thought for the week

FANS of the blockbuster HBO epic Game of Thrones will know that the first episode is entitled, “Winter is Coming”.

Well, things are certainly looking that way. I’m not talking about the nights drawing in, the approach of Bonfire Night or even – dare I say it? – Turkey and Tinsel! But I am speaking about the moral decline that’s gathering pace in our society.

The Keith Vaz scandal resonates with me because he’s MP for Leicester East – my birthplace. He lives just a few doors from my brother. Greville Janner, of course, was also a Leicester MP. I’ve no idea whether the new revelations about Mr Vaz are true; it’s not my place to speculate. But, nowadays, when public figures have their misdemeanours exposed, there’s often little sign of shame or guilt.

Sometimes, the public even approve; Clinton’s approval ratings famously jumped when the Monica Lewinsky affair became known. All this is consistent with Paul’s comments in Romans Chapter One.

In an incident recorded in Luke’s gospel, the risen Lord Jesus appeared to two disappointed disciples travelling to Emmaus, a small village near Jerusalem. He encouraged them by explaining, from the Scriptures, how it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer before overcoming. Still not recognising Him, they asked Him to linger a while with them at the inn where they were staying. “Abide with us”, they begged, “for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.”

I feel much like those two disciples. Winter is coming, the darkness is getting deeper and there remains only one Hope in the world. His Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.