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5th Sunday A,
Norwood
8 February 2026
My friends,
In 2021, a well-known Irish journalist published a book with the title “We don’t know ourselves.” It is a telling of the story of Ireland from 1958 when he was born, to 2020. It is both personal and public, historical and contemporary. It covers our shift, beginning in the 1950’s from a rural closed insular society, to a 21st century pluralist, open, prosperous nation. It has all happened in the span of two generations – all within an individual life span. Such has been the change, indeed transformation that as the title suggests “We don’t know ourselves”, partly by way of surprise and satisfaction. Yet partly also, that we are not quite sure where all the change and shift of culture and life leaves us. While many are thriving, many others are a bit punch drunk – anxious and confused. That seems especially the case with young people.
One feature of that period of time has been the change in religious practice and faith expression. Today’s Readings prompt us to think about how we have worked our own way through these turbulent waters for people of faith. Especially, when you consider we’re called to be leaven, salt of the earth and light of the world
We boast almost that we are a modern tolerant and pluralist society. We plead continually for calm, considered and rational debate to resolve our differences. But we know that we are being stifled by a political correctness, which ensures that nationally we are not addressing some of the underlying foundational issues that our daily news cycle exposes – deep fractures in the Irish family structure, horrific cases of domestic violence, routine use of cocaine.
We don’t know ourselves – it is fairly clear we or many don’t – we are running into more turbulent waters than we realise. There are emerging great economic and political uncertainties that will very quickly change life in Ireland again. It risks exposing the shallow progress we feel we have made.
The call of the Lord to be ‘salt of the earth’ and ‘light of the world’ is a call to be real, grounded and truthful.
“The just man will never waver
He will be remembered forever
He has no fear of evil news
With a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.” Resp. Psalm
In a climate of ‘political correctness’ it is testing for people of faith to witness to their belief and trust in God. Many of us are ashamed or reluctant to say a prayer together such is our felt intimidation that we might offend someone. It is not good if we censor ourselves, become the agents of placing the light/lamp of the Gospel under the tub or table lest we disturb another.
The book, “We don’t know ourselves” – tells the story of much progress and development for which we are thankful. It also catalogues some dark periods in the life of the Church – which we acknowledge and seek to come to terms. The great potential tragedy would be if our legacy of the Gospel and its guiding light were to be cast aside when we most need it personally and in society.
