The Archbishop of Canterbury the day before on television had, in his powerful and soothing tone, stressed the value of prayer.

Today, for once, I arrived early for Mass. I had nothing to read, nothing in particular to do and not much apparently to think on. So, perhaps inspired by the Archbishop, but admittedly somewhat reluctantly, I went to the Blessed Sacrament chapel and looked at the crucifix and simply prayed. I tried to concentrate uniquely on the crucifix. The solid gold figure seemed to grow in significance and presence. This powerful feeling brought the Archbishop’s words into my reality. Then disappointingly the moment passed and it was time for Mass.