In Search of Angels

The Scottish folk group 'Runrig' sing a beautiful song called 'In Search of Angels'. 'Runrig' were a Celtic rock group formed on the Isle of Skye in 1973; in their songs and music, they reflect the Scotland that they love in a way that, for me, the 'Saw Doctors' reflect life on Ireland's West Coast. Both groups are worth a listen as they explore simple, eternal truths and events in life that we can all relate to from a Sunday afternoon drive with the family to the beauty of a May morning. For me 'In Search of Angels' reflects the deeply human experience of those 'angels' who walk with us, especially in those difficult days that we all share. We are called to 'pick up the broken pieces from the ground'. COVID-19 is just one example, that has caused so many plans to be broken: I think of patient friends whose marriage ceremony has had to be postponed four times. What amazed me was their calm and resignation; we have had to roll with the psychological punches that the year has dealt us. Suddenly we see where our priorities lie and who, rather than what, is important to us. Like me, I suspect, you have discovered who has proved to be your real friends in times of crisis—people whom I thought would be with me for life, have, for whatever reason known to themselves, have chosen to ignore me. I have certainly experienced support and friendship coming from places I never thought possible. In the brokenness of life, it is a blessing to have any angels who can help you pick up the pieces and make help to make sense of crazy and shared experience. In so many ways, we are emerging from the pain of the pandemic with a stronger and more resilient spirit-the 'torment cannot wash away your grace':

Pick up the broken pieces from the ground

All your diminishing returns

And take a good look at the master plan

'Cause down here every candle burns

You are as gentle as the morning dawn

Torment can't wash away your grace

In search of angels...

The song, written by Calum McDonald and Rory McDonald, is also an homage to the beautiful islands that make up Uist in the Outer Hebrides. It is a place of great natural beauty and these months of isolation and lockdown have helped us to re-recognise the beauty of nature. We might not live in Uist, but I hope that an experience of lockdown will have allowed you to recognise God's hand at work in your garden, window display or local park. I hope you have been able to enjoy river walks, exploring the neighbourhood woods or climbing the local hill. I hope you have been able to discover just how beautiful the world is—just down the road from where you live. I hope support has come to you from the natural world; the song speaks of the 'red skies' at sundown that are 'so red they fill my eyes'. Perhaps it has taken a global disaster to help us appreciate the simple beauty of sunset; perhaps we were far too busy like Martha of Bethany that we cannot give ourselves time to relax with her sister, Mary and enjoy the better part. Only last week, I spent a good twenty minutes watching a beautiful full moon—something I have never done before. I always felt that there was too much to do and that I had to do it; I hope that those months of stillness have made me realise that I am no miracle worker—I simply work for him!

Tonight the skies are red

So red they fill my eyes

Sundown on barren words that can't describe Your island paradise

But I know that all's well with the world

In reflecting on this song, I see the angels without wings that work with us all, especially during the days of COVID. The angels who are all too human and can make mistakes, the angels who are animals: our pets who have been there for us unconditionally. We have had angelic experiences in the world of nature from the stunning and majestic power of the Lake District to your local park. The reality is that the angels have ALWAYS been there: the NHS staff have been there for decades; school staff have always been there to serve you and your children; shop workers have always stocked the shelves and stores, large or small, have served our needs. With 'Runrig', I invite you to 'beat the drum like a heartbeat' for these key workers who have stood by us, often in great personal difficulty and heartache. Their professionalism and example will shine clear long after this pandemic has ended. They help us to recognise that all us well with the world; even in the depth of a pandemic we have to proclaim the goodness and beauty of creation. We have been forced to make difficult journeys these past years: helping our children with home-schooling; making sure that our elderly neighbour had shopping; phoning around the family to see that they were safe; ensuring the wellbeing of vulnerable and lonely friends. We may have had to make the lonely pilgrimage to a funeral service of a loved one; we have had to move out of our comfort zones and take on responsibilities that we have probably never dreamed of. We are living 'in our borrowed hour', praying that life can return to a normality that was ours only a few short years ago.

But I know that all's well with the world

Don't worry anymore

Don't worry now

Too many seas to cross, too many roads

You leave me with my higher need

This one horizon in our borrowed hour

Such little lives we lead

The song ends on a note of real hope, which has to be the Christian response to even the bleakest of pandemics. It is a hope that our Salesian Rector Major, Don Angel SDB invites us to share. The hope, humour, care and concern that I have have received is just a tiny fraction of all the goodness that is out there. As the sun goes down I look forward, in hope, for another sunrise and yet another chance to move forward in faith. We walk together on holy ground; we walk in the shoulders of our ancestors, and we can make our own contribution to the goodness of the world. We have seen the goodness of angels in these days—a goodness that we share. Today, thank God for your angels and realise that you are an essential angel to others.

Don't worry anymore

Don't worry now

Another sun will rise

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Photo by Griffin Wooldridge on Unsplash