On St Patrick’s Day, the Archbishop of Dublin preached a very interesting homily at the Pro-Cathedral. The full text of what he said can be found on the Diocesan website and might make for interesting reading. In his insightful and challenging words, he highlights the lack of imagination in the church in Ireland today. He was referencing the fantastic imagination of St Patrick, who dreamed of how things could be and set about taking the steps, ever so slowly, of making this dream come true. His was a mission which began in poverty, the church of his day had absolutely nothing except the Good News and the desire to share it with the pagan Irish. From those humble origins, an enormous church grew. All over Ireland convents, schools, presbyteries and churches, parish halls, graveyards, holy shrines, monasteries and chapels of ease were built. The Archbishop speaks of Patrick’s ‘faith filled hope’ and sees this Jubilee of Hope as being an opportunity to dream again as Patrick once did.
In the past thousands of men and women came forward to serve in religious life and the once poor church became rich in people and material wealth. It is clear that this model is now in decline, numbers are reducing and many of these once vibrant communities are gone. So, the Archbishop wants us to reflect on the way forward, he prompts us by saying that no pastoral plan made in an office in Drumcondra, is going to be the ultimate solution.
He asks us not to think about the things that have been taken from us, but rather to think about what God is giving the Church today, through each of us, the baptised. “Renewal in faith requires a new way of imagining what it means for us to follow Christ together.” There is little point in looking at the inanimate built structures if we don’t also imagine the church like a garden, where seeds need to be planted and cultivated. He also cites the witness from weakness that Pope Francis is currently offering to the world. We so often say that your health is your wealth, and in terms of well-being the Holy Father is truly poor, but undiminished in his capacity to witness to the love of God and carry on as a pilgrim of peace.
I took great heart from these inspiring words and used them to prepare for the three Confirmation ceremonies in the partnership this week. I dream of parents really passing on their faith, that closeness to Jesus and his church that has empowered the living faith for generations past, finding new expression in the hope filled lives of these Spirit touched children.