This week we were treated by the media to bodies on the beach and they weren’t the sunbathing variety either! This was newsreels of men of the Allied Forces landing on the beaches of Normandy under sustained enemy gunfire which left half of the 6,000 soldiers dead on the sand.

It was the 60^th anniversary of “The Longest Day”. A few survivors of the onslaught survived to join the participating nation’s current leaders to remember the lessons of war. Hopefully some will have learned their lessons.

At the other side of the world another commemoration was not happening!

It was the 25^th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing. The authorities studiously avoided any hint of remembrance by locking up all the artistic types and free thinkers! By contrast on the island of Hong Kong they have a freer regime. There very large crowds filled the public spaces as they remembered the un-numbered masses who were crushed to death when they brought in the tanks and had their bodies ground into the surface of the square in 1989.

Back home the naming of the 796 dead babies found in the grounds of the Bon Secours Home drew attention to the high mortality rate and unmarked graves which featured in children’s homes in the earlier part of last century.

This story went round the world when the journalists learned that some remains had been found in sceptic tank

We will now no doubt learn of a number of other such homes where, due to similar crowded conditions and the presence of infectious diseases, there would have been higher than average mortality rates. In those days we were still looking for a treatment for infections which today we see as commonplace or have been eradicated completely.

In each of the three news items those who died did not die naturally. In most cases their death would have been violent and in other cases it would have been disease.

When an infant dies the adult has the consolation of the scriptures, 1 Samuel Chapter 12 verses 22-23 where David recognises he cannot bring his son back from the dead but he can go to him.

For those killed in conflict each one had lived out his allotted life-span. No ones death took God by surprise. St Paul put it simply when preaching to the pagan worshipping Athenians. “From one man he made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth, and he determined the times set for them” Acts Chapter 17 verse 26.

In the violence many would have died helping others. Some may have taken the bullet to save a comrade and in that way shown something of the sacrificial love that Jesus showed for sinners on the cross. And it’s there at the cross that forgiveness and peace are found and the battle worn and all who are weary of this world find their strength.

The closure of “All Hallows” College in Dublin last week has brought to light the plight of colleges offering courses in theology, ethics and social justice in a society which no longer rates these subjects highly.

In conjunction with many other such colleges they lack the money to continue despite the fact that they are asset rich. The discovery of the “Kennedy letters” (correspondence between Jacqueline Kennedy and a Priest) in the College were put up for sale then withdrawn at the request of the Kennedy family. Had they been sold the money raised would have been barely adequate to keep the College open for another year.

Apparently a recent inventory of the contents of the library revealed many valuable items some of which are now missing. It seems the fate of these College libraries is to be plundered.

Hopefully the library in Maynooth will be better protected. It contains 800 year old Bibles, presumably the Latin Septuagint, along with, what a Journalist called, the first printed Bible dated 1482. The latter may have been the English translation in the common tongue carried out by John Wycliffe. This was not to the liking of his fellow academics who said, “The jewel of the clergy has become the toy of the laity.”

In the same vein William Tyndale 100 years later translated the Bible into English using the Hebrew and Greek texts. He also took advantage of the recently invented printing press producing Bibles which could be read by the common man breaking the monopoly of the literate elite.

However there is a danger that these old copies of Scripture can be treated as a talisman. There is a tendency towards superstition where we revere the bones of the person rather than work of the person, or the antiquity of the book rather than its content. The Bible, commenting on its uses writes, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy Chapter 3 verses 16/17.

The “Man of God” could read the Scriptures all his life and it would do him little good. Studying them does not get you to heaven. Jesus said it! “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” St John Chapter 5 verses 39/40. First turn to the lifegiver and trust this same Jesus who speaks today from His Word the Bible.

There cannot be many softer targets for well armed soldiers to engage than the kidnapping of teenage schoolgirls. These heavily armed men of the Muslin Boko Haram tribe in the name of Allah raided the dormitory of a girl’s school. The raid was carried out in the middle of the night, darkness permitting some to escape but the majority, well over 100, were taken captive. This was on 14^th April and apart from videos produced by their captors no trace of the girls has been found.

One Muslin media outlet commenting on the international attention being given to the disgraceful nature of the schoolchildren’s kidnapping said it was giving the Mujahid (guerrilla soldiers) a bad name!

Boko Haram stands against all things Western of which Christian people, in their eyes, represent living symbols whose destruction or conversion pleases Allah. It should be added that they have not much time for any Muslim non-fundamentalist and non-jihadist institutions either. More recently they have shown a dislike for western education hence the burning of many schools and churches in North Eastern Nigeria.

In a video these militants say that they are following Allah’s instructions, to sell the girls, as they are his property. They are shown to be dressed as Muslins and are alleged to have converted to Islam. To prove it they are heard to be reciting the creed. A few of the girls have been forcibly married to their kidnappers so this matter is far from reaching a satisfactory conclusion.

In the Bible we have a somewhat similar situation with Joseph. He was taken prisoner by his brothers and sold into slavery. Later he was married to an Egyptian (Genesis Chapter 41 verse 45) and, in the will of God, saved many lives (Chapter 50 verse 20).

Because of his ability to bear failure and success with equal equanimity allowing neither to distract him from his sense of Devine calling Joseph resembles Jesus of whom it was said that “He set his face to go to Jerusalem” (St Luke Chapter 9 verse 51) ignoring all distractions. He did this in order to fulfill his destiny which he summed up in answer to Pilot, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” (St John Chapter 18 verse 37).

Whilst a dreadful injustice has been perpetuated on these girls those who have truly heard and responded in faith to Jesus’s voice belong to him and no amount of reciting of Islamic creeds can pluck them out of their heavenly Father’s hand (St John Chapter 10 verse 28).

When we left Ireland at the end of April, Charities were under scrutiny for concealing the truth about their money and when we came back this week we find the Garda have been in the dock over allegations of malpractice and incompetence. The news in America is very staid by comparison!

With the history of hatred hanging out of the “Informer” the modern version, the “Whistleblower”, has a psychological mountain to climb before he gives his first toot on his whistle! It must require great tenacity for truth to report misconduct which, in the case of the Garda if found guilty, could lead to criminal prosecution and discharge from the force. There is also loyalty to colleagues to be considered. You may be in circumstances where your life literally is in their hands so mutual trust must rank highly in your relationships.

Whistleblowers are to be commended especially when they know that they are unlikely to be believed and their careers will probably suffer as a result of their accusations.

This was the fate of the former executive of the Japanese Olympus Corporation who was speaking in Dublin this week at the European Insurance Forum. He had raised questions of the propriety of a $1.7billion deal which had nothing to do with the Corporations business. What disturbed him most was not so much his dismissal but the withdrawl of support by his colleagues in the aftermath of his sacking.

To the Bible reader it all sounds familiar. Even Jesus’s most loyal disciple was no better than the rest. ”Then all the disciples deserted him and fled” St Matthew Chapter 26 verse 56. To make a stand for truth always has implications both for the one standing for it and those who, if they are not for it, are against it. There is no middle ground. Truth knows of no compromise.

Pilot preferred compromise! He claimed to be ignorant of truth when the truth incarnate in the form of Jesus Christ was standing in front of him St John Chapter 18 verse 38.

To live for Jesus is to tell the truth. But this will not happen unless we are first embraced by the Truth. Turn to Him, the Way, the Truth and the Life

St John Chapter 14 verse 6.

Easter has come and gone and perhaps we should reflect on what an impact religion has made on the world we live in and also on ourselves.

In a popular move in Rome Pope Francis will canonise two of his predecessors. They meet their Church’s requirements and so Pope John Paul 11 and Pope John XX111 will become Saints of Rome. All this is planned for tomorrow in front of a large crowd including our Taoiseach.

On the other side of the world in Japan the Yasukuni Shrine is again in the news. It is the place where the historical imperial Japan lives on. In addition to being a war memorial it is the last resting place of 14 leaders of the Japanese war effort who were tried and executed by the War Crimes Tribunal. Their bodies were secretly enshrined there by the Shinto Priests who also continue to believe their Emperor is a deity. It’s one place where Barak Obama will not be visiting this coming week although he may not be able to prevent the Prime Minister from stirring up nationalism by going there again.

Turning from the outward trappings of religion to the inward and personal place where God meets with us as individuals. Please forgive a personal illustration as, in this area; no one can speak for another.

I was around the age of 26 when I professed faith in Jesus acknowledging him to be my Saviour from my sins. It took me by surprise as I certainly had not planned it! “He died for me” became a reality (Galatians chapter 2 verse 20).

A deeper inward joy came with the realisation that the whole ceremonial law, with its multiple offerings enabling the repentant to get right with God, exploded in majestic fulfilment at the cross.

Sinless blood had been shed for me, the sinner. God’s lamb was the offering. The law, in all its forms, had been kept by Christ removing the curse of its perpetual guilt (Galatians chapter 3 verse 13). “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians chapter 5 verse 1).

Easter stands as a reminder that the Christian enjoys a freedom, under Christ’s governance, that truly liberates and allows for joyful service.

Two were found to be guilty and the other released! The first of the trails into the affairs of Irish Banking during those fateful years -2007/2008, when boom turned to bust, was played out this week.

We learned that when the Bank is about to go bust the best job is to have is the non-executive chairman and the best place to be is on holiday in the South of France. So Sean Fitzpatrick goes free, that is till the autumn when he returns to the courts to answer more questions.

The interesting thing about the case was the absence of the boss David Drumm. He was enjoying his freedom in the US from where be cannot be extradited as what he was charged with is not an offence there. So for the ex-CEO of Anglo the best job to have is to be is operating as a consultant in the US far removed from the 47 day trial which has just ended.

The supporting cast of Lawyers, Advisors and the Regulator provided the defence with plenty of material till on day 19 the Judge decreed that there could be no further mention of legal advice leaving the two accused with only the Regulator to help them. He was of little use as he couldn’t remember a thing and sadly had not taken any notes of the key meetings.

The deal itself was a last ditch effort to save the bank by involving 10 of their wealthy customers to purchase shares in the bank using the bank’s money (loaned to them on unbelievably favourable terms) to prop up the share value. Sean Quinn, whose dabbling in the bank’s shares had created the mess, had his family involved in the scheme but, without the favourable terms making their loans legitimate.

The trial ending as it did in Holy Week bore some resemblance to the trial of Jesus. There Barabbas, although guilty as sin, was allowed to go free. The crowd got their way but here in Ireland things are slower and it may be some time yet before the population see justice for the €64 billion bale-out which they will be re-paying for the rest of their lives.

The glory of Jesus’s mis-trial was that in it we can see clearly the plan of God. As St Paul put it, in the death of Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

This message is that Christ died for our sins (as if he had committed them), that he was buried and that he rose again on the third day. Reconciliation with Bankers may not be possible in this life but reconciliation with God certainly is.

(2Corinthians chapter 5 verses 17/21)

Many of our prejudices against ‘all things British’ were dissolved this week by the smiles and friendliness of the Queen and our President. The four day State visit to the UK, with multiple speeches creating multiple opportunities to blunder, was navigated with aplomb on both sides. Pride replaced prejudice and filtered through the four classical definitions of the word in a healthy way.

Pride of Race. This is something which has bedevilled many nations and could easily have reared its ugly head to put one over on the other side. Thankfully there was no such point-scoring. Instead there was genuine appreciation for the qualities each race brought to the others wellbeing.

Pride of Face. Perhaps it was the age of those involved that precluded any display of physical attributes. The attire of all involved was appropriate for the occasion whether it was at Windsor Castle or the Albert Hall. Some may have thought that Michael D could have done with a haircut but it would be churlish to dwell on the matter!

Pride of Place. There cannot have been many times in the past that immigrants could said to have been ‘living in both the shadow and shelter of each other’ as the President so eloquently put it. This visit however has enabled the Irish immigrant to emerge from the shadows with pride in his or her roots and be glad to be Irish.

Pride of Grace. There was no question of one religion vying with another for supremacy. There were traces of Christian values in the mutual recognition of past wrongs and the symbolic gestures of contrition. In addition there was the grace that welcomed the former enemy and sat down to eat with him. Also humility was evident in the Queen’s commitment to be represented at the centenary of the 1916 Rising.

‘Hope and History’ may yet rhyme as the poet longed for.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”

1Peter Chapter 5 verse 5.

There is no doubt but that the Brits are in a league of their own when it comes to State visits. Better than anyone they can turn on the style. Recipient of this treatment in the coming week will be our President Higgins with his wife Sabina.

Everyone who is anyone will be there. Over the three days many hands will be shaken and words found to extol the virtues of both countries.

Feeding off the back of the Northern Ireland “Peace Process” the Royal Banquet at Windsor Castle in honour of President Higgins will be an unmissable affair. However some may hesitate. Perhaps it is understandable that Martin McGuinness, the former IRA Leader, has not yet accepted the invitation as he has much to lose as well as much to gain by his being there. His attendance would be significant.

The Queen has already set the scene by inviting members of the Irish community in Britain to Buckingham palace last week. There she renewed her acquaintance with the Cork fishmonger with whom she formed a friendship on her visit here two years ago.

It is good to have these signs of a closer relationship as they may have to withstand the turmoil of Scottish Independence and the UK leaving the EU in the near future. There are implications for Northern Ireland should either of these events materialise.

The Bible indicated that Jesus kept some strange company and never more so than at his death when he was hung between two criminals. One of them repented and, in his own way, committed himself to Jesus. St Luke records the dialogue, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”(Chapter 23 verses 42/43).

So the ex-criminal was included in the guest list of the heavenly banquet joining that multitude from every tribe and language and people and nation – the redeemed by Jesus, Revelation Chapter 5 verses 9/10.

Banquets on earth can be great occasions where mutual trust can be developed but there is always the possibility of misunderstandings, they are a work in progress.

Banquets in heaven will be attended by those in whom Jesus has finished the work of the new creation they will be eternally complete in their Saviour whom they serve in love (Revelation Chapter 19 verses 6/8).

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.

Queues formed at various venues in the U.K. last night as Same-Sex Couples vied for the distinction of being the first to tie the marriage knot under the new legislation permitting same-sex “marriage” which came into force today.

Marriage in the Bible has taking quite a hammering over the years going from the excesses of Solomon to the Pauline virtue of celibacy. One thing however has remained constant and that is the condemnation of homosexuality in all its forms.

Unfortunately heterosexual marriage has not come through the last century unscathed. The ideal of the loving parents who are honoured by their children as embodied in the Commandment (Exodus Chapter 20) has come under sustained attack. The depiction of adultery as commonplace by the media, arts, etc has lowered the expectation of fidelity in marriage. The availability of divorce for non-Biblical reasons has further undermined its status.

The post-christian culture has no Biblical boundaries to assist decision making so that people are left to follow societal norms.

Children and young people in our schools are increasingly being introduced to the Gay agenda. Under the flawed notion that it will prevent bullying, pupils are taught that Gay is O.K. But an even more flagrant abuse of Biblical norms is the instruction that pupils need to try out sex with both sexes to see which one they prefer.

In contrast the Bible advocates abstinence before marriage which is one man and one woman in a lifelong heterosexual relationship.

No matter how often the Gay lobby says it, Same-Sex “Marriage” is not equal to Marriage. Indeed the only time the Bible uses the word “equality” in connection with marriage is to prohibit marriage between a Christian and an unbeliever “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2Corinthians Chapter 6 verse 14).

The Gay community has been misled. It does not matter how often you use the expression “Marriage equality” it will not make something which is different the same.

The Gospel however does not mislead. It calls us to turn our backs on self-centered behaviour to a sacrificial loving lifelong relationship with Jesus who sacrificed everything for sinners such as us. Look beyond the world’s agenda and follow Him.

When Christine was 3 weeks old she was placed in the first of a number of foster homes until at the age of 4 she entered St. Vincent’s Industrial School, in Goldenbridge, run by the Sisters of Mercy. This was the year 1950.

She was the daughter of 31-year-old married woman and a 20-year-old Nigerian medical student both of whom she tried to contact later in life, the latter successfully and members of the family came from Nigeria to her funeral in Dublin earlier this month.

There is no doubt that back in the ‘50ies children like Christine were especially vulnerable to abuse in the Industrial School system as there was little supervision and no one to turn to for help. In spite of the horrendous treatment she received Christine was able to complete her leaving certificate and went on to become a nurse. She went public with an account of the years of abuse in 1992 and her courage enabled other survivors to tell their stories.

That was the year she heard from her father who wrote a letter addressing her as “Dear Daughter”. These two words became the title of a documentary exposing the conditions. Later that year when her father came to Ireland they were invited to the Gay Byrne show to tell their story. These events produced a huge response from other victims seeking help to rebuild their lives and, in some cases, to trace their parents.

Christine co-founded the Aislinn Centre to cater for their needs and the Government set up the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse and the Residential Institutions Redress Board. She continued to campaign tirelessly on behalf of victims and in 2012 she was conferred with an honorary doctorate of laws by Trinity College.

She surprised some of her friends by arranging a Catholic funeral. The service was led by the Archbishop of Dublin who acknowledged the injustices done by both Church and State. Surely this was something more than a confession to a corpse. Perhaps it was a recognition that all wrongs will be addressed either in this life or the next.

The Bible’s preference is the former. In fact Jesus said “at once”. Just as soon as you realise your error. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (St Matthew Chapter 5 verses 23/24).

The truth is it took a long time for Christine and the Church to get together. It often does when bad things are allowed to go on for years. It took courage to stand against Church and State. And it took courage for Church and State to admit to those sins. Sadly some who were responsible may not have repented. Jesus says not to attempt worship but first put right the wrong you have committed.

Christine Buckley’s last act shows that forgiveness is possible. The lesson is do it now!