Rite & Reason: The self-sacrifice of Jesus affects us more than you might think, and more than any saint ever did.
There may have been two St Patricks, and St Brigid might not have existed. But there are no doubts about JesusDocuments left behind by St Patrick are mentioned in the Book of Armagh, which is stored in Trinity College library. Photograph: Cyril ByrneThis year started innocuously enough. But we had scarcely left January before we were dragged through St Brigid’s Day. After being deluged with the reported goodwill for Brigid, I thought it was only right to perform the due diligence on her record.
Easter Monday was another vacuous, vaguely religious-sounding bank holiday as if Jesus was yet another saint. One thing he was not was a saint. Sorry, no halo, no ethereal glow. The ancient Hebrews who foretold a messiah didn’t promise one who would look at all special. The prophet Isaiah, the daddy of them all, specifically said that he would have “no special appearance that we should want to follow him”. You could have easily passed Jesus in the street.
I was in London at the turning of the millennium. To mark the occasion, Westminster City Council had commissioned the sculptor Mark Wallinger to produce a suitable piece to stand on a plinth at Trafalgar Square. Wallinger obliged by sculpting a life-size statue of Jesus, in a loin cloth, with a crown of thorns made out of barbed wire. Not everybody liked the statue.
I was so delighted with his letter that I phoned the bishop’s office right away and made an appointment to see him, so I could tell him, “you need to know that your attitude helps me get up in the morning”. The self-sacrifice of Jesus affects us more than you might think, and more than any saint ever did. We feel confident about discussing the precise date we give to Patrick as “432″. But where do we get the 432 from? It was 432 years after the birth of Jesus. Jesus is our benchmark.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FAI Cup wrap: Holders St Patricks’ Athletic knocked out by Derry CityDamien Duff’s Shelbourne labour to victory over Bray Wanderers
Read more »
Danny Dyer could play a flautist in wartime Budapest, Percy Bysshe Shelley or Jesus Christ. He’s just that goodInstead he must play a cockney geezer with a penchant for violence but a heart of gold, over and over. He’s good at that, too
Read more »
Bassekou Kouyate: ‘I am on a mission to promote my instrument, the ngoni, which predates Jesus Christ’The Malian musician is bringing his pioneering blend of old and new to Earagail Arts Festival, joining Úna Monaghan in a deliciously eclectic programme
Read more »
'Women's rugby was trying to exist in Ireland on the smell of an oily rag'David Nucifora said the IRFU failed to invest until Ireland Women hit a historic low.
Read more »
Solving the housing crisis requires new body empowered to clear blockages in systemHousing Delivery Oversight Executive recommended by Housing Commission would exist for five years and have the power to tackle barriers to housing supply
Read more »
James McClean has left fans in no doubt as to where his Euro 2024 loyalties lieWrexham and former Ireland winger James McClean’s latest Instagram story should come as no surprise to followers of the Derryman.
Read more »