‘“The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them.” ~Anonymous

I went to the ploughing last week in Co. Laois. It was a great day out but I have never seen so much mud and it was everywhere! Despite the presence of a metal floor track to walk through the main sections, one would have been completely lost without a pair of wellies. It was just essential wear and once you had a pair you could simply walk through every pool of mud knowing you were dry. It reminds me of the gift of faith and the importance of believing in something. Like a pair of wellies it especially helps you when conditions are difficult. Our faith also helps us through good days but especially when life is difficult and challenging.

Last Monday  (September 25th) was the feast of St. Finbarr. He is the patron saint of Cork and has very close ties with Gougane Barra in West Cork. This year marks the 1,400th anniversary of the death of St. Finbarr making today a significant day. The world that Finbarr lived in was radically different to the one we live in now. The world back then was much less complicated, life was lived simply with fewer distractions. But they too had their challenges and difficulties. Finbarr believed strongly that God was the one who gave us hope and strength to get us through everything.

This was the message that he brought from Gougane Barra to the people of Cork and beyond. His message is still so relevant today. It is also lovely that the feast of Saint Finbarr occurs during the Season of Creation which always happens during September. The Season of Creation encourages us to get out and about to appreciate the beauty of creation and to sense God’s presence in the beauty of nature. We can of course do it anywhere but a beautiful place to do it is of course Gougane Barra.

The Thought For The Week is updated each Monday