Fr Tim Mulroy highlights the consoling parallel between the challenges of a frail and forgetful Columban priest and a helpless newborn baby in the manger.
Even though the celebration of morning Mass for the Columban community in our house-chapel seemed like a burden for Fr Jack, he continued to add his name to the rostrum.
In his eighties, he struggled to put on his vestments; he fumbled his way through the missal; and he stumbled through the homily. For these reasons, his Columban confreres discouraged him from celebrating Mass in public in any of the local churches.
However, from time to time, the Korean migrant community invited Fr Jack to celebrate Mass. Since he had spent many years as a Columban missionary in Korea, such an invitation always delighted him. Knowing the various difficulties he experienced whenever he celebrated Mass with fellow Columbans in English, I had reservations about him celebrating Mass in public in Korean.
I shared those reservations with some members of the Korean migrant community. They acknowledged Fr Jack’s difficulties – yes, his message was frequently incoherent, and he was easily distracted. Yet, none of these limitations mattered much to them.
One of them explained, “We know that Fr Jack has various limitations now due to his advanced age, but we can never forget all the ways he supported and cared for us in this strange city over many decades. His presence continues to be a source of comfort to us, just like the presence within a family of a beloved grandfather who has grown frail and forgetful.”
While many of us younger and more active missionaries like to think of ourselves as engaged in various projects and programmes that bring about changes that impact our world, the truth is that much of the time all we can offer those around us is our presence. In several of our mission countries, political instability, corruption and poverty over many decades has resulted in widespread paralysis within society.
Missionaries feel as helpless as the local people to bring about much-needed change. But our willingness to remain with them, carry our own burdens alongside them, and trust that God is ever-present in the messiness of life, provides comfort, strength and hope to many around us.
Statues of the Holy Family with visitors from Peru. Photo: Fr Tim Mulroy.
During the Christmas season, as we ponder the manger scene, we come to the renewed realisation that Jesus came on mission among us as a helpless baby. He was incapable of doing or accomplishing anything, yet his presence among us as a baby remains an extraordinary gift. He is Emmanuel, God-with-us.
His presence itself reassures us that God is among us, and that he shares with us the burdens and joys of this world. Like a frail and forgetful grandparent, a helpless baby serves to remind us that, when we see others for who they truly are, rather than for what they can do, we catch a glimpse of Emmanuel, God’s mysterious and consoling presence amid the messiness of our world.
Fr Tim Mulroy is from Meelick, Co Mayo. He was ordained in 1995 and has served on mission in Japan and the US. He recently completed his term as Superior General.