“A powerful one-off drama for BBC One, Fiona’s Story is a tale of trust, betrayal and the breakdown of a marriage.” This sentence taken from the “Press Pack” of last evenings TV production did little to prepare you for the terse drama which was to follow. Gina McKee stars as Fiona Mortimer, a woman who fights to hold her family together after her husband Simon, played by Jeremy Northam, is accused of downloading images of child sexual abuse from the Internet. Faced with public exposure, a court case and possible imprisonment, Simon admits to his wife that he “touched” their daughters and later appears to attempt suicide. Fiona’s struggle to protect the family, encourage her husband and find money to pay the bills is only the beginning of her troubles. It soon becomes apparent that Simon is living in denial and these feelings are shared by his father – “its only pictures”. Simon’s ability to hairbrush any initial guilt from his mind increased as the date for his trial is repeatedly postponed. His mother’s dismissal of the problem “men have these mid-life crises” leaves Fiona without anyone she can confide in and her plea that these images are real children, falls on deaf ears. Part of Simon’s defence is the proliferation of sexually charged images that bombard the eyes daily had desensitised him to the danger of becoming addicted. However instead of recognising the mess he is in he aggressively attacks Fiona for shielding the girls from him. The drama is played out to a finely crafted conclusion when the law case is dropped (Simon had been able to delete the most incriminating images from his computer) but Fiona left him in no doubt that he knows what he has done and she also knows. The listener is left with the hope that somehow the enormity of his guilt will dawn upon him and issue forth in repentance. Jesus may not have had access to TV or a computer but he did know how fallible we are and made himself clear that we need to separate from the sin even if the separation is as painful as losing life or limb: “if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where “‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ St Matthew Chapter 18 verses 6/9. Pornography is the snake in the grass of modern man. It goes largely unseen but has a poisonous bite which unless treated can be fatal. The treatment? Repent and place your life in Jesus’s hands. Pray that you will not enter temptation or, if already bitten, that Jesus may rescue you from this most destructive of addictions.

In a refreshingly forthright speech, Cardinal Brady took issue with the fact that the “the claims and influence of secularism and relativism have gone largely unchallenged in the Irish culture and media”. Indeed those driving the European agenda, which Pope John Paul II described as having a “loss of Christian memory” may need to be reminded that the European Convention on Human Rights has been build on a foundation of Judeo-Christian ethics. The removal of any reference to Christianity in the foundation of these rights has placed the European state in a value vacuum. Without the God given boundaries to govern human conduct there can be little confidence that the flow of anti-Christian decisions, listed by the Cardinal, will abate. Ireland and indeed Europe have become places where Christ is largely absent from its institutions. In his lecture this scene was contrasted with the US where last week the political contenders were brought together by a Pastor, who spent two hours interviewing them on the national media, on their faith in Christ and its implications as to how they would govern. By comparison, in Europe, having Christian convictions was enough the remove an Italian Politician from office. In the US the absence of such convictions are a handicap to being elected! Indeed the adoption of the “born again” label has occasionally been fraudulently used to garner votes! But people do not counterfeit things that are worthless and behind Jesus reply to Nicodemus’s probing’s as to how he might become a member of Christ’s Kingdom, “I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” lies an invitation to a transformed life. For Nicodemus putting his faith in Christ changed him from a fearful member of the Sanhedrin to a fearless disciple, defending him before the Pharisees and assisting in the burial of Jesus’s body. But before we can get born again politicians we need to have born again constituents. Christ will remain absent from the institutions of Europe until you and I demand a restoration of Christian values which will only come when our lives are committed to the risen Christ.

“What strikes me when I come back here is that someone is always going to a funeral.” The community aspect of funerals was highlighted in the comment made by someone returning from the UK for Cemetery Sunday. The cohesion of the community at funerals reflects respect for the dead and sorrow and support for the family. Cemetery Sunday provides an opportunity to renew these sentiments, strengthen family ties and renew the link with the past. Other cultures mark the right of passage in different ways. A Chinese friend, who had cared for his elderly father during his terminal illness, had a problem when it came to the burial. Ancestral worship was the family way but as both my friend and his father had come to trust in Jesus a Christian funeral was arranged. There would be no money buried with the deceased and no joss-sticks burned on the grave. Instead flowers were planted and tended emphasising love and respect for, but not worship of, the dead. We need to be guided by the Bible on this matter. The resurrection of Jesus from the grave transforms Cemetery Sunday from the gloom of the grave to the anticipated joy that awaits every believer in that great reunion St Paul spoke about; “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep”. Because of Jesus the sleep of death has been swallowed up in victory, a victory shared by everyone who places their trust in him.

The celebration marking to opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing must rank as favourite for the title “the greatest show on earth”. It was breathtaking as our senses were overwhelmed by the sheer scale and technical complexity of the “Birds Nest” stadium. The gravity denying deeds appeared to be miraculous. The bonus for China was that the flawless performance was witnessed by the global power-brokers from their seats in the arena. The Olympic slogan “One World, One Dream” and the 5 interlocking circles representing the 5 continents joined by sport bear testimony to the 204 competing countries. Behind the statistics lie years of gruelling training undergone by the competitors. St Paul was familiar with the rigours required by athletes. He encouraged the Christians at Corinth to adopt a similar lifestyle and to go all out for the prize. He wrote; “Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified. The Olympians looked for favours from their gods to help them win the prize. In China the number 8 carries the notion of good luck so the date 8.8.08 was deliberately chosen in the hope it would secure greater success. Entry to the Christian race is through faith in Christ. This is faith in the facts of his death, as our substitute and in his resurrection to eternal life, to ensure that every repentant entrant will be included. Symbols of luck are jettisoned and Christ is seen to be an adequate saviour for this world and the next. As St Paul said; “I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. In the end of the day that’s the only prize that matters. Trust him and press on.

Of all the definitions of faith I have heard this one is the latest! It is hard to comment on the one-liner which was used last week in the address to the annual gathering of the Legion of Mary at Knock except to say it was positive. It certainly beats the schoolboy’s “Faith is what you need to believe something that ain’t true”. Perhaps the most often heard injunction regarding faith is the phrase “Keep the faith”. Most who use it would be surprised to learn that it was first used by St Paul, in his final letter to Timothy. St Paul used it in the past tense “I have kept the faith”. The question is, what was this faith St Paul kept, all about? As the Apostle to the Gentiles he was well aware of the faith placed in the idols of his day. They abounded in every city he visited. He accused the people of “worshipping created things rather than the Creator”. He would probably say the same thing if he visited Ireland today! For St Paul his faith was in Christ. For him to live was Christ. He was sold out on Christ. His birth, life, death, resurrection and coming again resonated in him and in every Christian ever since. St Paul’s great boast was in death of Christ for him personally. He could stand before crowds and kings and explain with total conviction that “Christ died for me”. Now virtually everyone believes in the death of Christ but it is what one believes about the death of Christ that transforms lives from historians to believers. This is God given gift of faith which enables the sinner to see that his sins were laid on Christ who indeed died for him. Like learning to swim there comes a moment when you have to take your feet off the bottom, this faith turns into trusting totally in the work of Christ on your behalf. Saying yes to yes carries the merit of positive thinking and can make you feel good about yourself but Christian conviction comes when the truth of these four words “He died for me” break through the barrier of unbelief and fill the believer with wonder, love and praise. Further reading; Romans chapter 5 verses 6-11.

Warm sunshine and the attention of the media doubled the numbers climbing Croagh Patrick last Sunday. An astonishing 35/40,000 climbed the 2,510feet from the shores of Clew Bay to the boulder strewn summit. The televised Mass on the mountain top broadcast the beautiful singing of the choir sending the message that “Jesus Christ is Lord” around the world. In his homily the Archbishop, in a play on Christ’s words, expressed the view that faith may move mountains but prayed that “this holy mountain will move faith”. It seems that historically the mountain was not always holy. Prior to St Patrick, it appears to have been a place of pilgrimage for worshippers of local deities. The genius of St Patrick is seen in his relatively non-violent evangelisation of Ireland by his converting wells from pagan fertility rites to places of believers’ baptism. It is present again on the Reek, recounted in the legend, when he threw a silver bell down the side of the mountain, knocking the she-demon Corra from the sky, regaining the territory for the Gospel. The report of a journalist, interviewing pilgrims on their reasons for making the ascent, did not find much Gospel content nor did he find any seeking to accumulate merit from their bleeding feet. Of course, any value in self inflicted punishment is rendered void by Christ’s death on Mount Calvary. It is his blood, not ours, that paid for our sins. The receipt for this payment was given in his final triumphant cry “Tetelesti” indicating the payment had been made in full. The work has been done. Its faith in his work that liberates us. Going up the reek may be good for the constitution and for contemplation but pilgrims looking for freedom from the habits that wreck our lives need to come to Christ for the new life that he has promised. Further Reading – St John’s Gospel Chapter 3 verses 1 to 16.

Now that summer appears to have visited these shores and the school holidays are in full swing we can take time out to enjoy our many blessings. This is the blissful period between the end of term tests, now but a dim memory and the ominous prospect the results, still far enough removed not to intrude into the present enjoyment. As the poet has put it: – What is this life if full of care, We have no time to stand and stare? No time to linger beneath the bough And stare at horse or sheep or cow! Which brings me to another test – one which every stock farmer knows – the herd test. This devise, invented many years ago, to ensure the National herd is kept free from disease, keeps farmers and vets busy. Preparation consists of something akin to the Calgary stampede as all cattle irrespective of sex or age have to face the vet equipped with a computer in one hand and a needle in the other. Maintaining order in the face of threatening chaos requires the patience of Job and is not helped by the knowledge that the whole process has to be repeated 4 days later! Failure to pass the test is something no-one wants to contemplate and mercifully is becoming a rarity in Ireland today. Failure to pass the test prescribed by the doctor however is what produces the most consternation. To learn that the first tests were inconclusive and that you will have to go through it all again is even more depressing. To be told by friends to “cheer up it may never happen” is more a commentary on the friends’ lack of willingness to face facts when, in fact, it has happened. Those who have put their complete trust in Jesus, have the assurance of knowing that he has passed the last test in their place and the risen Saviour is now their Lord whose spirit is in them. As St Paul says at the end of his second letter to the church in Corinth, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise this about yourselves that Christ Jesus is in you? — unless, of course, you fail the test!” May none reading this fail the last test – put your trust in Jesus now.

We are not told in the Bible why God made Adam and Eve instead of Adam and Steve but it makes sense when a short time later he commands them to “be fruitful and multiply”. We are not told why the one man and one woman in lifelong monogamous relationship was the best arrangement to rear a family but we can see throughout Scripture the blessings it brought when it was not transgressed. We are not told why St Paul in his first letter to Timothy rules that, in the church, a woman should not teach or have authority over a man relating this back to the creation order, but at the very minimum it implies that gender matters. There are God-given roles which we breach at our peril. Once you say that gender doesn’t matter, it may seem to be a small thing, but you “sow to the wind and reap the whirlwind”. The consequences of our actions may not be apparent at the time but they will appear and there is no means of redress. We are told why there is an order in opposite sex marriage (the only marriage the Bible recognises). The husband is head of the house. He is to love his wife enough to die for her. The wife is to submit to her husband. She is to love him enough to live for him. Because we are sinners the roles are to be worked out in a setting of mutual forgiveness. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” But the underlying reason for marriage is simply that it provides us with a picture of Christ’s relationship to his church. He is the head of the church. The church is his bride. He loved the church and died for her. She is to submit to him and obey his word. “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” So where does this leave Adam and Steve? The proposed Civil Bill would recognise their relationship and make allowance for it. The Bible also recognises their relationship and tells us that the love of God is so strong that Christ died for them. The out-workings of his death was to enable those who trust Jesus to turn from their homosexual practices as instanced in the Corinthian church: “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God”. The invitation to trust Jesus applies today. Further recommended reading – Ephesians Chapter 5.

The Bible authorises three groups for the promotion of human existence. They are the Nation the Church and the Family. All three are under attack. The Nation because we fear being subsumed into the EC. The Church because we want to live as we please. The Family because the marriage bond is thought to curtail our freedom. Underlying these complex issues is the assumption that we have matured, moved up the evolutionary scale and are better placed to rearrange our affairs without reference to what God has said in the Bible. Nowhere is this more evident than in the proposed Bill to give legal recognition to same-sex unions and to provide a “redress scheme” for long-term co-habiting opposite-sex couples. Whatever the justification for the former there can be no logical reason to provide a parallel legal entity to marriage for opposite-sex couples. So why is marriage unpopular? Has the sexual revolution of the last century spawned a generation that choose hedonism rather than fidelity? Of course marriage brings with it life-long vows, made in public, often before God, and shoulders the responsibilities inherent in making them. In recognition of this Government rightly grants financial assistance. To award almost the same financial benefits to those who shun the marriage bond, however much they may claim their relationship is intended to be life-long, does not ring true. This proposal from Government lends authenticity to these arrangements, bowing to a minority group, contrary to the wishes of the people enshrined in article 41 of the Constitution. St Paul in his first Corinthian letter deals bluntly with co-habiting opposite-sex couples; “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body” a fact that those who transgress know all too well. But why do we look for counterfeit comfort outside marriage? We have moved from, or perhaps never known, the sufficiency of the life transforming love of Jesus. Bowing the knee to him and surrendering this will, enables the Holy Spirit to give you the self control to live a life of love – bonded in a life-long monogamous marriage that is the God given bedrock of society.

There is something incongruous in seeing President Mugabe with a Bible in his hand. The same hand that is stained with the blood of his own people whose only crime was to exercise their democratic right and vote for the opposition. Not that the Bible doesn’t highlight many bloody examples of rulers who like Mugabe started off well but the corrupting influence of power eventually undid all the good they had done. It simply shows how we are when power is unbridled. The vows made at the inauguration ceremony must be familiar after five previous occasions. Each time they have been made they have become more meaningless. But why are vows taken? The intention is to put the person making them under stronger constraints. There is a tacit recognition of human frailty to honour any promise. The irony in Mugabe’s case was that the vows were being made during the afternoon, in bright sunlight, before the election results were made known. The National TV news was simply delayed in order to produce the result “live”, in the darkness of the evening, alongside pictures of the sunlit inauguration ceremony! Mugabe may mock his people but if he were to read the Book he had in his hand he would find that God is not taken in. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Mugabe needs a redeemer and so do we! For him to repent now would seem to be impossible he is so set in his ways. But it is really only a question of degree and there is not a better time for you and me to turn and trust in Jesus the redeemer.