St. James' Church Bushypark Galway

The mountain road beckoned, and the snows were majestic. Peaceful, far away, beautiful, the mountain of God. Like Father, Son and Spirit in strength, beauty, power. Beckoning the pilgrim, challenging the walker, strong and faithful, and we are afraid.

We call God a mountain and a rock, strong, beautiful, yet weak, for the rock splits and the hills may turn to dust, for Jesus, God and one of us, one of the Trinity of love, is sent among us. Strength becomes weakness, rocks grow flowers, snow melts and God is near.

Mingling with his people, like melting snow in a field, like leaves of oak falling to earth, for the power of God took tiny flesh in Mary’s womb and she gave birth to Emmanuel, God is with us.

Jesus, Saviour of all, friend of the earth, friend of all people, God among us. And now the mystery of God, is no longer a strange mystery, but a hand of friendship and forgiveness which each of us may hold forever.

And we need no longer be afraid.