Scottish Catholic Observer

We all get weary, and can be tempted to switch off from evangelising and engaging in public debate. We can, however, find inspiration—God at work—all around us, if we are only prepared to look and recognise it. A recent television commercial for a well known Scandinavian furniture store, of all things, recently tapped into that vein when it stated: “Enjoy the little things in life. Maybe they are really the big things.” The firm was of course paraphrasing US author Kurt Vonnegut who famously said: “Enjoy the little things in life because one day you’ll look back and realise they were the big things.”

In this week’s SCO we report on inspiring events all around us—from the Devotion to Our Lady of Fatima demonstrated at the National Shrine to Our Lady in Carfin and at Christ the King Church, Howwood, Renfrewshire, on the feast of our Lady of Fatima to the St Margaret of Scotland pilgrimage planned in Dunfermline next month; from the opening of the St Mirin’s Chaplaincy in Paisley to the secondary school pupils heading to India to work with disabled people through SCIAF partner the Association of People with Disabilities (APD). And let’s not forget another best school nomination accolade for St Ninian’s High School in Kirkintilloch and pupil Jack Aitchison, 16, scoring on his debut for Celtic FC on Sunday, nor the three new candidates for the priesthood at Scots College who were recently accepted by Bishop Farrell.

It is all too easy, and understandable, however, that we all sometimes allow life to wear us down for the announcement of parish closures and the secularisation of society can be seen as a decline in faith. We may live in the first world but it is still not a utopia, many in our country are struggling even today with injustice and poverty. Indeed, things are sent to try us but it is often said that God does not send us more than we can cope with. God gives us hope; God is hope, and love, and mercy.

We all have special moments on our lives, big or small. We may not see them for what they are at the time they occur but if we allow them to bring us closer to God, and give thanks, then they can last beyond a lifetime. Also, if we come to God with our troubles, He can comfort us and help ease our pain.