My view with Father Paddy O'Kane: Love of others and of self

Last week I met Mick at the front of Rafters restaurant/off-licence.  “Fr Paddy,” he exclaimed, “can I shake your hand?” “No problem,” says I.

“Of all the priests I have met you are by far the best,” he went on.  My ego began to swell.  “I can’t understand why they haven’t made you a bishop!’”  It was getting bigger and better. 

(Obviously, he hadn’t heard my recent comments on married priests and women priests).  “Let me tell you something,” he continued.  “One day you will be canonized”.  No one had ever given me such a holy compliment.  By now my ego was near bursting point – until his final interjection brought me back to earth with a bang. “You couldn’t lend me a tenner?”.

I said later: “Lord, you sure have a sense of humour.”

 Last Sunday Jesus said in the Gospel love your neighbour as yourself.  However, the self-love of pride due to an enlarged ego or selfishness when I become the centre of my universe, these are not what Jesus meant.  I saw a programme on BBC 4 recently where, in a high security American prison, the incarcerated talked openly about their childhoods.   Many had a deep ‘father wound’.  Many said they did not know what the word ‘love’ meant.  Many hated themselves.   But the fact is this: we are allChildren of God.  We have a Heavenly Father who is ‘head over heels’ in love with us.  ‘’He dandles us upon his knees’ according to the psalm.  Repeat to yourself every day ‘I am beautiful, I am precious, I am loveable’. Stop that destructive tape of blame and self- accusation going around in your head.  We can’t fly without wings; nor can we grow without roots.  We can’t offer the warmth of love and affection to our family, friends or neighbours if our own fireplace is cold and empty.  True love overflows from the centre of our being in loving service of others and of God.

HALLOWE’EN CELEBRATIONS.

For several years I have attended the fireworks and Halloween Celebrations.  It began a long time ago when I took my young nephews and nieces up here from Culdaff.

We shared the fun and excitement. I hope you  too had a wonderful celebration on Tuesday night.  Fireworks, fancy dress, family games, ‘trick or treat’ are all part of the fun.  It is a great time for our youth and for adults too to ‘let their hair down’ and their inner child out to play.   [This year I went as  Darth Vader!].With the change back to winter time and as we face the long nights ahead any distraction is welcome. I congratulate the mayor, the Derry City Council, the stewards and the police for doing all within their powers to try and make this carnival-

which unites people of different traditions and draws people from near and far- alcohol free and  something our shared city can be proud of.

Word of Wisdom

Better to attempt to do something and fail that to attempt to do nothing and succeed.

Halloween Joke

What I like about Halloween is how my house cobwebs now become my decorations!

FOUR SEASONS

Forgive me, Lord, for the many times

I complain about the weather

Yes, those days of rain

Are such a pain

But I must now consider whether

If offered to exchange it

For those hurricanes upon the news

With lots of strife

And loss of life

I think I would refuse.

Who doesn’t like a clear blue sky

Or your warm sun upon his face?

But if it stayed like this

There’s much we’d miss

As our  four seasons we replace.

The beauty of a snow clad hill,

Or against a black horizon

A scraggy tree

We’d never see

Or  children making snow men.

The springtime comes,

Breathing life and love into your creation

And from their sleep

My bees now creep

After months of hibernation.

The snowdrops bravely bares his  head

To daffodil soon will follow

The tulips bright

To our sight’s delight

Before the summer’s  swallows.

When people come with picnics

And sit down by the sea

Their children run

With mirth and fun

Excitement and with glee.

My bees are busy near and far

In search of golden honey

While I sit still

Just trying to chill

Out on a deck chair if it’s sunny.

The harvest comes with Autumn

For the farmer who worked so hard.

But he’s no fool

His barn’s now full

As he recoups his rich reward.

Trees turn to crimson red

Having forfeited all the fruit.

What once was green

In now stripped clean

As sap seeps back to root.

So to this year’s dark closing

We say a sad ‘Amen.’

So cuddle tight

Around your hot fire light

Before it all begins again.

[pokane]

DIVINE MERCY PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND

22-27th May 2018.

Flying Belfast—Krakow

Cost £718 (hold baggage extra)

Savings scheme Thursdays 8-9pm at Holy Family Parochial House Deposit £100 Spiritual director Fr O’Kane Tel.71267070 or 07732468511