John O'Shea

Died on September 29, 2019

Berkely Lawns, formerly of Noreview, Thomastown, Kilkenny.

John died on the 29th of September 2019 peacefully, at Aut Even Hospital Kilkenny. Deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving family, brother Gerard, sister in law Maura, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews, relatives and close friends. MAY JOHN REST IN PEACE. Reposing at St. Columba’s Hospital Chapel, Thomastown, from 4 o’clock on Tuesday with rosary and vigil prayers at 7 o’clock. Funeral to arrive at the Church of the Assumption, Thomastown, for 11am Requiem Mass on Wednesday followed by interment in St. Mary’s New Cemetery, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. Family flowers only please, donations if desired to the R.N.L.I.

Date Published: Monday 30th September 2019

Date of Death: Sunday 29th September 2019

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Reflection

Jesus tells his disciples to look at him and touch him. Then he asks them for something to eat. What does Pope Francis say we can learn from these three actions of Jesus?
The second verb is to touch. By inviting the disciples to touch him, to verify that he is not a ghost—touch me!— Jesus indicates to them and to us that the relationship with him and with our brothers and sisters cannot remain “at a distance.” Christianity does not exist at a distance; Christianity does not exist only at the level of looking. Love requires looking and it also requires closeness; it requires contact, the sharing of life. The Good Samaritan did not limit himself to looking at that man whom he found half dead along the road: he stopped, he bent down, he treated his wounds, he touched him, he loaded him onto his mount and took him to the inn. And it is the same with Jesus himself: loving him means entering into a communion of life, a communion with him.
Being Christian is not first a doctrine or a moral ideal; it is a living relationship with him, with the Risen Lord: we look at him, we touch him, we are nourished by him and, transformed by his Love; we look at, touch and nourish others as brothers and sisters.
Pope Francis,