Love is “always”…?

Only when absolutely necessary, use words!

Love communicates and often depends more on the language of gesture and actions than words. Such is the theme of Brian Friel’s play, Translations.  First there is the old man, his coat of better days, doubled around a slimmer body and held in place with an old rope, sitting in the corner reading the Love stories of the Daughters of Zeus in the original Greek. He is happy to translate but even without translation, his joy and enthusiasm alone speak to us.

What is that word ‘always’?

The most moving scene involves two young lovers, Yolland, a young English surveyor whose only language is English and Máire, who speaks only her native Gaelic. Yolland says to her: “I would tell you how beautiful you are”. Máire does not understand a word but encourages him to continue speaking.  Then he says: “I would tell you how I want to be here, to live always here – always – with you – always, always”-  the magic of the word “always” captivates her. She does not understand it but it sounds different because Yolland is different as he expresses it.  Máire replies: “always? What is that word always”?  Then she says in her native language: “I want to live with you – anywhere – anywhere at all – always – always”.    Yolland too is held captive by the mystery of the word and replies: “Always, what is that  word always”?

Always – forever – I gcónaí – siempre – toujours – saecula saeculorum  -

I am sure that in every culture and language that English word “always” carries a magical ring. In the language of religion it also has that deep meaning.  The beginning of John’s gospel starts with: “In the beginning was the Word”. Once I heard a great teacher say that “in the beginning” should be translated as “always”.  God is always. But more than that, the love of God is “always”.

You are “always” there for me.

There have been people who were “always” there for us and are still always there for us.  The challenge for today is to really see if I can “always” be there for others as God is always there for me. As in Friels play, words are not necessary. The “always” concept translates easily!

21st May, 2006
Fr. Michael McCullagh, C.M.