The Shawshank Redemption is a film made in 1994 by Frank Darabont and tells of Andy, an American banker, who was imprisoned after being wrongly convicted of murdering his wife. He struggles to keep hope alive in this grim world. Having become a trusted prisoner with exceptional freedom, one day he takes over the control tower and plays on the loudspeakers music from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.Everyone stops and is transformed. Beauty has opened up another world to them in which they are not just criminals but people who can dare to hope again for a human life.
Great composers like Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Handel open up for us a most beautiful world. Many modern musicians and singers like Van Morrison do the same. We will always need musicians and artists to touch our souls.
We also can learn from the stories contained in our religious faith. The Prodigal Son experienced this joy when he was received back into the family by his father and when the community had a party for him with music and dancing. Sadly, his older brother was not impressed and was not prepared to forgive and forget. He was not prepared to love his brother as the father loved them both. He was not prepared to allow the grace of God to work in the life of his brother. What became of this older brother we do not know but if he did not learn to forgive and show some mercy like the father, we can only guess he became an embittered old man.
Keeping hope alive is often a big challenge for all of us in a world where there is corruption, violence and greed. It is especially challenging for those in prison. It is a challenge for the disadvantaged in society given the alienation and the constant attacks on the poor by those in power.
Beauty still exists in many forms and it can lift us up and make us dare to hope for a more humane world where justice reigns. Come to think of it that’s what some of the old prophets were saying.
The tragic story of Sean Lynch from Derry prompted me to post this reflection. Our prison system is very cruel and totally unsuitable for people suffering from addiction or mental illness. I wish Sean Lynch’s family every blessing and I hope they get all the support they need.
Remembering my understanding for the first time, the uplifting poetic words of encouragement that dissapated the uncertainty and angst of my youth.
I can still hear Mr. Flanaghan RIP quite voice of patience and explanation after nearly 40 years.Some teachers impart more than mere information.
‘Say not the Struggle nought Availeth’
(Arthur Clough)
Say not the struggle nought availeth,
The labour and the wounds are vain,
The enemy faints not, nor faileth,
And as things have been they remain.
If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;
It may be, in yon smoke concealed,
Your comrades chase e’en now the fliers,
And, but for you, possess the field.
GRMA Jude for continued great articles from Joe McVeigh
Love those lines, Hugh…
our prison system is very cruel and totally unsuitable for people suffering from addiction and mental illness……….and being catholics.
you only need to look at the tattoos on the screws arms.
I agree with your point about the prison system, however, there is a duty of care under existing Mental Health legislation to provide appropriate services for vulnerable individuals. Prisoners and their families should not have to hope for services.
As far as you can, hold your confidence./Do not allow your confusion to squander/This call which is loosening/Your roots in false ground,/That you might come free/From all you had outgrown.
For the Interim Time John O ‘Donohue