St Patrick, Church of Ireland, Kenmare

He comes to us in so many ways in order that we may see Him.. In creation. In forgiveness. In salvation. In love. In new life. All these free gifts of grace – but it is up to us to choose to see them, with every one of our senses.

However it may happen, when we see Him, we proclaim Him in the same words as Thomas – ‘My Lord and my God’ and award Him our trust. Forever.

The only way that we know that the victory over death is permanently won is if we accept that the tomb is empty.

And just as the donkey is a figure at the beginning of the Gospel story, so a donkey is present at its end.

We have to ask ourselves if, like Thomas, we are prepared to follow Jesus at whatever cost

Perhaps, then instead of just giving chocolate and flowers on Mothering Sunday, we might resolve to offer love in return throughout every day of the year

The story of the woman at the well has been described as one of the most significant to our understanding of the Gospel message.

This day is all that is good and fair.
It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations to waste a moment on yesterdays.

If suffering did not exist, we could never know joy. If there was no ‘evil’, we wouldn’t be able to recognise ‘good’.

Faith means little when God’s plan is the same as our plan. Faith is everything when it isn’t. When we don’t understand, when the things of the world tempt – and often overcome – us. When disaster happens.

Goddess or Saint? The stories are interwoven, in many cases feeding off each other. But whatever the reality, Brigid’s care for the poor is the common theme – living a life of love and service, for all creation.

We don’t have to wait for eternity – we can be the body of Christ right here, right now. And then we can begin to take our part in the healing of the Nations.

No matter who we are, however sincere our commitment, sooner or later – probably sooner – we’ll blow it. Fortunately, that’s not the end of our Christian life.

Essentially, our Plough Service is a way in which we can say ‘Please’ – just as on Harvest Sunday, we say ‘Thank you’.

What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?

It only takes one candle to be lit and the darkness loses its power to frighten. That is our mission.

In a hundred years, and for hundreds of years after that, the Nativity story will still be told, as it has been for the last two thousand.