29th June 2020

The Gospel this week is set around today's feast of St Peter and St Paul. One of them being a disciple at the time Christ was alive and the other who was converted into Christianity after Jesus' crucifixion. Two very different men from very different backgrounds, but ultimately shared the same vision and mission to spread the word of God.

When I think of these Saints I see men like ourselves who had their own struggles in life, and at times questioned their faith, but they remained strong in their vocation and belief in God, and became great pillars of the Christian religion today.

When we look at our lives and our own faith we see times when we doubt and times when we believe. Jesus understands the frailty of our human spirit. He wants us to not get burdened in what life presents to us, but to walk through life with a passion for what is right and good, and pleasing to God the Father. He wants us to believe in him and to trust in him, so that we can live without the burdens that life sometimes throws at us.

Throughout lockdown we have heard this song a number of times, through Captain Tom's fundraising for the NHS and more so this week. 'You'll never walk alone' was first heard in 1945 appearing in the musical 'Carousel' and released in 1963 by Gerry and the Pacemakers. Since then, as we know, Liverpool FC and other football clubs have adopted this as their anthem.

When you listen to the words you can see how powerful and beautiful the meaning is. Without upsetting our other football supporters, I would like you to read the words as a prayer.

When you read the words as a prayer be reminded of people like St's Peter and Paul and all those saints, people who stand up for others, the change makers for good; and all those who have overcome challenges or are going through difficult times. We pray these words bring comfort and hope... knowing that in our darkest times we are never alone, God is with us always, just waiting for us to call on him.

When you walk through a storm,
hold your head up high,
and don't be afraid of the dark.

At the end of a storm,
there's a golden sky,
and the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind,
walk on through the rain,
though your dreams be tossed and blown.

Walk on, walk on.
With hope in your heart
and you'll never walk alone.

You'll never walk alone.

Walk on, walk on
with hope in your heart,
and you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone.

Amen