Fr Jim Cogley
In my role as a priest, I regularly have the privilege of accompanying and ministering to those who are dying. This affords a unique vantage point to reflect on what is inevitable for us all. I grew up with the idea that even after having lived a wayward life, a death bed conversion was always possible – that was unless one happened to be very unlucky, and the burglar called death ‘broke through the wall of your house at an hour you least expected ‘. Such thinking was quite common, but also very limited, insofar as it did not take into consideration that the souls ripening into maturity is a slow process. However valid a death-bed conversion might be, soul maturation is a process that can take a long-long time, and the sooner we give our sacred ‘yes’ to the Lord in an act of surrender, the quicker that process can begin. It is extremely sad to meet someone at the end of the way and sense that their soul journey has not yet started.
I feel privileged to know a few truly ripe souls. In scriptural terms they are like ‘first fruits’ of the harvest, whose value exceeds all that comes later. Close to Lady’s Island we have Carne that is renowned for its early potatoes, and these are most sought after and prized the most. Such individuals gave their sacred ‘yes’ to the Lord at an early stage and it is obvious that they have both experienced and been subjected to the slow work of grace throughout their lives. Over the years they have grown strong in their inner selves and even into their 80’s in the words of the psalm are, ‘like a tree planted beside a flowing stream, still full of sap and still green.’ They still lead very productive lives ‘and have no fear of evil days.’ To a large extent they have become what they have believed in. One in particular comes to mind, not as someone who has faith, but who is faith. That person is the embodiment of a lifetime belief and practice of goodness, kindness and generosity.
A great soul is someone like a light on a hilltop that is apparent for all to see. By their very presence they silence the superficial and intellectual arguments about the existence of God and the value of living a faith filled life. In such individuals it is obvious that they have embraced the path, walked the path, and become the path – like Christ who could say that he was the Way, the Truth and the Life. While we are all called to be light bearers, this is not as easy as it sounds and demands considerable courage. We tend to associate it with standing up for what we believe in, but we can well do that and still remain very hidden. Bringing our light from beneath the tub and allowing it to shine for everyone to see demands that we allow our shadow side to become so exposed that it too becomes a source of light. Great souls lose all interest in ‘respectability’ and keeping the good side out. Instead, they have become real in the acceptance of their broken humanity.
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