It Started

I feel I have to mark this moment: 11pm on the 4th August 1914, when Britain declared war on Germany and the First World War began for us. Thousands of Irish men fought in the British army, which was at that time our army and our country, and many of them died defending not just King and country, but for the cause of freedom. My great-grandfather was among them, thankfully he survived, but he bore the scars of battle for the rest of his life.

Their noble gesture was made in the light of the crazy refusal of powerful men to talk to each other, to find a peaceful way of resolving their differences, a great refusal which led to the deaths of millions. Pope Benedict XV pleaded with the warring factions, they ignored him. When Blessed Charles of Austria became Emperor of Austria he sought to make peace, to end the war, they ignored him too. Peace was rendered mute.

There are many lessons to be learned, we haven't learned them yet. But let us remember in prayer all those souls who died in this bitter conflict. Among them heroic priests like Fr Willie Doyle who offered his life for those he served in the trenches, dying a martyr of charity. And we must not forget that nobility and courage was to be found among those the allies were fighting, we remember them too.

Sir Edward, later Lord, Grey, Foreign Secretary, famously said that with the outbreak of this war "The lamps are going out all over Europe. We shall not see them lit again in our lifetime". Tonight people are extinguishing lamps and candles to mark the beginning of the war. I'm not so sure about that. Perhaps we should be lighting them again - why withdraw into darkness as we remember the horrors of war? Rather should we not come out into the light, and spread that light throughout the world so peace can speak in the light rather than be muffled in the darkness?

Let us pray for all those who died: 

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon them, 

may they rest in peace. Amen.

Blessed Charles of Austria, pray for us

Fr Willie Doyle, pray for us

Turning Over A New Leaf

When Adam and Eve were trying to hide their nakedness they desperately made a desperate suit of clothes for themselves from leaves - the fig leaf has become the iconographical expression of their fall.  In our reading from Genesis today we have another leaf - that of the olive, now symbol of peace, which informs Noah that the flood has subsided - the new creation is emerging from the waters.

As I was praying this reading today I was struck, in my imagination, by the silence which must have greeted Noah and his family as they opened the doors and walked out on to earth again.  First there was probably all sorts of noises from the animals on the ark - imagine the sleepless nights there - they must have had a few tense moments during the weeks in the ark, perhaps even a few tense words were spoken.  Going outside to an empty earth must have been strange.  But then there is the silence which emerges when the cacophony of sin and chaos has gone - that silence which most equates with peace.  Perhaps at that moment, perhaps even for just that moment, there was peace on earth.  Noah then offers sacrifice, a thanksgiving, but also a desire to remain in that peace - to remain in friendship with God.

Noah and his family represented God's attempt to begin again: as Noah foreshadows Christ, his family foreshadows the Church, the silent earth and saved animals, the new creation.   Here in this mysterious event the sacrifice of Jesus and the establishing of the New Covenant is prepared for, alluded to, promised.  

Here also we see the new beginning - a second chance, hopefully to get things right.  Noah, a righteous man, in peace with God, represents the hope that human beings can finally undo the damage and rise again to what God intends us to be.  It was not to be so for some time.  Noah's descendants would fall again: humanity would have to wait for the Messiah to come, and he, God and Man would fulfil the hope the silent and peaceful earth after the flood longed for.

This reading today brings to mind the new beginning all of us may experience in the Sacrament of Confession.  In that Sacrament the waters of grace pour over us like a flood putting to death within us our sinfulness and seeking to heal the original wound of Adam's sin which manifests itself as weakness and pride.  Emerging from the Sacrament - the confession box is a worthy image for the ark, we too face the silence and peace of reconciliation, of God's presence now felt more profoundly thanks to the grace of our encounter with him in his mercy.   Like Noah, emerging from the ark, the first thing we must do in that moment is offer sacrifice, offer ourselves, so we will remain in his peace and become stronger and holier.

St Malachy Triduum Day Two: Angel of Peace

As we continue our Triduum in honour of St Malachy, I thought we might look at one of the titles in the prayer.  Called the Angel of Peace by St Bernard in his biography of his friend, Malachy was one who richly deserved that title.  Ireland was a country at war with itself at the time (as it is today). The Church in Ireland had many problems.  As he sought to introduce reform, he also sought to bring peace to the Church and his country.   Malachy knew that as long as even one person was at war either with others, with God or with themselves, then there would never be peace.

True peace emerges from reconciliation - with God, our neighbour and with ourselves.  The key to this reconciliation is fidelity, which itself emerges from love.  He could tinker with the structures all he wanted, but his efforts would fail if he did not address this personal problem.  He did address it - through his personal holiness.  He did have enemies, but more admirers - the people of his land recognised that here was one who loved God and inspired others to love him: in this, then, he was truly an Angel of Peace.  As we pray this Triduum may Malachy, Angel of Peace, help us be reconciled with God, our neighbour and ourselves, through fidelity and love.

Triduum Prayer to St Malachy

Glorious Saint Malachy,

ardent yet gentle shepherd of God’s people,

we come before you seeking your

intercession and protection

in this time of trial.

Malachy, angel of peace,

who brought those in conflict

to be reconciled

in the name of Christ,

grant lasting peace and reconciliation

to our country.

Mighty pillar of the Church,

who banished error

by the truth of your preaching,

obtain for each of us the grace

of sincere repentance and renewal

that we may serve the Lord in holiness

all our days.

Most fatherly Archbishop of Armagh,

enkindle the hearts of bishops and priests

that, aided by your patronage and example,

they may labour to form a holy people

            strong in faith

            constant in prayer

            abounding in charity

            devoted to the Sacraments

            and loyal to the See of Peter.

O saint rich in mercy and compassion,

look upon all who are suffering or in need

and obtain for them support, healing and hope.

St Malachy, ablaze with heavenly fire,

be a light to guide us on our pilgrim way

to the Kingdom of Heaven.

There may we be united with you

in singing the praises of God

for ever and ever.

Amen.