The Death of David

No. I'm not talking about King David from the Old Testament. My neighbour, with whom I had been building something of a friendship, has just died suddenly. He was only in his late forties, & leaves behind a devastated wife and 10 year old daughter. He had lost both his legs a few years ago when a drunk teen age "joy rider" in Dublin crashed into him. So he got around fairly sucessfully with artificial legs.

The thing is, as I was getting to know him a bit, I found myself reluctant to some extent to let him know what I worked at. It always seems to be a conversation stopper in Ireland.

"So, what do you work at yourself?" the conversation usually goes....

"Well I work as a pastor for a non-denominational church" says I usually.

"A what?" comes the usual reply, "I mean what's that?" they ask with a worried look coming over their face.

"Like a minister.."....

"You mean a priest?"

"Well, I am married, but yes, something like that."

"Oh right, well I'll catch you again I suppose, bye!"

Because of this, I normally keep that side of things discreet until I build a better rapport & trust with the person. Sometimes it makes sense when you can build that up over time and then gradually introduce it. But it also means that I keep quiet about my faith, which is the most important thing in my life. And when I think I have a long time to tell someone the Good News of what Jesus did in my life I can justify it.

But I thought I'd have years to tell David about Jesus. I was wrong.

I know he didn't have much of any kind of faith, a nominal Catholic like most Irish people. I failed David. And I don't know what the eternal consequences are.

If you know of any David's in your life, don't do what I did, saying nothing. Time is so short, shorter than most of us realise. And eternity is forever. God give us wisdom and courage, God give me wisdom and courage.........

An Taoiseach Nua

Tá Taoiseach nua againn, níl aon nuacht nua ansin. Ach, cad é an céad rud a thosaigh sé ag caint faoi? Bhí sé ag caint faoi an Teanga. Is é Brian Cowen an 3ú Taoiseach Gaelgóir i stair an Stát (os comhair 80 bhlian ar fad!) Tá a lán suim ag an Taoiseach nua i nGaelige. Agus, tá suim an teanga ag Enda Kenny an Ceannaire ó Fine Gael agus leis an Ceannaire Eamon Gilmore freisin, Gaelgóirí an trúir acu go léir. Agus le Trevor Sergant agus a lán duiní eile i measc an Dáil agus an Seannad.

Tá ceist agum. An bhfuil an Eaglais ag éisteaht? An bhfuil na tréadaí ag éisteacht? Nach bhfuil sé an tábhachtach ar fad. Nach bhfuil athrú ag na duiní faoi an teanga sa tír seo. Tá siad níos páirteach ná roimhe, ó barr go bun. Tá níos mó de na páistí i n-ár Eaglaisí ag dul go dtí na nGaelscoileanna. Tá níos mó suim ag na dúiní Chriostaí sa teanga, na dúiní Eireanach agus na dúiní as na tíortha eile. Tá an teanga níos tábhachtach ins an lá atá againn innubh ná a raibh sé. An bhfuil aon Gaelige a úsaíd i na hEaglaisí Soiscéalachi i nEireann. Ceapaim nach bhfuil. Tá cúpla focail againn i Pobal Chríostaí Grás gach Domhnach leis na amhrání agus an seanmóir. Ach, céard faoi na hEaglaisí eile? Bí ag éisteach a cáirde le nuacht an lá, nuacht an Tír, nuacht an Phobail. Mar, is é sin an chroí, is é sin an todhchaí!