THE DROP

The Drop is the latest ad in the Guinness “Knowing What Matters” series, featuring characters who go out of their way in pursuit of what’s truly important in life.

At the outset we meet Seany, an intense young Irish-American on a mission. Quite what he’s looking for, we’re not sure, but we have a strong sense that he’s up to no good. We follow Seany on his increasingly frustrated quest through his blue-collar Brooklyn neighbourhood as friends and acquaintances declare themselves unable or unwilling to help him out. Finally, Seany’s luck turns – a contact leads him to a truck-stop diner where he picks up an ominous package.

We cut to Seany making his way stealthily into a suburban house and sneaking up on an old man sitting inside. The mysterious package is produced – and turns out to contain a pair of all-Ireland tickets. As his amazed father embraces him, the now-smiling Seany explains:

“It could be a long time before they make the finals again, Pops.”

It is truly amazing what some people will do in the pursuit of their dreams: athletes will hit the streets in all kinds of weather to get fit for that big race and to win the prize; actors and entertainers will go to the clubs and do their gigs in the hope of getting the recognition that will give them their big break; mothers and fathers make big sacrifices for their children.

Jesus calls for every believer” to take up his cross and follow” after him. While we in the developed world are currently called to make little sacrifice or suffer little persecution our churches are struggling to be relevant to the community, but our brothers and sisters in the under-developed world, who are daily paying a high price, are experiencing church growth. Why is that so?

The Tsunami of 2005 was just a reminder of how privileged we are in comparison to others- we are very fortunate that this community was able to present £1,750 to Christian Aid for the benefit of third- world families. How far are you willing to go to learn about being a disciple of Christ? What price are you willing to pay? It is truly amazing that we are willing to give generously to such far off communities where there are Muslims, Hindus and Sheiks and yet we find it so difficult to speak to some who are so near at home. Is it just possible that part of the price of following Jesus Christ is to find a way whereby we are able to agree to disagree and to do so agreeably? How much effort are we willing to make to reach out accross the sectarian divide?

In Jeremiah 35 the prophet describes how the Recabites showed such loyalty and obedience tro the instructions of their fathers while the Israelites have failed to obey God. If men will go to such lengths to obey other men and ancient customs why will they not obey God who is so much more worthy of obedience and trust?

Seany was willing to leave no stone unturned in his effort to seek out some tickets for his father because he loved him, how much more will the love of God move us? This is of eternal worth.

Patrick the politician?

What do you think Patrick, St Patrick that is, would think about the partition of Ireland? What would he have to say about priestly celibacy or the doctrine of the real presence? Do you think he would approve of the flying of the Union flag or the Tricolour of the Irish Republic? Did he speak Irish or English?

Why, you may ask, would anyone be asking questions like these? After all we have no reason to think that Patroick was even interested in the politics of his own day. He was a religious leader and his sphere of interest was in the spiritual realm. He was not even an Irishman butb then neither was Dev and unlike the unionists of our day he was not even born on this island. When he was growing up and when he ministered to the people of Ireland the label of Protestant or Catholic, or even Ropman Catholic had no meaning.

Is it not ironic that the flag that many will desire to take to the celebrations on the 17th March, [hopefully they will be disciplined and see evvery reason to take no flags with them] is not welcomed by the majority of people within this modern province of Ulster and yet so many fly it. It is not welcomed by the Republican section because it represents a PARTITIONIST Ireland and it is not welc0med by the unionist sector because it represents a brewak with the rest of the UK and rule from Rome. This is ironic when you take a look at the flag- on it is represented the two religious communities in equal measure even though they are certainly not numerically equal. Is it not also ironic theat the Union flag which clearly recognises the flag of St Patrick, is not welcomed by the Republicans and forgotten by the unionists.

If the city hall is bedecked with the tricolour on the 17th of March the cross- community aspect will be lost and there will be a danger of someone somewhere reacting and causing trouble which will send community relations back by years. It is time for Protestants to re-capture Patrick- for too ,ong he has been seen as a catholic or nationalist saint when he is no such thing- his sainthood is solely based on his faith in Christ and nothing else. Patrick ids our saint and he could be a figure of unity instead of disunity.

It is also time for the gaelicisation of Patrick to cease- we need to make him a modern figure for a modern Ireland. With all due respect we should stop misusing him for our own political purposes

Patrick was a man of faith in Christ and his ministry was one of reconciliation ans that is our ministry also. Christ destroyed all the barriers between God and man and between Jew and Gentile, male and female, slave and free. March the 17th could be a day when this community is turned round, when we show the world that it is possible to differ and yet respect each other and that we are, at last, growing up to be a mature political people- no one is being asked to end their political convictions just to realise that not everyone shares them. have lived in the Republic of ireland for nearly 15 years and I come from Northen Irealand and have returned to Belfast and know that it is possible to live as a peculiar people and even to revel in that distinction.

Lets depoliticise this man Patrick and celebrate his gospel message- the message of Christ in a new Ireland with a new breed of Irishmen!!