24th September, 2006

UNEASY LIES THE HEAD…..

Many regular readers of our Bulletin will know that my membership of the Passionist Congregation involves me having to do a fair amount of travelling from time to time. During this past week I had to be in Dublin for a meeting. It involved me being away during the earlier part of the week. To be honest, even though it’s nice to get home occasionally, there is quite an amount of hassle for such a short trip. (Feeling sorry for me yet?)

One of the consoling features of these trips, however, is that I can go away safe in the knowledge that the Parish is in good hands in my absence. Fr. Ephrem can be relied upon to see that everything runs smoothly – masses will be said on time, visitors will be met and dealt with in a courteous manner, calls will be answered, and, generally, my absence will probably not be noticed by the majority of people. Such were my thoughts as I winged my way towards the emerald isle.

But by Tuesday I was having those famous second thoughts. It was becoming obvious that this wasn’t a good week for leaders to be away from their homes. Would I be allowed to return to Paris? Was there an ominous undertone in Fr. Ephrem’s parting wish that I have a pleasant stay in Ireland? And, come to think of it, there were to be two Passionists coming to ‘visit’ while I was away! Maybe their visit wasn’t that innocent? Was there a coup afoot, I asked myself? Would it be bloodless? By Wednesday I knew I needed to get back as soon as possible. On eventually turning in to Ave. Hoche in the middle of the night I wasn’t really reassured by seeing police and army lined up in front of the building!

But I needn’t have worried – they were just making sure the building was safe in my absence. And when I got up to our living quarters, Fr. Ephrem was sound asleep, no doubt dreaming of his acceptance speech when he’s elected next Pope! To be perfectly honest, there is no rivalry between us, and, unlike the disciples in today’s readings, we don’t spend our time arguing ‘which of us is the greatest’!

Today’s Gospel is kind of sad in a way, and yet somewhat consoling. There is Jesus telling them that shortly He is going to be arrested and put to death, and that He will rise again. And in the meantime all they can do is argue among themselves as to which of them is the greatest! Talk about getting your priorities in a mess! Sad, yes, but consoling too, to know that we’re not the first of Jesus followers to be distracted by non-essentials.