Posted by George Morrison

An Epiphany of Dreams                   Word on the Week              4th January 2020.

The last decade in Ireland commemorated the centenary of the 1916 Rising and the decade we are entering promises many more of the same!   Community-led events are planned in the locations where they occurred historically and funding will be available to artists and writers by the Department of Culture.

As these centenaries affect communities on both sides of the border the Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund will also contribute.   The Department of Education is to re-establish the ‘Decade of Centenaries Irish History Competition’ for primary and post primary schools.   University College Cork’s School of History will also be involved.

Some of the events they have in mind are The War of Independence, Bloody Sunday, the Sacking of Balbriggan, the execution of Kevin Barry the Connaught Rangers Mutiny and the Civil War.

We are assured that the Government’s aim is to provide a “supportive structure so that the very difficult events that occurred during the struggle for independence will be remembered in a measured and non-partisan manner”.    Dream on!   One can begin to sympathise with the recent suggestion that History be dropped from the school curriculum!

All this takes place against a background of negotiations for a united Ireland.   Brexit affords an opportunity for the ‘Remainers’ in the Northern Ireland to bring their country into the European Union.    Then we could look forward for the ‘struggle for interdependence’ to begin!    Perhaps more dreams – but they are of a better tomorrow!

The Apostle Paul mentions another epiphany, this time it’s of the grace of God and is for all without distinction – there is no excluded group.   He writes; For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ,who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good (Titus Chapter 2 verses 11 to 14).

The Apostle looks forward to a day when the disparate tribes of Adam will find their unity as citizens in the Kingdom of God each redeemed by the blood of Christ.     Then our dreams will become a reality in His eternal reign (Revelation Chapter 11 Verse 15).