I Am Said I (Huruma)

It’s providential that we are saying farewell to each other on the feast of the Ascension, the day when Jesus and His disciples said goodbye. Somehow, I feel that our parting is graced by the Ascension, is lifted up with Jesus and then it becomes a sacred and holy experience, an experience in which separation and union become one and the same thing because we are all held together as one in Jesus, especially every time we come to Holy Communion at Mass. In all my years of leaving different places I have never felt as emotional as I do on leaving Shankill. I have always said that you have taught me to be a real priest but I completely underestimated the depth and strength of the bond that exists between us and I have been really touched by your response to the news of my leaving that was announced a couple of weeks ago. We are truly one body, one spirit in Christ. The preparation for my life here came in the form of the Camino to Santiago, a journey that emptied me of every...

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8) The echo Of a seagull's cry On a winter's dawn Crystal clear Carrying a call From another coast It comes to me At the altar Sacrifice Separation From all who hold me Dear To leave familiar loves I am reluctant Resisting Surrender But still I will go If You lead And need me To take Your People To heart In a different land Gratefully and In Love As Eucharist In Your hands (Shankill, a November Sunday 2016)