Clonskeagh Parish RCN:20016166

A Few Words from Fr Joe…………………..

What a difference a little bit of sunshine and clear blue skies can make to our mood. Alongside the brighter, longer days, the arrival of daffodils and crocus flowers pushing out of the cold, sodden earth, really does herald the first days of Spring. Of course, we all know that March winds can be cold, that April showers can strike at any time, but it feels ok to dream of warmer summer days to come.

When we mention ‘mood’ and how we feel, and accept that external things beyond our control do really affect our happiness and wellbeing, then maybe that explains why new conflicts in the Middle East can just get us down. Since last weekend the world feels different. Once again, our newsfeed gives a carefully curated glimpse of skies lit up, smoke bellowing from destroyed buildings, missiles and fighter planes streaking across the skies with their payload of destructive force raining down on cities, and citizens, ending lives and annihilating military installations, destroying schools and homes. We know the fear and distress of passengers transiting through the region, finding themselves caught up in the chaos, but we can scarcely comprehend the depth of pain in the families of those killed and wounded, displaced and abandoned, as they try to make sense of the new world order.

Lent for believers is a time of recollection, repentance and the resolution to change, to become more like Christ and to build his Kingdom of peace, joy and love. We are told to ‘believe in the Good News’ and the power of the Gospel. So, we learn once more to pray, to petition, to hope and offer any help and assistance we can. The great powers of the world order have moved in recent time from aid, to arms, our spiritual power is to transform conflict into peace and reconciliation. Maybe when the dust settles and the weapons of war are silenced the light of the Risen Christ will guide us to his peace.