The Oban Times

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

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Some things get better. I have two daughters. The elder one is spending a year in Belgium studying at Leuven University, whilst the younger is going to be a counsellor at Camp America before studying at Dundee Uni.

At the same age, my grandmothe­r would go home to Skye to stay with her Beaton relatives in a black house in Glenhinnis­dal. How things have changed! The opportunit­ies available to many young people today are beyond the expectatio­ns of generation­s before. Yet, it is likely they may not be able to afford the lifestyle of the baby-boomer generation; no more final pay pensions, nor housing that can be afforded.

For a while it was assumed life was getting better – there was progress in the world. Women’s rights and expectatio­ns were being fulfilled, gay and lesbian people could lead an open and affirmed life, the standard of living was rising and people would live longer. With the collapse of the Iron Curtain, all of Europe would come closer in liberal democracy.

Today, none of this is assured. This rise of right-wing hard men and the trashing of truth and integrity is reaping its evil reward exampled in Putin’s corrupt brutality in Russia and its visitation upon Ukraine.

Theology has little time for ideas of progress.

Rather, Christ is seen as the centre of time. In other words, each and every age has to be judged in the light of the challenge and liberation of Jesus Christ. We cannot assume humanity has permanentl­y banked progress. Rather, we must be vigilant in the Kingdom of God living where the fruits of the Spirit are valued; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulne­ss, gentleness, self-control.

As we move through the human reality of Lent as seen in Jesus of Nazareth, may we also know resurrecti­on that brings hope to all humanity.

Reverend Dugald Cameron, Parish Minister of Appin and Lismore.

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