Two views

Martin McGuiness, a controversial figure in Northern Ireland, has just died.  A former IRA "terrorist" responsible for loyalist deaths during the troubles, he became the architect of the peace that now prevails.  And an unlikely friend and colleague of Rev Ian Paisley!!
McGuiness death has drawn two opposed reactions.

Some, like Tony Blair and Teresa May, choose to remember the man of peace he became, and the leadership he has provided to troubled Northern Ireland.  Others, the families of victims of the IRA, cannot forgive and see him only as a mass murderer to be reviled.

This dichotomy is played out time and again in daily life. There are many for whom there is no room for repentance and rehabilitation.  Who the person is today is totally measured by the failures of the past.  There is no recognition that a person can change, grow and put away earlier misdeeds.  Which is why the USA practice of executing criminals 15 and more years after their trials is so immoral and obscene.  They are executing a totally different person.

The media has much to answer for in this regard.  The prominence they give to people who cannot put the past behind them gives legitimacy.  The media relishes detailing the past sins of a person with little or no recognition of any change or good that may entitle the person to be seen in a better light.

I think the scriptural admonition could be paid much more attention: "Judge not, lest ye be judged yourself."

Confiteor....

I can't count the number of times I have been approached in Post Office Lane, or at the entrances to Central Station by a street person with hand outstretched asking for money.  Maybe the price of a hamburger, or towards a bed that night, or for a fare to a promised job.  My inevitable thought has been that it is more likely for a drink or two.  And invariably I shake my head and walk on.

Now Pope Francis confronts me head on.   Giving something to someone in need "is always right," the pope said.  "There are many excuses to justify why one does not lend a hand when asked by a person begging on the street", he said. "Some may think, 'I give money and he just spends it on a glass of wine!’” Then in his typical down-to-earth style he joked that a glass of wine may be that person's only happiness that day!

He also suggested we consider the guilty pleasures we may be spending our money on rather than giving to the needy.  A good Lenten reflection.

Years ago Archbishop Daniel Mannix was noted for walking daily in top hat and frock coat from his residence to St Patrick's cathedral in Melbourne.  His pocket has loaded with shilling coins which he unquestioningly dispensed along the way to the needy who approached him ... Even on occasions cheeky school urchins who knew of his largess!  Francis would approve.

Maybe I need to check that in future when I take the train into the city that I have a few 'gold' coins in my pocket so I will have no excuse for passing the street person by.

The big little

Recent experience has driven home just how important little things can be.

An infected finger at first glance is a rather small thing.  But it is amazing how the pain associated with it can completely dominate one's entire life.  Nothing can distract from the continuous pain that pulses in the digit -- and one's entire life focuses on dealing with the agony and incapacity that such a small appendage can induce.

Nor does such a small limb cure easily.  After six weeks of antibiotic treatment, including a boring two weeks confined to a hospital room and two weeks of home nurse daily visits, healing is still incomplete.

This experience has made me think again about how important seemingly little things can be in a  person's life, and how easily we can underestimate or even neglect the effect they can have -- for good or bad.  A kind word can nourish self esteem and personal growth and achievement.  A careless remark or failure to notice someone can contribute to untold self-harm.

Maybe we pay too much attention to the BIG things in life, and not enough to the seemingly insignificant little things.