It is a pity that the news we receive daily, be it "from across the street or across the world", is often so heavily loaded with bad news that an abundance of bright and good news available at the same time is almost taken for granted and not stressed often enough. Undue dwelling on the sordid and miserable can eclipse and darken a positive attitude to the day ahead.
Only recently, amid a host of letters to the Editor of The Irish Times dealing with problems and scandals, there was a letter that gave me a "lift". It simply read: "Dear Sir, I know many priests and nuns who are loving and close to Christ " - a sensible and just recognition of the saintly and faithful. Jesus did warn those with the vocation to follow Him that "All will hate you for your allegiance to me; but the man who holds out to the end will be saved".
In the theme of this week, "The suffering community", we are reminded that members of the church, in witnessing to the Gospel proclaimed by the suffering Christ on the Cross, must expect to suffer as they take up their cross and follow Him.
In the Creed there are telling words. If said in sincerity and confidence they restore purpose to any that are confused or despondent. The words are: "His Kingdom will have no end." It is worth saying them over and over again until their hopeful, strong message sinks in, "grabs" us, and becomes part of us again. Human beings can be so fickle and easily led by fashion that I often wondered did Jesus on His Cross "spot" persons there that He had healed, there actually in the mob denouncing Him, having become unfaithful to Him? Would they not feel small and realise their mistake if, over the din of the howling mob they heard Jesus announce the complete success of His mission of love to the world, saying: "It is accomplished"?
Ruthless ingratitude, with an unswerving policy of pleasing only oneself, can easily undermine vocation, or any willingness to tie oneself down to responsibility. Today many excellent causes are finding it hard to get volunteers to pin themselves down or give time in serving. There is an urgent need for faithfulness. We need to pray for it. It is beautifully expressed in a short and inspiring little prayer: "Remember, O Lord, what Thou hast wrought in us, and not what we deserve; and as thou hast called us to thy service, make us worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
I quote the words of a young priest of the church. He expressed faithfulness in the "Kingdom that will have no end": "Ironically, the Catholic church's renaissance in Ireland may come about as a result of its biggest crisis."
"Jesus calls us: by thy mercies,
Saviour, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all."
W.W.