Photo was taken at Col√°iste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co.Cork

As we begin the first day of July I think this piece of artwork is appropriate with plenty to reflect on. It was put together for the 6th year graduation Mass in Col√°iste Choilm recently.

Thought on Thursday – July – 01/07/2010

‘Into each life some rain must fall. Some days must be dark and dreary.’ ~J Longfellow

It was officially confirmed yesterday, that June was the driest and hottest month in forty years(at least in Ireland anyway!). So it was nearly with welcome relief that the rain clouds pushed in last evening with a lovely sprinkling of rain. The rain clouds have also deeper spiritual meaning too. For all of us some days are indeed dark and dreary. We simply can’t avoid them. But we live in a culture of quick fixes which frequently uses the phrase ‘Get over it.’ Sadness is seen as something against the natural order and something that if present in our lives, we need to fix right away and get rid of it. It is never healthy to remain in sadness but it is always good to know how it affects us. Knowing that some days will be dark for all of us can help us to be more attuned to the presence of light in our lives. Jesus in our Gospels was not afraid to stand with people in their dark and sad moments. While others fled, Jesus remained. It was a clear reminder that brighter and more hopeful days would follow. They did and still do.