Thoughts for the Day

For I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice for ever
in what I am creating;
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
and its people as a delight.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
or the cry of distress....

The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
the lion shall eat straw like the ox...
They shall not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain.

* The picture is of St Cadfan's Church in Tywyn

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Isaiah prophecies that God will create a new earth and new heavens and he will rescue his people. This appears to be aimed at those exiles in Babylon, but Christians have also taken it to mean that God would redeem His people by sending His Son to rescue them.

Today we remember all who have suffered in this world - those Saints who were tortured or killed for their faith. No country has so many Saints as Wales, so we look at a couple of them today:

Saint Elen: She lived in the late 4th century and founded a number of churches in Wales. She is said to have been a daughter of Octavius and the wife of Magnus Maximus. She is known under a number of names and had five children. She also introduced into Britain (from Gaul) a form of Celtic monasticism. There are also many holy wells and springs named after her as well as roads. She is considered a saint in the Welsh Church.

Saint Cadfan: He is sometimes known as Saint Gideon, and lived in the 6th century. He founded the Abbeys of Tywyn and Bardsey in Gwynedd, Wales. He was said to have received the island of Bardsey from Saint Einion Frenin, King of Llŷn, around 516 and to have served as its abbot until 542 CE. His feast day is 1st November.

Heavenly Father,
we thank you for the example
of all those christians who
helped to grow the Christian faith in our land,
especially those who suffered at the hands
of pagan adversaries,
and who were killed by their enemies.
May we be as constant and steadfast in our faith,
and like them look forward to
Your kingdom in Heaven.
Amen.