Dear Neighbour

“Happy New Year !”

Words given and received in the past few weeks.  Are they expressed in faith, hope or despair?
We live in an uncertain world.  A world darkened and surrounded with the prospect of events which could bring about unwelcome hurt and hardship across many if not all the continents of the Earth.
· War in Iraq
· Conflict, Famine and Pestilence in Africa
· Economic and Social Turmoil in South America
· Continuing unrest and hostility in the Holy Land
· Rising Crime and gun culture in our own island.  Industrial unrest

How many such items can be added to this list?
All these are urgent priorities for National Governments and International Organisations.  Religious leaders must take up the challenge, and anyone who has the welfare and needs of their ‘neighbours’ as being central to their own life.

We are all sinners!
Can any of us say that we have had a perfect life?  Have never stolen anything, material or spiritual?
Have never become resentful with anyone?
Have never wanted our neighbour’s possessions?
We have all failed in some way.

Only someone without sin can deal with our failings (the world’s failings).  Jesus Christ is the only one who can clear them.  He is the only one who is perfect, sinless.
We were made to live a life of friendship with God.  But we have cut ourselves off from his presence.
For us to find ‘peace with God’ we must turn to Jesus Christ our saviour.

C S Lewis wrote, “Forgiveness from Jesus Christ is like a tape recording of your life wiped completely clean”.
That as the young people say is ‘cool’.

We can then say “Happy New Year” in faith, hope and love.

In God’s love,
Tom Candeland, Curate.