The Community Blog
The Importance of the Incarnation
by A Member of the Community on 01/15/16
"I Look up onto the Mountain, from hence comes my strength"
by A Member of the Community on 11/27/12
God is present in the sacred nature that he created.
Coming from Fahan with its beautiful beach, its views of hills and distant mountains, its understandable why nature appeals to me.
Fahan means the sheltered place because it is surrounded by beautiful hills. I call one of these hills the holy mountain where we erected a large Celtic cross in 1979. It is in honour of Pope John Paul IIs visit to Ireland and it calls for Christs peace on all the people of our land.
It is a great symbol of reconciliation facing Derry City just 12 miles away and also to be seen from the north part of Lough Swilly.
Just a few weeks ago my neighbour climbed those hills and walked along in silence as he viewed the entire Lough Swilly and the distant hills of Donegal.
He spoke to me about the quietness up there, the wonder, the peace undisturbed that brings one close to God.
He wondered why we seldom, if ever, spoke about that sense of the Sacred in church. The quiet is outlined by the sound of ones own breath and by his footsteps and the occasional snipe or call of a bird soaring overhead as he walked along at a fixed comfortable pace through the light heather that covered the top of the hills.
I reflected on the psalmists phrase I look up to the mountains. From hence comes my strength
It seems God speaks to man on the holy mountain, be it here, Mount Sinai, Mount Carmel or Mount Tabor.
Jesus also gave his central teaching - his charter for Christian living - on the Mount of the Beatitudes.
He offered his life for us on a Mount Calvary and ascended from a mountain also.
Mountains and hills are sacred places where we can find God.
Come to think of it, we live on a hillside here at St. Anthonys.
This retreat centre was founded in 1985 a week after an all-night vigil when we prayed for Gods guidance for our next peaceful step as a Columba Community.
In places like this our ancestors, the Celtic saints found unity with God in prayer relatively easy. Columba would find the grace to say:
Sometimes in a lonely cell in the presence of my God, I stand alone and listen. In the silence of my heart I can hear his will when I listen. Despairing people come to me; they seem to think that I will know the answers. They tell me I am wise. I answer that nothing can deceive me if I stand alone and silently listen, for I am but a servant in the presence of my king when I listen. Sometimes in a lonely cell in the presence of my God, I stand alone and listen.
Listening in the quiet place is basic to maturity and discernment of spirits.
You may be fit to climb the sacred mountain and pray. Your holy ground can be your own room. Your sacred place may be your own room or chair. May you find there the joy of communion with Christ in silence and also in intercession for others needs.
Be one with Him in thanksgiving. Be one with Him in gradual transfiguration. One day may you say with Paul I live now,not I, but Christ lives within me.
May his sacred wounds, gained on lifes journey encourage you to walk in his footsteps even when you called to do so by being still. In stillness reflect on the spiritual peaks and blessings on your life that have made the walking through the valleys possible.
If faith is the window thru which we gaze and see life differently. We see life as worthwhile when we have this faith in the living Jesus as our constant companion.
This conclusion reminds me of a beautiful song sung originally by Louis Armstrong. I see skies so blue, red roses too. I see them bloom for me and for you. And I say to myself WHAT A wonderful world. The colours of the rainbow so pretty in the sky, and also on the faces of the people going by. I see children laughing, saying How do you do? Theyre really saying I love you etc.
Enjoy Amen.
Signed - Neal Carlin
(a few lines composed on a November night in 2012!)
Introduction to Healing Mass September 4th Long Tower
by A Member of the Community on 09/06/12
Scripture reading: Mark 1 v 29 to 35
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the home of Simon and Andrew with James and John. As the mother in law of Simon was sick in bed with fever, they immediately told Him about her. Jesus went to her and taking her by the hand, raised her up and she began to wait on them.
That evening at sundown, people brought to Jesus all those who has evil spirits. The whole town was pressing around the door. Jesus healed many who had various diseases, and drove out many demons, but He did not let them speak, for they knew who He was.
Or this could be read:
Reach out and touch the Lord as He walks by
You will find He is not too busy to hear you when you cry.
He is passing every moment all your needs He will supply
Reach out and touch the Lord as He passes by.
The touch of Jesus was the Healing Touch to so many who came in contact with Him, healing both body and mind, spirit and soul. There is more to healing than the miraculous restoration of sight, hearing or cure from leprosy. Healing touches every part of our lives, physically and spiritually. To many, the healing comes as broken lives are made whole again, others a very physical release from suffering and for some a restoration of the bond between creator and created.
The touch of Jesus means different things to different people. Where there is great need, Jesus is there to touch. What is needed is the faith of the blind and the dumb man and many others who were humble enough to admit they were in need and recognize that only Jesus could satisfy that need.
Sometimes the touch of Jesus can be a Quieting Touch. There are times when life becomes stressful and we need the peace that only Jesus can give.
The touch of Jesus can be a Reassuring Touch. At the Transfiguration, when Jesus was seen in the presence of Moses and Elijah the disciples fell to the ground in terror. Jesus came up to them and said, Do not be afraid.
For Jesus to touch us, we must be willing to reach out and touch Him. If we recognize He can and will bring the healing, quieting or reassuring touch, He can and will reach out and touch our lives with that touch that means wholeness.
We too can reach out to others. Everyday many of us meet people who are crying out for a healing touch.
Touching, reaching out, can consist of a smile, a kind word, taking time to sit and chat. It is in reaching out in live to others that people can have life to the full.
We are called to heal
perhaps not to cure
but we are called to take the risk
dare to heal
dare to reach out
Perhaps to heal.
By Helen McLaughlin
Community Member
The White Strand at Fahan written by Fr Neal Carlin
by A Member of the Community on 01/10/12
The flow of the tide
the gentle glow of the sun,
the quiet breeze upon my face,
the crackle of the sea shells beneath the sharp spikes of the running shoes we wore in those days gone by.
Today, as I muse upon these sensations it is like a well conducted chorus of sounds and feelings playing in rhythm.
They pay tribute to a life fully lived.
They recall the days of joy, of athletics, of fishing.
We sat quietly along the sand hills near the beach
Listening for the white trout to jump at night, or to splash and dip the net.
The elements of air, sea , sand and shell awake beautiful memories of the sheltered place we call Fahan. It seems to me that our fun and joy were united with the men of prayer who sanctified this ancient monastic place with their psalms sung day and night to glorify the king, the Lord of land and sea and of all people.
Fr. Neal Carlin
