The Pointer May 2021
Rector The Rt Rev Darren McCartney 028 4175 3497 suffragan1@gmail.com
The Magazine of the Church of Ireland Parishes of Clonallon & Warrenpoint with Kilbroney in the Diocese of Down and Dromore
Photograph: @DeeJayDready/PA
Images of Slieve Donard on fire and the town of Newcastle in the foreground have been shared around the world. Hard to imagine this is within our own Kingdom of Mourne and not pictures from California or Australia. Firefighters had spent more than three days tackling the fire before it was brought under control and we are all most appreciative for their commitment, sacrifice and labour. I could not but think, that for each firefighter and emergency worker deployed, was a concerned family at home waiting to hear from their loved one. At some point the fire would have started as a small ember and with a little fuel and oxygen burst into a flame. The conditions were right for it to spread and it spread fast. The conditions reminded me of a very practical book, that I really like very much, in the New Testament. This book was referred to, in a bit of a put down by Martin Luther, as the “Epistle of Straw”. Straw as you can imagine is pretty good fuel for a fire and, believe it or not, we hear about fire in the “Epistle of Straw.” The letter that I am referring to is James, a book that I love for its practical guidance for those seeking to live
out the Christian Faith. James refers to the tongue as a fire in chapter three and he asks us to consider how a large forest is set on fire by a small spark. It is so very down to earth and practical and reminds us that “we all stumble” in verse 2. The pictures of Slieve Donard on fire and the major efforts to put it out reminded me of this little letter of James and how James sought to help the early believers live out the Christian Faith. What a picture he paints as well, comparing the tongue to a fire that can do a lot of damage. I find it important to remind myself how my words have potential for good, for building up and encouragement or they can be destructive and damaging. I had a lecturer who taught that within the Hebrew Culture, words were very powerful and “when spoken went out to do a work, be it good or be it destructive and could not be taken back”. So, I invite you to pray with me, “Lord help me to consider how the words I speak will affect the world around me.” Blessings +Darren