Some of it is lovely and some of it is “not-so-lovely”.
During the past week, I had the pleasure of being present at a concert staged by the Sligo Academy of Music in Summerhill College. It was a really wonderful evening. I was very impressed by the way the young people listened attentively to one another and worked together to produce such a lovely sound. I was thinking to myself that this would not be possible without the support of adults and especially parents who encourage and resource the young people.
One song that I have been reflecting on in recent weeks is the Johnny Mathis number “When a Child is Born”. It speaks of the hope that comes from the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
“A ray of hope flickers in the sky
A tiny star lights up way up high
All across the land, dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born. …
Tears will give way to laughter, hate to love, war to peace and everyone to everyone’s neighbour. And misery and suffering will be words to be forgotten forever.”
Wouldn’t it be great if it were that simple!
For centuries the Jewish people waited faithfully for the birth of the promised Messiah, a Saviour who would set them free. Many expected that the Messiah would drive out occupying armies and resolve all their political and social problems. He would be a political leader par excellence. But that never happened. Jesus was not that kind of Saviour. Two thousand years later, we still have war and poverty, homelessness and disease. So, was it “all an illusion”, as the song suggests? Did Jesus fail in his mission?
I think it might be closer to the truth to suggest that generations of good people have struggled to understand the mission of Jesus and, indeed, our own mission as Christians. The world can be changed radically because “a child was born”, but not in the way we think. What Jesus came to do was to show us what our humanity could be like at its best. He invited us into a new kind of relationship with God and empowered us through His Spirit to live together in a new way.
That brings me back to the image of the symphony orchestra. The Orchestra can only work if there are people to draw it together, but the conductor doesn’t play all the instruments. Each musician plays his or her own part; the strings, the drums, the wind instruments; all coming in on cue. It is the same with our society and our church and the wider world. We do have a unique advantage in a Saviour who can inspire and motivate us though his own life and teaching. But the building of affordable houses, the healing of the sick, the patient working for peace and so much else; these things are our mission through the Holy Spirit who is given to us.
I take this opportunity to send my Christmas greeting and prayers to all the people of our two Dioceses of Elphin and Achonry, to those who are away and to those who are home on holidays; to those who are working over the Christmas to serve others, including our clergy and parish teams; and in a particular way to those who are sick at home or in hospital.
Bishop Kevin
Bishop of Elphin and Apostolic Administrator of Achonry
December 2024