Welcome to a special space designed just for you to explore and reflect on the Sunday Gospels! Here, you’ll find insights that help make the messages of the Gospel come alive in your everyday life.
You might be wondering about the difference between a homily and a reflection. A homily is typically delivered during Mass, focusing on the teachings of the Gospel and how they connect to our faith. On the other hand, a reflection invites you to think deeper about the scripture, encouraging personal thoughts and feelings.
This area is your opportunity to break open the Gospel, connecting its themes to your own experiences. Whether you’re looking to gain understanding, find inspiration, or simply ponder life through the lens of the Gospel, you’re in the right place. Dive in, and let’s journey through these powerful messages together!
We aim to update these regularly with various Deacons and those training to become Deacons contributing!
In this Sundays Gospel we read about the wedding at Cana in Galilee. While most commentators all talk about the miracle that Jesus did at the wedding at the behest of his mother Mary. That of changing the water into wine, but what is also interesting is the relationship between mother and son, while no one ever doubts the love Jesus had for his mother or the devotion that Mary had for Jesus. At the wedding when his mother said to Jesus “they have no wine.” It is Jesus’ response that is interesting when he says “woman, why turn to me”? whatever Jesus’ response meant, it did not stop Mary. In fact, Mary would go on to say to the servant’s “do whatever he tells you.” Which shows what faith Mary had in Jesus and trust that Jesus would do something. Its seems that Mary became a disciple of Jesus. Likewise, we too need to follow Marys perfect example in becoming a disciple of Jesus and ask God for our needs and have faith and trust in him to be able to provide for us. So always ask Mary to help you when you are in need, Jesus will always listen to his mother.
Mary Mother of God pray for us.
“They have no wine.” “Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not yet come.” Jesus was being clear to His mother that this was not the time He intended to begin His ministry, and yet He did what His mother asked Him and ensured that the wedding was a great feast, that the Bride and Groom began their wedding with a joyful celebration.
An act of kindness on Jesus’ part indeed, but more importantly, Jesus changes His plans to help His Mother, someone who cared for Him throughout His life, but perhaps even more importantly, someone who knew Him intimately and who loved Him and never left Him.
Mary answered God’s request to be the Mother of Jesus; she followed His instructions, cared for Jesus, cried when she watched Him in agony at His Crucifixion and Death, and waited in the upper room for Him to return. A lifetime of Mary showing Jesus love and loyalty!
So how could Jesus refuse her? They had such a close relationship.
There is a saying that churches flourish in times of war! The saying comes from the fact that more people turn to prayer in times of turmoil in their lives.
Certainly, for me, there was a time my prayers increased when I needed help with something, when someone was ill, or during a challenging time in my life.
I wonder, why is that the case? Why do we feel we need to pray more during challenging times, like illness, war, etc.?
Perhaps what we should really be doing is trying to build a stable relationship with Christ, beginning a routine of prayer, ensuring that our day begins and ends with prayer, attending weekday Mass if possible, and spending a little time reflecting on scripture daily, ultimately building up an intimate and loving relationship with Christ.
I am not suggesting that by doing this we will get everything we ask Jesus for, and when we don’t get what we want, that’s when we need to remain loyal to Him and understand that He has a plan. A routine of prayer would mean that we had a stronger relationship with the person we are asking to help us.
I recall going to the wake for a religious sister; the sister had been ill for some time. When I went into the convent, I offered my condolences to one of the other sisters. She looked at me and, in a very gentle voice, said, “Brendan, don’t be sorry. It will be wonderful for her to be gazing into the eyes of the Lord tonight.” I think that was one of the biggest realizations for me; someday I hope to be able to gaze into the eyes of the Lord, so I want to get to know Him as much as I can now so that I recognize Him as a best friend when we meet. And so, a routine of prayer also prepares us for the day that we hope to look into the eyes of Christ.
This passage tells us of the benefits of knowing Jesus. The Bride and Groom invited Jesus to the wedding, and we hear how much of a benefit it was to them that He was with them, that they invited Jesus into their life. We are also reminded about the benefit of having Mary intercede for us as she did for the wedding party.
So let us take from today’s Gospel three messages that may help us in our lives:
One – Invite Jesus into our life, be loyal to Him even on the difficult days, and build up a relationship with Him.
Two – Remember that Mary is the Mother to us all, and she will intercede for us.
Three – It is always easier to go on a journey with someone we know, so let’s not wait for God to call us home; let's get to know Him now so we are simply traveling with a friend.
If we can do this, then just like the six jars of water, our life will be transformed with Christ and will overflow with an abundance of grace, joy, and love.
Anyone who has attended a baptism recently will recall the scene upon arriving at the church: the family seated eagerly, anticipating the start of the service. The mother, father, and godparents, alongside the child, sit with a mix of excitement and nervousness as they await the ceremony. They are greeted warmly at the door by the priest or deacon, and the celebration begins with the Word of God. The child is then anointed with the oil of catechumens, and the family renounces sin while professing their faith. Next, the child is baptized with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Following this, the child is anointed with Chrism oil, symbolizing the anointing of kings, and the godparents light a candle, signifying the child's reception of the light of Christ.
You might be wondering, "Why is he sharing this?" Most of us don't remember our own baptisms, having been infants at the time. However, it's essential to reflect on what we received when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist—the descent of the Holy Spirit. At our own baptisms, that same Holy Spirit came upon us.
Pope Francis emphasizes the significance of baptism and its celebration, the Church even dedicates a day to commemorate the Baptism of Jesus. A few years ago, the Pope asked a crowd in St. Peter's Square if they remembered the day of their baptism. He encouraged them to discover its date, as it marks a new birthday—the day they were born into a life of grace. So, the next time you witness a baptism and observe the ceremony, remember the gifts of grace from the Holy Spirit bestowed upon the child. Also, recall that you have received these same gifts. As you celebrate the child's baptism, take a moment to celebrate your own, expressing gratitude to God for the invaluable gifts you have been given—gifts that cannot be purchased.
Today’s Gospel is probably one of the longer gospels we hear during the year, and unlike the other weeks this Gospel passage is read every year and doesn’t follow the normal 3-year cycle, this is because St John tells us perfectly about the Incarnation of Christ.
This passage makes it clear how God who created the world, the animals, the land and sea and humankind chose to join us on earth in the form of Jesus Christ.
There is a lot in this passage to reflect on, far too much for me to speak about today let’s look at the just a couple of lines in this passage, “All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of humankind, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower”
Many of us will probably be taking our Christmas decorations down over these days, I love sitting in my living room looking at the Christmas tree lights, especially on a cold winter’s evening, I always think it’s very heart warming. Christmas tree lights of course began on trees as a representation of the Light of Christ. Today we still use candles to represent that light of Christ. However, today’s Gospel reminds us that the light of Christ is not something external it is internal, it is something that we as Christian carry within us.
At our Baptism we received the candle representing that family of faith and light that we were baptised into. The candle was, at that time, the outward expression of what is inside us. Our parents and Godparents took on a duty to guide us in our faith and to keep the light burning inside of us.
For some people the light has burned brightly, but for many of us, during difficult moments in our life, perhaps during our teenage years when faith or God wasn’t cool or during problems at work the light dimmed a little, but that light has never went out.
This gospel is a call for us took look after that light within us and to help others also.
How can we do this, well for ourselves it is about continually getting to know God better, read the Sunday Gospel at home and reflect on the passage or commit, as we begin this New Year to sit down faithfully for some time each day to be with God in prayer, either spoken prayer or silently just beginning simply by saying “Lord I want to spend time with you, open my heart” or for others it may mean a commitment to visiting Jesus in Adoration. Just please consider spending more time focusing on the Light of Christ within you.
I believe we also must help others, people who have wondered away from the faith over the years and who perhaps don’t know how to come back to it, you can be that invite, it doesn’t have to be an invite to Mass or even to the Church, it might be simply an invitation to pray with someone, someone who is lonely, sick or a neighbour or friend. You can help brighten that light because it is still there, perhaps just a little dimmer than it once was.
You and I are Blessed, we don’t have everything that we want, we may have worries, but we have something that will never leave us, we have the light of Christ within us.
I have a friend who taught for many years, and she told me about taking a school group to a church, she had been telling the Children about some of the Saints depicted in the stained-glass windows. During the week the local Parish Priest came into the school and asked the Children what they had been learning about religion, one child told the Priest they had learned about saints, she continued by saying that a saint is someone that the light shines through”
I’ve always thought that was a beautiful description of a person, so perhaps that is something that we could all try to do better, let us, you and I try this week to let the Light of Christ within us shine through to everyone we meet, not everyone will be having a good day, but a simple Hello can make it better for them.
Let us focus on carrying out the Mission similar to John the Baptist, leading people to the Light, the Light of Christ.
Today is the Feast of the Holy Family.
If you were to ask anyone to describe the perfect family or even their own family, they would only be able to talk about their experience of family life.
Some families have a mother and father, some families are based on one parent, and there are many other types of family. From the moment you are born, our parents love us, and so do all our family and friends.
Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, gives the foundation for all family life. For Paul, talking about the family of God and how we treat one another is essential. Paul tells us that as the Lord forgives us, so we must forgive others. For it is by letting the Lord Jesus come into our hearts that we share in the richness of Jesus' words and his ways.
In his letter, Paul instructs the Colossians on relationships, and even though his language may seem old-fashioned or strange, the message is still relevant as it is all based on love. He starts with the love of wives for their husbands, husbands' love for their wives, and parents' love for their children. It seems in his letter Paul recognized that relationships and family life can be difficult for everybody. It is hard to believe that was about two thousand years ago. Society hasn’t really changed that much when we look around the world; if anything, it seems to have gotten worse, with family breakups and children caught in the middle, and parents not involved in their children’s lives. The term family has changed, but we must look for the good and the betterment of all those concerned. As the Beatles song from the nineteen sixties says, ALL WE NEED IS LOVE, for love shows kindness, forgiveness, and how to forgive. It's also about our love for the Lord Jesus Christ and his influence on every aspect of our lives.
You are to be an example to your children. Parents, be a parent; don’t try to be a friend. Advise your children wisely, be like the father of the prodigal son, and be like the Lord who forgives us.
If we do all these things, the peace of Christ will reign in your heart. For when we act for the good of one part of the body, we act for the good of the whole body. Everything we do should be in the name of Jesus, for it is through him that we give thanks to the Father of all.
For what is a Holy Family but a family that lives in holiness?
We all know the passage read on this Christmas Day very well, the story of the birth of Jesus. Many of us will have played our part in the School Nativity play, when tea towels were placed on the heads of shepherds and communion dresses or white sheets were used for angels' costumes; of course, these were adorned with silver tinsel around two metal clothes hangers, which provided excellent wings.
Today, things have changed. Many of the nativity plays have sadly gone, and if I ask people if they are ready for Christmas, they don’t talk about being ready for Christ; they talk about secular things. They haven’t got the outside lights up, they still have gifts to buy, they haven’t got new clothes for the Christmas work party, they have to book a visit to Santa, their hairdressing or nail appointment is still to be made, or the house still needs to be cleaned.
There isn’t anything wrong with those things, but it is important that when we are preparing for these secular things, we do not forget to prepare ourselves. We cannot forget the reason for the season; we cannot forget the birth of Christ.
The Nativity story is still one that most of us could recite without any need for a script, and it is our role to ensure this story is still told and spread because it is more than just a story; it is the path to love. Yes, the Nativity does give us the account of Christ’s birth, but it is only the beginning of the story, a story that has not yet ended.
Some believe the story ended with Christ’s death and resurrection; however, we know that Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection could be better described as the introduction. The story continues because we are the continuation.
We have spent Advent preparing for Christ’s birth, and perhaps some people feel that they have accomplished it, that they are prepared. If you are, then I congratulate you; you are better prepared than I am.
While I journeyed through the four weeks of Advent, I certainly accomplished some of the preparation. I attended Sunday Mass each week, Confession, and Adoration, but I don’t feel that I am quite prepared for this Christmas Day. However, I am content with where I am, even though everything isn’t perfect.
I am content because I can look back on the Nativity and realize that things were not perfect there either. Yes, the perfect child was born, but a child who was born in a stable surrounded by livestock. A child who, before His birth, was rejected by the innkeepers who could not make room for Him. A child who, from His birth, had people wishing to kill Him. However, despite all these things, a child who was surrounded by pure love and a child who loves us.
So, as we begin our Christmas celebrations, let us take an example from the Nativity. Let us listen for God’s voice and answer Him positively, as Mary did when she gave her yes to accepting Jesus into her womb. Unlike the innkeepers, let us make room for Christ in our homes, and let us spread the message that He came to give, the message of love. Love to our family, friends and the stranger.
If we have love in our hearts, and if we can share that love with our family and friends at Christmas and throughout the year, then that is how we can continue the Nativity story; that is how we can continue to bring the joy to the world that Christ brought.
A joyous Christmas to you all!
We have reached the 4th Sunday in Advent, with just one week to go to Christmas. Most people are rushing around trying to find gifts or finish up projects at work for the holidays.
For me this has been a week of memories of a person who journeyed with me and my brother deacons, through doubts, frustrations, laughter and then, a band of brothers, seeing the pandemic through on weekly get-togethers on Zoom to boost each other’s morale.
At times none of us knew whether we would make it to the end. Of the 14 who started in the propaedeutic year only six began the diaconate studies. For one reason or another the journey had come to an end for 8 of us.
For the following two years things were as normal as could be. Michael (not his real name) often arrived late but had good reason. Unlike most of us who only travelled a few miles to be in Dromintine, Michael’s journey often started several continents away with multiple flights. He could have been in Afghanistan or from New York, where he may have been involved in some kind of mediation to bring two warring sides together.
Michael always brought a fresh perspective to our conversations and challenged our perspectives, making us think differently. Yet, he was always humble, uncertain of his capabilities of study as his own academic ventures, to him, seemed so far away, when he studied for an honour’s degree at Queens University in Belfast some forty years ago.
I heard recently that while at Queens he was involved in setting up a counselling service for students, with a colleague who became a lifetime friend of his. The same person mentored Michael through the diaconate having previously travelled the same path a few years before.
Michael had a rich fascination for monastic chant and music. Arranging a weekend for his cohort of diaconate students up to Portglenone, where we all rose early, as in 2pm and 4pm, to join the monks of Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey, part of the Cistercian Order under the Rule of St. Benedict. A journey of seclusion with communal intercession and contemplative prayer. This way of life supported by manual labour and craftwork. The chants were of interest some but not to everyone’s taste. However, through gentle persuasion, Michael managed to nurture within us all as sense of this form of spirituality in our prayer life.
We all felt our journey to become deacons could end at any time. During the pandemic one in our group felt his path lay elsewhere. He had retired and needed to be involved with others, and so become a porter in a local hospital. Very much at service for the community and he thrives in that role. He also continues to support the rest of us, being present at our ordination last January. He still is very much part of our brotherhood.
Five of us were ordained. Three from Armagh Diocese and two from Dromore Diocese. We were thankful we were able to be ordained together as none of us saw ourselves as being separate but as one group.
Over the past eleven months we have each been designated parishes to serve. Michael was in Rostrevor. Formation weekends were set up for us and Michael was at all but the last one. He had come off his bicycle and complications ensued. I only found out because when I found myself in hospital and was telling the lads through WhatsApp, it turned out he was just two floors below where I was. He was in good spirit, telling us the ‘craic’ in his ward.
I went home and a few days later so do Michael. Over the last weekend, I had gone to the formation weekend at Dromintine with others who were ordained deacons. We had heard Michael was back in hospital so kept him in our prayers. We all believed it would be a short stay and he would be home, as before. Sadly, last Tuesday, 13th December, we were sent a message to say he had passed away.
For those of us who journeyed with Michael into the diaconate, it is still hard to take in. He is with us. He is in our thoughts. I see his smile. Images of him with his puppets used to entertain his grandchildren. He is part of us, as a brother.
On Saturday we will all be in Newry Cathedral at his funeral mass to say goodbye.
Though we are just a week away from Christmas, the stark realities of life are ever present, just as they were for St. Joseph as he pondered divorcing Mary, knowing she was carrying someone else’s child. He didn’t want to disgrace her, so he intended to do it informally. But it was an angel who encouraged Joseph to stay the course and see things through, because the child was special, conceived through the Holy Spirit and Joseph had been chosen to be Mary’s spouse.
We must all remember, in difficult times, when we don’t know how to go on, ‘God is with us’ and will help us get through. When Joseph woke, he took his wife, Mary home. What we who remain are encouraged to remember is that Our Lord Jesus Christ has taken our friend home. Michael’s journey is complete, and it is time for him to rest in peace.
I had the opportunity this week of going to the Cinema with family to watch the 1940’s classic Christmas movie “it’s a wonderful life” which I highly recommend. The movie has become for me a kind of preparation for Christmas, not because it has Santa or lots of lights but because it demonstrates humanity at it’s best.
The movie follows the character of George Bailey through the turmoil of his life displaying sentiments of Love, Joy, and forgiveness opposite that of greed, selfishness and hatred.
The film ends heart-warmingly with the Hymn “Oh come all yeah faithful” the first line of which could be used to describe the call from God for the week ahead, today we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, Latin for rejoice, we are called to Rejoice, to “Come all yeah faithful, Joyful and Triumphant”.
When we reflect on Luke’s Gospel today, we might believe that it was easy for people to follow John message telling the crowds, tax collectors and soldiers to change their ways. However, it would have been difficult to change, difficult because it was the common practice. Common for people to think of themselves above others, common to take more than needed so the tax collector could become richer, common for the soldiers to be ruthless and threat the non-roman people however they liked, being violent to them and enjoying the pain they were causing. This however is what John told them they must do to prepare for the Lord.
Unfortunately, a lot of these things are still prevalent today in our world, there are many people who look down on others for various reasons, perhaps because they are homeless, disabled, have a different colour of skin or have a smaller house. We still have people who are greedy and make money from those in desperate situations, money lenders with huge interest rates, landlords seeking extortionate amounts of rent for small accommodation which is barely habitable. We have drug dealers encouraging people to try drugs and charging huge prices to the addicted, all the time causing huge amount of illness to them and their families.
John message is for each of us, we may not be the greedy landlord or the drug dealer but all of us are called to review the way we live and the way we treat each other.
This week is one of rejoicing, the Celebration of the Birth of Christ is almost with us, we are called to rejoice and spread the message of Christ delivered by John in this week’s Gospel to everyone, and we are called to live it ourselves.
We can share what we have, for example we can donate to our local soup kitchen or to the work of Trocaire. We can look at how we treat our fellow human beings and consider if we have treated each other with the dignity and respect that Christ offered throughout his Ministry.
So, no matter how difficult it is to change, that is what we are asked to do.
God, knowing all that He does realises that despite our best efforts we will fail at times to be the best version of ourselves and that is why He gifted us the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we have the opportunity to ask God to forgive us our sins through Confession. So let us make use of that Sacrament asking the Lord to forgive us for the sins of the past and step forward free from our past failings and rejoicing that we are Gods people and we will follow his message by being the best version of our self. Let us also demonstrate our faith as we journey through advent, let us show others that we are Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant because God is with us.
Returning to the Movie, the outcome is Joyful because good people, rich and poor, from every race unite in both Prayer and Action, together each doing what they can. They demonstrate that Love conquers evil always as long as we work together.
So let us try to improve our world by being the best version of ourselves and let us pray that our example will change the hearts of those, who, in our society treat people badly, that damages people and families for their own greed and enjoyment.
As our Entrance Antiphon today proclaimed “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near” Let us share the news that the Lord is near to everyone we meet this week by spreading Love and Care to everyone.
In this week’s Gospel we see people from all walks of life coming to John the Baptist and asking him how to live their lives. By asking him “what must we do?” It is clear that these are people who are truly seeking guidance. But what is striking is John’s response to them. It is by no means harsh, or over burdensome but it is fair. This is far removed from the fire and brimstone John we see at the outset. For those who have plenty, share with those who have none. To the tax collector’s he tells them to take no more than their rate. So, this Sunday, we too must ask ourselves with the help of God what is it that we must do? To live the life that God is asking of us. And at times this will be somewhat of a challenge, because you might not get the answer you want! But if you are truly seeking, God will reveal what it is that God wants of you. But we must not forget, that while at times it might be difficult. We too like the three kings in the Christmas story can lay are troubles in front of the child Jesus. And like the three kings we could find ourselves returning to our daily lives but this time by a different path. A path not of our own making, but of that which the Lord wants us to take.
Today, in our Gospel, Saint Luke tells us, "A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill laid low; winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God."
As I reflect on this passage during the season of Advent—a time of preparation—I believe it encourages us to examine how we are getting ready for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.
Many of us have likely seen the humorous comic on social media depicting how the first Silent Night occurred—Mary expressing her frustration to Joseph for not securing a place to stay in Bethlehem. While this scenario may not be historically accurate, it does impart a lesson.
God, knowing that Mary was to bring His Son into the world, did not ensure that there was room for them in a guest house. Because of that, we can adore Baby Jesus in a stable.
Though there wasn’t the luxury of a hotel, the stable offered something eternally valuable—Love.
Today’s Gospel prompts us to prepare for Jesus, to prepare for Love. In today’s world, many of us spend excessive time decorating our homes to resemble something out of a magazine, succumbing to road rage as we shop for gifts, booking appointments for hair, tanning, or makeup, and searching for new clothes for Christmas. We must pause and ask ourselves—why?
While there is nothing inherently wrong with many of these activities (though road rage is certainly to be avoided), we should reflect on where, amidst all of this, we are genuinely preparing for Jesus.
Are the gifts we purchase for others intended to express our love, or are they merely obligations we feel compelled to fulfil? Is our home decorated so beautifully to honour Jesus, or to impress visitors with a perfect façade?
Is Christmas merely about our outward appearance, or is it about what truly lies within us?
I would argue that Christmas is about welcoming Jesus and embracing the values the Holy Family imparted to us. They taught us that it doesn’t matter how our homes are decorated or what we look like; what truly matters is that our lives and homes are filled with Love—for our family members, neighbours, and friends. They demonstrated that it is okay to give of ourselves; the shepherds came to Jesus with nothing but their love and devotion, while the Magi offered what they had.
My suggestion is that we express our love for our families, strive to mend broken relationships, and give what we already possess to others: our friendship, our support in difficult times, and the assurance that they can count on us during life's challenges—that is something money can’t buy.
So, let us take a moment today to reflect on what is truly important. If welcoming Jesus is our priority, then let’s consider the kind of welcome He desires. If it’s merely about having fun with presents and style, then perhaps some of us may not need to change at all.
Short Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent - Luke 3:1-6 by a Trainee Deacon
In this passage, Luke recounts John the Baptist's message of repentance and forgiveness of sins, urging us to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus. We can do this by examining our own lives and rejecting earthly distractions that fail to provide lasting fulfilment, such as the pursuit of power, money, and possessions, which offer only temporary joy. True happiness arises from following God's path, as revealed in the Good News brought to us by our Lord Jesus. He teaches us about the Father's ways, emphasizing that it is only by embracing these principles that we can find salvation and genuine joy. As a result, all humanity will come to witness the salvation of God.
The Season of Advent
This Sunday marks the first Sunday of advent, it is a time when as Christians we look forward to the coming of Christ. The term Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus which means ‘arrival. This is also reflected in this Sundays Gospel when we hear the words “be on guard,” for the coming of the son of Man. While the Gospel is talking about the end of the world, in very stark language. One cannot help seeing some parallels with what is happening on the world stage. There is a verse in the Gospel that I think is worth reflection on when it says, “hold your heads high”. We must never forget why we celebrate advent, why we look forward to the coming of Christ. It is only on that first Christmas night when Mary gave birth to Jesus that God has taken on human form. It is in that moment that Christ gives humanity a dignity. Which is greater than anything we could hope to have. God became man so it is in that light that we can hold our heads high. At the heart of the Gospel is a message of hope. It is telling us that while there might be trouble on the world stage, we as Christians should not allow ourselves to get caught up in it. But rather look to Christ our true hope. So, I conclude with the words of Jesus himself: "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.”
On reading this Gospel it’s hard to believe that it was written nearly two thousand years ago. Looking now at our world, the weather is upside down, the oceans are overflowing and yes, we were all frightened of dying when covid came along.
Luke then goes on to talk about drunkenness and with debauchery in his time, you could nearly think he is describing many Friday and Saturday nights in some of our towns and cities were morals have all but disappeared. The value of life in our world has become so cheap, with governments throughout the world passing laws to allow us to have the right to take our own lives if we are ill in body and mind, but who decides?
I remember laughing at the signs quoting the end of the world is nigh – it doesn’t feel too far way now.
What Luke is describing in his Gospel is the second coming, but he gave us an assurance, that we as disciples of Jesus should stand up, lift our heads heavenwards in faith and joy, because when the world is nigh, we will know our redemption is near, so we need not fear.
