.
We are led safely away from mistaking transient emotion for true fidelity. The only proper definition of devotion is a constant and sincere will to do, by grace, what God is asking here and now. We beg God to listen to our prayer. We do well to stop and listen to ourselves. Splendid phrases may deceive us, but they do not deceive God. Too often and all too easily, we repeat phrases unmatched in actions. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive others."
Fr Anselm had, like St Dominic, a keen and prophetic insight into the wonderful gifts that women bring to the development of all that is best in human nature. His devotion to Mary, Mother of Christ, was nourished by Scripture prayer in the Rosary. He rejoiced at the development of the Ecumenical Society of Our lady in Oxford and elsewhere. He was inspired by the astounding service given to the people of God in Africa by saintly Edel Quinn. Here was a life-giving example in the utter dedication of this radiant young woman whose goodness captured the hearts of all. He realised that many women (and men too) could draw strength and inspiration from this heroic young woman.
We are awakened by the lived example of truths we have always known. We may drift into external conformity. "Without reverence the external worship is an abomination. Scripture denounces those who offer splendid ritual from empty hearts. Even the simplest gesture of true reverence has the merit of real religion and is the greatest and most beautiful of moral virtues." We reflect in silence. We listen. We repent. We resolve.
Augustine of Hippo, proud and wayward and bewildered, heard children playing a game. "Tolle! Lege!" Take up and read!. In his springtime garden he reached for a book. He picked up the letters of St Paul and, by God's gentle mercy, found his pilgrim way out of darkness into truth.
May Fr Anselm's luminous words be for us kindly light amid encircling doom. Take up and read!
F. MacN.