SUNDAY

A long drive south but first I look at Psalm 79. “O God the Father, come into thine inheritance.”

Epiphany is moved to this day from the Wednesday, a foolish dumbing down. Why not have solemnities mid-week? What harm to ask people to go to church?

“What a profound silence covered all things.” (Wisdom 18)

MONDAY

The Christmas trees and lights are still up in the Cathedral.

The first reading is from the sublime John 1:

“Any not living a holy life and not loving his brother is no child of God’s.”

TUESDAY

I ask a question of the PM. Why not solve the problem of benefits for EU nationals by making our own system contributory? But actually why should a hard-working Pole be discriminated against in favour of a lazy English person.

John 1 carries on: “If you refuse to love, you must remain dead. To hate your brother is to be a murderer.”

So easy to say, so difficult to do…

WEDNESDAY – The Epiphany of the Lord

The 10:30 Mass was lovely but we were not allowed to have the readings for Epiphany even though the church was much fuller than usual. They are beautiful.

“Arise, Jerusalem, and look to the east, and see your children gathered from the rising to the setting of the sun.” (Baruch 5:5)

“Arise, shine out Jerusalem, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you. … The nations come to your light and kings to your dawning brightness.” (Isaiah 60)

THURSDAY – Russian Christmas

Russian Christmas is always twelve days after Western Christmas. We always go to the Russian church in Chiswick, usually arriving right at the end in time for the taking of bread. Then we have a party in the evening.

“Galilee of the nations. The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light, on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death, a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:12)

FRIDAY

I had a small operation but under a general anaesthetic so felt tired and painful.

“My dear people let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.” (1 John)

SATURDAY

I would like to have gone to Mass but was laid up in bed. But the readings from 1 John continue:

“No one has ever seen God but as long as we love one another, God will live in us.”