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Servants of God's Love |
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Fr. Locky's Page
As the New Year opened its doors ... Father Locky Flanagan CSSp shares his reflections
with MISSIONS TODAY. In the opening days of the New Year, I was celebrating a
funeral Mass, in the Maplot area of the parish. It was an outdoor celebration. The coffin was placed in front of the altar
table. The women-folk squatted and sat in the little forecourt, around the "box". Sitting close together in the shade of the
gable-end of the neighbour's shack were the men. In the alleyways and vantage points more people congregated. The air was
thick and humid. Children 'fidgeted and wiggled' among the people. A mango tree gave me shade from the hot bone-melting sun
- a 'life saver'.
As I celebrated Mass beneath our tree crucifix, there was a 'bang' like a stone hitting a door; a sideways glance and the non-reaction from my audience assured me that it wasn't a snake; it was a mango falling on the 'altar'. I continued. At the end of Mass, I sprinkled the 'coffin', expressed my sorrow to the late Geoffrey's wife, Agnes, and took my leave. On the morrow, the family would go to the man's home village for the burial. The relentless sun, the mango tree, the restless kids spoke to me of the great, great, likelihood of hunger. With 2004 now upon us, the rains are already two months late. Some good rain a week ago encouraged many to plant. "Please God, may it not be labour in vain". We
are entering the 'hunger months'; it is an awareness that lies deep in the consciousness of the people and in the children.
It is the season for mangos - a life saving source. Children, here in our tree-scarce, shantytown parish of Ndirande,
know where the mango trees are. The one at the back of our parish house has its predators. From my window recently I watched
seven under twelve girls cautiously but steadily enter our back 'garden'. Three of them climbed and began tossing down the
precious fruit to the 'gatherers'. I was 'gobsmacked'. Boys I could accept, but... girls? It was a first for me and yet girls
get hungry too and hunger can make one do 'desperate' things.
I wonder, do girls hunt mice? Certain field mice are a delicacy and children love hunting for them. I wonder too, do the kids climb trees to keep a look out for the little animals? When the supply is plentiful, they become budding entrepreneurs, and sell them by the roadside. I can't recall seeing girls sell them; however I must keep more alert when the 'rodent season' is upon us.
A tree at back of our house, a common thing, draws children. Simple things
cause life and give joy, and, I suspect, tell us something about the lifestyle of the little folk as they tread softly to
live out their dreams.
'Bang'
- there goes another mango, a rich food for the lean months, from a tree - source of New Life. |
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