Epic Healing

The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin

Personal Photo, 8/9/26

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Dublin

Personal Photo, 8/19/24

Upon arriving in Ireland, the "Land of Saints and Scholars," I found myself surrounded by captivating stories that not only preserved the past but also foretold future realities. These tales are deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness of the Irish people. Each day of my journey unveiled new and profound experiences that demanded thoughtful reflection.

After a red-eye flight, I stepped into the heart of Dublin, uncertain of my whereabouts yet eager to explore. Guided by a simple Google search, I discovered that I was merely a ten-minute walk from the National Maternity Hospital.

Elizabeth O’Farrell

Reception entrance - The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin

Inside, I encountered a plaque dedicated to Elizabeth O'Farrell, a woman previously unknown to me. As I delved into her story, I learned of her crucial role in the 1916 Easter Rising and her unwavering spirit, as she delivered the terms of surrender without conceding defeat.

The Book of Kells, folio 291f

Personal Photo

The following day, I was introduced to the Book of Kells, an exquisite illuminated manuscript of the Gospels. Created as an act of devotion and vocation in the 7th century, this treasure is just one of many cherished artifacts of the Irish people. 

As I continued my journey through Ireland, I encountered more profound stories of the nation's history and the vast Irish diaspora. These tales collectively weave a rich tapestry of epic and complex narratives centered on the pursuit of an abundant life.  

One summation was experienced in the EPIC museum at the end of our tour   It is the words of Ireland’s first woman president, Mary Robinson.

“In fact, I have become more convinced each year that this great narrative of dispossession and belonging, which so often had its origins in sorrow and leave-taking, has become, with a certain amount of historic irony, one of the treasures of our society. If that is so then our relation with the diaspora beyond our shores is one which can instruct our society in the values of diversity, tolerance and fair-mindedness.”

Mary Robinson, 7th  President of Ireland

The lives of Elizabeth O'Farrell and Mary Robinson, are testament to the epic narratives that inspire and sustain the people of this nation.  These stories continue to captivate the world.

To Ireland and its epic healing stories, I extend my deepest gratitude.

Marvin

References

Elizabeth O'Farrell

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_O'Farrell

Moss, R. (2024) Uncovering the mysteries of The Book of Kells – from myopic monks on magic mushrooms to superhuman detail

https://theconversation.com/uncovering-the-mysteries-of-the-book-of-kells-from-myopic-monks-on-magic-mushrooms-to-superhuman-detail-221147

Cherishing the Irish Diaspora

President Mary Robinson on a matter of Public Importance 2 February 1995

https://president.ie/en/media-library/speeches/cherishing-the-irish-diaspora

Hage, M. L. (2023). Healing Myths.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2023/06/healing-myths.html

 

Healing the Spaces between Us

 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, 

I was a stranger and you invited me in

Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

A new friend in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

Summer travel is a ritual for many and comes in different forms.  It is more than just going to new places.  That was the case for my wife and me as we traveled to Nova Scotia.  It was a preplanned itinerary from Canada by Design.  We wanted to be surprised and learn about our neighbors to the North.

We were not disappointed!   The people we met were generous with their conversation.  We learned about their lives.  We noted their courtesy in their driving habits.  We saw the love of the place they lived.  I know we could easily be identified as tourists and an important part of the economy, but their interactions seemed more than transactional.

There were two surprises that we experienced that were about the values of this place.  While in Halifax at the beginning of our trip we visited the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.  This was an honest history of the reality of people on the move but certainly not on summer vacations.  They capture the complicated stories of both welcome and rejection.  It is the continued challenge of a multicultural world.

Bronze Sculpture outside Pier 21

The second surprise was another museum in Baddeck, Nova Scotia.  It was the Alexander Graham Bell Historic Site.  I always thought of this man as American, but he was born in Scotland and died in this small town of Baddeck.  He was a curious and ingenious person who began his many careers by helping the deaf to communicate. 

Alexander Graham Bell Historic Site

After his death, his secretary for many years, Catherine McKenzie, wrote a biography titled, “Alexander Graham Bell: The Man Who Contracted Space”.  His curiosity led to his ingenuity and his amazing career but his calling was to build relationships and connections between people.  We still have that challenge today.

References

McKenzie, C. (1928) Alexander Graham Bell: The Man Who Contracted Space

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015007047429&seq=7

Hage, M. L. (2016). Invited.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2016/01/invited.html

Hage, M. L. (2021). Strangers-Neighbors-Kin.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2021/05/strangers-neighbors-kin.html

Hage, M.L, (2024) Healing Disconnections

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2024/05/healing-disconnections.html

Spiritual Improvisation

 

Jazz Album Cover - 1996

“Traditioned innovation is a way of thinking and living 

that holds the past and future together in creative tension.”  

Hogue & Jones

“Children are so deeply rooted in the magic of the everyday 

that time is both abundant and completely stalled. 

There’s a full magic show going on all the time, 

but we grow up and get too busy to pay attention to it.”

Montague

One of my favorite music albums is “Loved Ones” by Ellis and Branford Marsalis.  The performance is built on the standards, but this father and son have fun and reimagine together new and beautiful music.  Could we use this kind of improvisation in our lives that brings new beauty to the world?

Others have written about ideas that merge restrictive categories and spaces.  What holds these ideas together is a different context for our actions.  This kind of innovation needs a sold basis combined with an imagination that can best be described as spiritual.  It looks for healing in playing that is one of those characteristics of youth that can deteriorate with age.  So we need to search, explore and play.  It brings meaning and joy to life.

 

The “Loved Ones” are all around us and we can come as children and play together even in those places that are filled with ritual.  It brings new dimensions to healing.

Marvin

p.s.  And then I received a copy of the Medical School Commencement Address from the University of Michigan.  The speaker, an ophthalmologist, has a clear vision of what medicine looks like and what it can become in the lives of these new physicians   It was an encouraging message!

References

Hogue, Andrew P.; Jones, L. Gregory. Navigating the Future (p. 18). Abingdon Press. Kindle Edition. 

Montague, Brad. Becoming Better Grownups (p. 52). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Hage, M. L. (2019). Resilient Improvisation.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2019/03/resilient-improvisation.html

Wayman, B. D.,(2021) Imagining the future of theological education

https://www.christiancentury.org/article/features/imagining-future-theological-education

Hage, M. L. (2012). Kingdom Learning.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2012/02/kingdom-learning.html

Hage, M. L. (2014). Humor and Healing.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2014/10/humor-and-healing.html

Healing Disconnections

Camino de Santiago

Photo Courtesy of Douglas Brouwer

“In other words, the religious ritual is 

typically embodied, synchronous, deep, and collective.”

Derek Thompson

There is evidence of the growing “aloneness” that has increased after the Covid pandemic and with widening chasms exacerbated by political rhetoric.  This is particularly an issue for faith communities!

I just finished reading a pre-pandemic book, “You are what you love: The spiritual power of habit.”, that makes the case for a transformational liturgical response.  Specifically. the author argues that religious “habits” bring meaning to our lives.  The transactional strategies are not working, so we need to revert to those practices that lead to deep change.  This is where we find love, joy and meaning. 

But isn’t there already some evidence of a post-pandemic renaissance?   Are we in a new era of cancer therapy because of RNA research?  Are we seeing an increase in educational opportunities because of increased access with new technology?  Are we seeing searching for meaning in our lives with the marked increase in “pilgrimage” travel? 

I believe we are at a “tipping point” where we will see other dimensions of our lives that are more connected and that some of the “old ways”, like pilgrimages, will be the sources of meaning and purpose.  What do you think?

Marvin

References

Thompson, D. (2024) The True Cost of the Churchgoing Bust

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/04/america-religion-decline-non-affiliated/677951/

Burge R.,(2024) Dropping Out of Everything

https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/dropping-out-of-everything?r=qvpaq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Murthy, V. H. (2020). Together : the healing power of human connection in a sometimes lonely world (First edition. ed.). New York, NY: Harper Wave, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Smith, J. K. A. (2016). You are what you love: The spiritual power of habit. Brazos Press.

Hage, M. L. (2011). Pilgrimage and Healing.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2011/02/pilgrimage-and-healing.html

Hage, M. L. (2020). Finding Joy.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2020/01/finding-joy.html

Hage, M. L. (2020). Healing Faith.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2020/06/healing-faith.html

Walker, K (2021) Pilgrimages could be the next post-covid travel trend

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/could-pilgrimages-be-the-next-post-covid-travel-trend#:~:text=More