Since we are travellers and pilgrims in the world, let us ever ponder on the end of the road, that is of our life, for the end of our roadway is our home (St Columban, 8th sermon).
Within the last few weeks Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, the most senior bishop in the Church of England (Anglican) and head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, discovered that the man he thought was his father, the late husband of his mother, was not but someone else.
In a personal statement on 8 April the Archbishop said, I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes.
As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:27-28).
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it (1 Corinthians 12:27).
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are (1 John 3:1).
After these
things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and
he showed himself in this way.Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas
called the Twin,Nathanael
of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples.Simon Peter said to
them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went
out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the
disciples did not know that it was Jesus.Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?”
They answered him, “No.”He said to them, “Cast the net to the
right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they
were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.That disciple whom Jesus loved said to
Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on
some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea.But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net
full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yardsoff.
When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there,
with fish on it, and bread.Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the
fish that you have just caught.”So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full
of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many,
the net was not torn.Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of
the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the
Lord.Jesus came and took the bread and gave it
to them, and did the same with the fish.This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the
disciples after he was raised from the dead.
[When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes,
Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you
love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to
him, “Tend my sheep.”He said to
him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt
because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed
my sheep.Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to
fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you
will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and
take you where you do not wish to go.”(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he
would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”]
I am using here the
reflection I wrote three years ago for the same Sunday, with one or two minor
changes. However, one line I wrote, near the end, doesn't need to be changed,
even though I was referring to events in 2013: Technically (the Korean War) has never ended and at this
moment nobody is sure what North Korea is up to, its having raised tensions
considerably in recent weeks.
When I turned 13 I wanted to be a pilot in the Irish Army Air
Corps. With three or four classmates in O'Connell Schools, Dublin, run by the
(Irish) Christian Brothers, I was enthralled by the exploits of Biggles, a
fictitious character created by Captain W. E. Johns. Biggles started his career
in the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and was still flying, in the Royal Air
Force, during World War II.
When I discovered that you needed some proficiency in physics my
interest in being a pilot waned but my desire to be a military officer was
still there. But 'coming up from the rear' was a desire to be a missionary
priest. By the time I was 14 I knew that that was what I wanted to be.
Servant of God Fr Emil Kapaun
(20 April 1916 - 23 May 1951)
Around that time, or maybe when I was 15, I found a book in one of
the branches of Dublin city's public libraries about a man who had combined
being a priest and an army officer, Father Emil Kapaun of the Diocese of
Wichita, Kansas, who served as a US army chaplain in World War II and in the
Korean War (1950 - 53). When his unit retreated after being attacked by
Chinese soldiers Father Kapaun stayed behind with the wounded, knowing he would
be captured. I was truly inspired by the accounts of how he had helped so
many soldiers, giving them hope, strengthening their faith, sharing his pipe
with them, scrounging for food and medicines, ie, 'stealing' them. He was taking the words of Jesus to St Peter literally: Feed my lambs . . . feed my sheep. One of the
veterans in the video above tells how Catholics, Protestants and Jews were all
saying the rosary every night.
At the beginning of the video we hear the voice of Father Kapaun
himself speaking of the choice we must make 'between being loyal to the true
faith or of giving allegiance to something else'. His own choice led to his
death in a North Korean prisoner of war camp, his last public act being a
service at sunrise on 25 March 1951, Easter Sunday. One of those who carried
him later to the camp 'hospital'from which no 'patient' ever returned alive,
recounts in the video how he was blessing his captors.
The first time I visited Korea, towards the end of September 1971
on my way to the Philippines, I was very conscious of Fr Kapaun when I
celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Columban house in Seoul. On a visit there in 2015 I discovered that his name and the names of other US Army Catholic chaplains who died in the Korean War are on a plaque in our chapel. (Seven Columban priests who died in the War have been proposed for beatification as martyrs by the bishops of Korea).
On Thursday 11 April 2013, nine days before the 97th anniversary of
his birth, Fr Kapaun was posthumously awarded the Medal of
Honor, the USA's highest award for valour, President Obama giving the medal to
the priest's nephew at the White House.
In 1993 Fr Kapaun was declared a 'Servant of God', the first step
towards possible canonization, and on 29 June 2008 the cause for his sainthood
was officially opened. The Diocese of Wichita has a website dedicatedto this.
In the gospel for this Sunday Jesus asks Peter three times, 'Do
you love me?', adding 'more than these' the first time. When Peter professed
his love each time Jesus told him to 'feed my lambs', 'feed my sheep'. His
tending the flock was not to be a 'job' but something done joyfully and
wholeheartedly out of his relationship with Jesus. Yet it was to lead to the
cross, just as Father Kapaun's following of Jesus was to lead him to his death,
which the Church may one day recognize as that of a martyr, like the death
of St Martin I,
who wasn't directly killed but whose harsh treatment led to his death and whom
the Church honours on 13 April.
Fr Emil Joseph Kapaun is an outstanding example of one who allowed
Jesus to ask him, 'do you love me?' and who answered 'Yes' with his very life,
turning what was a man-made hell into a touch of heaven for the soldiers he was
called to serve.
The Korean War began on 25 June 1950 and lasted till the ceasefire
of 27 July 1953. Technically it has never ended and at this moment nobody is
sure what North Korea is up to, its having raised tensions considerably in recent
weeks. Perhaps we can invoke the intercession of Father Kapaun for peace in the
land where he is buried. This prayer is from the website dedicated to the cause of his canonization.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, in the midst of the folly of war, your servant, Chaplain Emil Kapaun spent himself in total service to you on the battlefields and in the prison camps of Korea, until his death at the hands of his captors.
We now ask you, Lord Jesus, if it be your will, to make known to all the world the holiness of Chaplain Kapaun and the glory of his complete sacrifice for you by signs of miracles and peace.
In your name, Lord, we ask, for you are the source of peace, the strength of our service to others, and our final hope.
Amen
All in the
April Evening
Words by
Katherine Tynan Hinkson, music by Sir Hugh S. Roberton, sung by the Glasgow Phoenix Choir
In temperate climes in the northern hemisphere Easter always occurs during spring. It is also lambing season for sheep. The symbolism in all of this is closely linked to the meaning of Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
All In the April Evening
All in the April evening, April airs were abroad; The sheep with their little lambs Pass'd me by on the road.
The sheep with their little lambs Pass'd me by on the road; All in an April evening I thought on the Lamb of God.
The lambs were weary, and crying With a weak human cry; I thought on the Lamb of God Going meekly to die.
Up in the blue, blue mountains Dewy pastures are sweet: Rest for the little bodies, Rest for the little feet.
But for the Lamb. the Lamb of God Up on the hill-top green; Only a cross of shame
Two stark crosses between.
All in the April evening, April airs were abroad; I saw the sheep with their lambs, And thought on the Lamb of God.
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the
throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of
myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,
“Worthy
is the Lamb that was slaughtered
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth
and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,
“To
the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might
forever and ever!”
And
the four livingcreatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.
Fr Terence P. F. Twohig, known as 'Terry', was born in Donnycarney, Dublin on 16 April
1938.
Our Lady of Consolation Church, Donnycarney [Website]
He was educated at St Patrickʼs National School, Drumcondra, Coláiste Mhuire, Parnel
Square, and Mount St Josephʼs College, Roscrea. He entered the Columban seminary, St Columban's, College, Dalgan Park, Ireland, in September 1956 and
was ordained priest on 21 December 1962.
Appointed to the Philippines in 1963, he was assigned to Mindanao.
He served in Dumalinao, Kapatagan and Kolambugan, before being assigned to
Ireland for three years on promotion work.
On his return to Mindanao he served
in Kolambugan, Kiwalan and Iligan City. He then spent the next ten years in parishes in the Prelature of Marawi, where around 95 per cent of the people are Muslims, in Marawi City, Malabang and Karomatan (now Sultan Naga Dimaporo). For
part of that time he lived in a Muslim village in order to learn the Maranao language, spoken by the majority of Muslims in the two Lanao provinces, and become closer to the people. This was a difficult time for Father Terry.
A Muslim friend later wrote to him, Father we really miss
you back here. You have been a wonderful man to us, better than any good Muslim
has been. We really needed help, and the help unexpectedly came from you who
have been accused by our folk as an adversary . . . I want you to know that
there are Muslims, pure Muslims, who appreciate your work. Should I have the
opportunity I would work, and be proud of working, side by side with you, to bring justice and peace to both our peoples.
In 1990, Father Terry spent a sabbatical year in Birmingham, England, doing Islamic Studies. On his return to the
Philippines, he spent three years in Pagadian Diocese. On hearing of Fr Terry's death, Sultan Maguid Maruhom, a Muslim friend in Pagadian, sent this message that was read at the end of the funeral Mass: I am very sad to know that Fr Terry Twohig passed away yesterday in Ireland. As I pray for his soul, I and my family also extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and to the Columban Fathers. Father Terry was a good man who spent long years of his life in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, to serve our people with abundance of heart and help sow the seeds of peace in this part of the world. I am one of his Muslim friends whom he had much inspired to take the challenge in bridging understanding and building peace between people of different faiths. One thing that made him very close to my heart was that in my time of great trouble this good man always came to help and console me. He never abandoned me as a friend despite the risk. Though he may have left us for good, I am sure my memory of him will always stay. Indeed he was a friend I will never forget and he will inspire me forever.
St Joseph's Church, Balcurris, Ballymun, Dublin
Assigned once again to
Ireland, he spent ten happy years with the people of Ballymun. On 16 May 1998 while he was celebrating Mass for 60 children making their First Holy Communion a shooting incident took place in the church. In his homily at the funeral, Fr Donal Hogan noted: Of course Terry later visited the gunman in jail
a number of times – ever the merciful one – indeed the Christ-like one.
RTÉ report on shooting in St Joseph’s Church
Am important part of Father Terry's life was his involvement with the Jesus Caritas Fraternity of Priests, in Mindanao and later in Dublin, inspired by the spirituality of Blessed Charles de Foucauld. Failing
health forced Father Terry to the Dalgan Nursing Home in 2004. He was a gentle, good-humoured
man, always interested in people. A very committed missionary, he made every effort to reach
out to the Muslims of Mindanao, knowing that only the witness of true Christian
charity would, and did indeed, make an impression on them. Father Terry died on 30 March 2016.May he rest in peace. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow
me . . . (Psalm 23 [22]:6, Grail translation).
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. May his noble soul be at the right hand of God.
St Columban's Cemetery, Dalgan Park Prayer of Abandonment Blessed Charles de Foucauld
Father,
I abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me,
and in all your creatures –
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul:
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.
A Proud Dubliner
Like most Irish people, Father Terry had a strong attachment to his native county/city. No doubt this was part of the strong sense of rootedness that enabled him to reach out to Muslims in Mindanao. During his funeral Mass his battered Breviary and a Dublin shirt were brought up as symbols of his life.
Members of the Dublin Gaelic Football team [Dublin GAA]
At the end of the burial of a Catholic in Ireland a decade of the Rosary is prayed. And after that at the burial of a Columban the Salve Regina is sung. At Father Terry's funeral another song was added, Molly Malone (Cockles and Mussels), the theme song of Dubliners, especially those from the city. Father Terry probably never heard this recent version in Dutch, sung by Ancora, but I'm sure he would have enjoyed it.
The Irish Catholic has as its front-page story, written by Mags Gargan and dated 31 March: Irish missionaries vow to stand by Pakistani Christians despite upsurge in violence. The missionaries
quoted in the story are all Irish and are all Columbans. However, not all Columbans in Pakistan are Irish. Fr Dan O'Connor is from New Zealand. There are three Columban seminarians whose two-year First Mission Assignment is ending about now, Chung Beong-Rool Joachim from Korea, Pat Visanti from Fiji and Louie Ybañes from the Philippines. There are also four Columban Sisters. Since 1990 Sisters from Ireland, Korea, Philippines and Scotland have worked there. Columban priests first went to Pakistan in 1978-79. Columban Lay Missionaries, mostly from the Philippines but also from Fiji and Ireland, worked in Pakistan for more than 20 years, though there are none there at the moment.
CNN features a report today, 4 April: Life as a Christian in Pakistan. While the report clearly focuses on discrimation against minorities, particularly Christians, Simah Mohsin points out the fact that more Muslims than Christians were killed in the Easter Sunday bombing. As one of the Columban priests requested in an email after that evil event: We also feel it is important not just to focus on the Christian victims, as there are many other innocent victims of violence, the majority of whom are Muslim, so we need to keep them all in mind and prayer. The majority of the victims were women and children. It might be enough to ask Columbans to keep all here in prayer.
One of the Columban priests in Pakistan sent this press release by the National Commission on Justice and Peace of which Bishop Joseph Arshad of Faisalabad is the chairperson.
Condemnation
of the bombing in Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park, Lahore
The
city of Lahore once again had to face the harsh and tragic outbreak of the
extremist forces in a deadly and brutal attack on innocent families visiting
the park to celebrate the spring season and the festival of Easter. A few days
back the government took an initiative to declare Holi (Hindu festival) and
Easter (Christian festival) as holidays. While the non-Muslim community of
Pakistan were rejoicing and appreciating the efforts of the government, on
March 27, 2016, Easter Sunday, a suicide bomb in Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park killed
over 70 and left more than 300 injured. Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan
JamaatulAhrar has claimed responsibility for the blast stating it had intentionally
targeted the Christian Community on Easter. The National Commission for Justice
and Peace, a rights based organization of Pakistan Catholic Bishops’
Conference, strongly condemns the tragic attack
on innocent people in a public park.
His Lordship Bishop Dr Joseph Arshad, Chairperson NCJP and Rev. Fr
Emmanuel Yousaf (Mani) National Director NCJP in a joint statement said that
killing innocent people, in particular women and children, in the name of
religion is unacceptable. While the motive was to target the Christians, yet so
many of our Muslim Brothers, Sisters, Children and families who were also
visiting the park on account of Sunday holiday fell victim to this
brutal attack. We pray for all the victims of this attack, as they were all
Pakistanis. While the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Army Chief have
strongly condemned the attack, the commission calls upon the government to
bring the perpetrators to justice and to tighten its measures for protection of
all citizens including minorities and vulnerable communities.
They further stated that the government while addressing the
extremist elements through the military operation needs to also address the
root causes of this intolerance. It must conduct a large-scale operation to
eliminate such elements that are prevalent in the province of Punjab and other
parts of the country, which are operating and blatantly challenging the writ of
the state.
Bishop
Dr Arshad and Fr Yousaf further stated that the uncertainty of life is
becoming more obvious in Pakistan. We thus pray to our Lord Jesus Christ that
as a nation He may grant
us wisdom, tolerance and peace. May God give strength to the families of the
victims to endure the loss of their loved ones.
I wish to express
my closeness to all those affected by this cowardly and senseless crime, and
ask you to pray to the Lord for the numerous victims and their loved ones.
I appeal to the
civil authorities and to all the social components of [Pakistan] to do
everything possible to restore security and peace to the population and, in
particular, to the most vulnerable religious minorities.
I repeat, once again, that violence and murderous hatred lead only
to pain and destruction; respect and fraternity are the only way to achieve
peace. The Passover of the Lord inspires in us, in an even more powerful way,
prayers to God so that he stops the hands of the violent, who spread terror and
death; and makes it possible for love, justice and reconciliation to reign in
the world.
