Irish Times service in Unitarian church

The few words below is a contribution made by Michael Commane at a service today at the Unitarian church for deceased staff of The Irish Times

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
St John begins his Gospel talking about the Word becoming flesh. Of course he is talking about the Word of God – God.

St John describes Jesus as Word. At the time of Jesus, many Jews spoke Aramaic. As in other Jewish traditions, out of reverence, they did not speak aloud the special name of God that had been revealed to them. (Christians pronounce this word as Yahweh.) Instead they often spoke of the “Word of God”.

Christians place great emphasis on God’s word we talk about the Good News
Words are extraordinary tools.

As a Dominican I belong to an order that has truth as its motto. The Latin word, Veritas
You will see it emblazoned on the school uniforms in Muckross, Newbridge, Ballyfermot and the Falls Road

Having worked with The Kerryman as a sub editor for a number of years and with The Irish News and from my experience as a contributor for this newspaper and INM regionals I am conscious of the power of the word.

But most of all my Dominican priesthood is about preaching the Word – the Word of God. It really is daunting to approach such a subject.

Most Irish people were greatly touched with what Queen Elizabeth and President Obama had to say on their recent visits to Ireland.

Queen Elizabeth spoke genuine words at Dublin Castle and Barack Obama - one of the Moneygall Obamas – is a powerful orator.

People believed their words. There was a genuine link between word and listener.
Words do matter. We tell the truth through words.

People in the newspaper trade are dealing on a daily basis with words – it is what your trade is all about. You trade in words and with words and the responsibility that brings.
Words can lift people up but they can also knock us flat on our face. Words can wind us and wound us.

It is the job of the newspaper to tell the story in as objective a manner as possible. But it is also the job of the newspaper to tell the story to as many people as possible.

You have a high duty of care to your readership and over a long period of time you have shown great courage and commitment. It is something about which you have every reason to be proud.

Today we remember Irish Times staff who have passed on. We also pray for their families and friends.

Every time we speak and write the truth we are making the Word of God present in the world.
Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday - the giving of the Spirit to the world. I’m reminded of Yeats’
Sailing to Byzantium:

O sages standing in God’s holy fire
As in the gold mosaic of a wall
Come from the holy fire, perne in a gyre,
And be the singing masters of my soul.