The very word summer conjures up a picture of warm sunny days when one did not seem to have a care in the world. Most people seem to remember a perfect summer that occurred when they were young. I surprised myself recently by remembering such a summer – or at least a week long period – which was perfect. I was a young priest and had been giving eight-day retreats, and feeling tired I was taking a break before commencing another.
I drove through rain to the west of Ireland. The next morning was glorious as I drove into the heart of Connemara, with the land stretching away in front of me for miles, the sky blue, the grass green, the sun warm, and not a soul in sight. Gradually I realised I was going in the wrong direction and eventually I stopped and tried to turn on the narrow road. The wheels of the Volkswagen sank into the turf on the verges of the road, and the more I revved the engine of the car the deeper the wheels sank into the turf. Finally I gave up attempting to drive free, and switched off the engine. Initially I lay in the sun enjoying the peace, and calmly awaited the arrival of help to lift the car free. Only gradually did I begin to worry. What if nobody travelled that lonely road? I could wait in vain for a long time. Even when I spied a small car in the distance a certain nervousness made me worry that it might be only a single person, or a couple of little old ladies, and we would be unable to lift the car. Imagine my surprise when four tall well-built young men emerged from the small car and found my predicament amusing. They took hold of my little beetle and lifted it as if it were a feather and turned it in the direction in which I wished to travel. Still laughing they jumped back into their car, and refusing any reward for their help, drove off. My perfect day was saved.
Is it going too far to say God sent these four young men to help me? I trust that God does take a fatherly care of us and saved my perfect day from becoming a nightmare. And God trusts that we human beings will bring his assistance to those in need. We are glad of the Good Samaritan who comes to our aid. It can take longer to realise that we are the Good Samaritan that God has arranged to be available to be today’s hands of Christ. When we respond, that’s when God says, ’You did it for me’.
John Looby S.J.,
Editor