by Fr. Tommy Lane
We cannot discover new oceans unless we dare to lose sight of the shore. Those in 6th class last June have left the familiar shore and crossed the ocean to the new shore of 1st year. Those who completed 2nd level in June are now crossing the ocean to third level or work. For many of them it will be their first time away from home. We cannot discover new oceans unless we dare to lose sight of the shore. But losing sight of the shore is not easy. Change is not easy. All partings are difficult. But the good thing is we discover new oceans and new shores. In John’s Gospel Jesus says, unless a wheat grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain, but if it dies it yields a rich harvest. Arriving at maturity involves letting go of dependencies. To put it in the language of Jesus in today’s Gospel, to become mature and discover new oceans and new shores means carrying our cross. Becoming what we are called to be, realizing our potential will mean making choices and giving up some attachments. Life means taking risks. Not every venture does win. To use the language of Jesus in today’s Gospel, some people intending to build aren’t able to complete their task. Or some kings going to war with ten thousand see twenty thousand facing them and send envoys to sue for peace. We have all experienced failure of one kind or another. Surely each of us has experienced the attempt to build and realized too late after starting that we could not complete the task. And that is humiliating. And sometimes we feel that life is against us like that king with 10,000 facing 20,000. But in those moments of pain, sometimes fearful and dreadful moments of pain, let us remember that Jesus is with us. He is our brother since our baptism. He too suffered pain, physical, mental, emotional and psychological. The Letter to the Hebrews says he was like us in every way but sin. In our moments of pain, when we suddenly realize that we can’t complete our task or the king facing us is too strong for us, let us turn to Jesus in prayer. It amazes me that some people, when they are in dire straits, will not pray. Prayer is the best way to solve any problem. Of course we also need to talk, seek advice, consult with others. But if we don’t pray, we won’t get very far. We can’t make it on our own. We cannot live without God. I am absolutely convinced that it is because of prayer that the peace process in the North has made such progress. When there is a problem, pray. Pray, pray, pray. Prayer is answered, someway, sometime, often in a surprising way, but prayer is answered. When we are in difficulty, we need to pray more than ever for the strength and wisdom to solve the problem. And when we pray, God is with us helping us to cope with the difficulty. My favourite passage in the prophet Isaiah is this: ‘Thus says Yahweh, who created you, who formed you. Do not be afraid for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name, you are mine. Should you pass through the waters, I shall be with you; or through rivers, they will not swallow you up. Should you walk through fire, you will not suffer, and the flame will not burn you.’ (Isaiah 43:1-4) So please believe in the power of prayer, and turn to God in prayer when in need.
“When things go wrong as
they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is strange with its twists and turns
As everyone of us sometimes learns
And many a failure comes about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell just how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.”
This homily was delivered when I was engaged in parish ministry in Ireland before joining the faculty of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland.
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