Such a rich heritage from our ancestors, Padraig, and the eyes of your everyday Irishman has been blinded by the enemy. Rouse your ardor, Sweet Jesus, and as You once cleansed the Temple, with Patrick at your side, drive the snakes from Ireland once more! Our Lady of Knock, pray for us!
It is interesting that many of the graphics that accompany this hymn focus on Jesus, but if you listen carefully, the One who is referenced specifically is "Thou my great Father." In this is great joy: that no matter how old we happen to be, each of us is the Father's child. Romans 8: 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16 it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Safe on the Father's Lap!
I have read some books on Ancient Irish Spirituality , Terry, but never knew quite how to relate to it. For instance there is the Ancient Irish Tradition of , 'Cara Anam', or soul friend. Well I never had such a thing. I think when I regard Irish Spirituality I can relate to it is more modern than this and harks back to Penal Days. It is beautifully portrayed in the Apparition of Knock. It centres first and foremost to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Love of Our Holy Mother the Church. The Eucharist. Devotion to St Joseph. ..and enduring under trial. I find it so easy to relate to these.
I would say my grandmothers Faith would reflect my own very much. I suspect her Faith was the the Faith carried pretty well carried on for centuries, right through Penal Times. I can see myself so well in her. On the other hand if I go right back to the Ancient Irish , I can't really see myself so well. I would say i was very,very strong and simple. A lived Faith, so strong it became part of the air they breathed. So that to describe the Irish was to describe a Catholic, they almost seemed one and the same.
