The safe option is not always what we need

The Thinking Anew column in The Irish Times today.

Michael Commane

It is spectacular that in a world population of over seven billion each one of us is unique.

When it comes to someone being elected or appointed to high office a term that comes to mind is ‘a safe pair of hands’, at least that is, when the person is considered not to rock the boat. And so often we are more comfortable with the familiar.

Whether or not it is a complimentary or pejorative term may well depend on our own understanding of the word and our opinion of the particular person.

But when the safe pair of hands throws off that mantel and turns out to be an adventurous and prophetic leader there is a wonderful charm and excitement about what might happen.

In the present world of politics it might just turn out that Joe Biden, considered by many ‘a safe pair of hands’ may well turn out to be far more adventurous than people originally thought. 

One could look on Pope John XXIII as fitting that bill. He was a former diplomat. The elderly man was considered a caretaker pope on election but he went on to give an exciting life to the Catholic Church, indeed, his influence spread across all churches and indeed further.

Other names that come to mind are Gorbachev, and Merkel. Gorbachev was a loyal and true-blue member of the USSR Politburo and Merkel had a leadership role in the East German controlled Free German Youth. Both considered safe pairs of hands, who went on to show the world what imaginative and prophetic people they were.

It was exciting watching them develop and blossom in their roles and how they attempted to improve the lot of their citizens. Closer to home, Sean Lemass comes to mind, even among those who don’t support Fianna Fáil. Along with farsighted civil servant Ken Whitaker Lemass, who had spent his career in the political  shadow of Éamon de Valera merged and began the economic revolution which became the practical  realisation of Irish nationhood. 

Are churches far too tempted to go for the security of the safe pair of hands? And how often does it happen that the safe pair of hands breaks loose and goes on to be prophetic and exciting?

If ever it were needed, surely we in Ireland right now need a church leadership that has the humility and genius, the courage too, to inspire people to be impressed by the Word of God.

The new Catholic archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell has set up a task force titled ‘Building Hope’. 

Parishioners across the archdiocese have been asked to contribute their thoughts, their vision for the future of the archdiocese.

It would seem Dermot Farrell is hitting the ground running. But it is vital that he and his team listen to those who feel alienated and may have highly critical opinions to express, something John XXIII did.

The lesson writ large in tomorrow’s Gospel (Mark 4: 35 - 41) is that we should not be afraid. It’s so easy to hide behind fear, to use fear and security as tools to keep us in our bubbles and stave off the prevailing winds. And that’s exactly why Jesus is critical of his disciples as they battle with the sea winds.

Jesus offers them a new and exciting alternative. And when the wind drops they are astounded, surprised and realise that this man is offering them a hope for the future that is beyond their calculations. Out on that boat they realised that they have to recalibrate.

Is there anyone at senior leadership level in the Irish Christian churches willing to say that we are in trouble? Might someone have the temerity to suggest, calling in an outside agency to do a root and branch audit of church organisations in Ireland?

There is a faith reserve across Irish society that goes back centuries. It hasn’t been blown away by any wind or storm. Yes, it has been damaged but if we make a genuine effort in listening and summoning God to our side we will not be left wanting.

God’s love always wins out. During the life of Jesus and in his church what’s worked best has not always been the safe option. However you choose to describe him, the man from Galilee was never a safe pair of hands. And he is God too.