Economic reality overtook us this week when the bailiffs arrived! They were the representatives of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Nemesis has finally caught up with us. The Bankers valuations of their own assets, which we have tacitly accepted for so long, will be scrutinised and found wanting. The Government will bring forward its budget proposals as it continues to live in denial – (it was rumoured that some of the Cabinet thought “De Nile” only referred to a river in Egypt!) The people, currently venting their anger in our traditional way of writing to the editors of the local press, are frustrated at the lack of anyone being brought to account for our bankruptcy. The Garda investigation into the bankers’ misdeeds is proceeding slowly as tonnes of shredded paper is being examined for clues. Our UK neighbours have expressed willingness to give us a dig-out causing some to hear the low rumble of the State’s founding Fathers rotating in their graves. What has the Bible to say about all this? Despite the efforts of many to edit out the fact of the Fall, it happened! We are not the people we should be. We are not the people we could be. “In the world you will have tribulation” said Jesus in Saint John’s Gospel – and that was to his followers! Now, as a result of man’s basic optimism, continuous efforts have been made to thwart this tribulation. All sorts of self help devices have been put in place in an effort to govern sinners. These range from democracy to dictatorship and everything in between. Some have lasted longer than others but the only certainty is that they will fail. Saint Paul writing to give hope to the believers in Rome recognised that God was behind this state of affairs – in order to create something better. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Saint Peter also wrote about God’s promise – “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” Christopher Idle encapsulated these thoughts in his hymn: – Come and see the shining hope that Christ’s apostles saw;

on the earth, confusion but in heaven an open door,

where the living creatures praise the Lamb for evermore:

Love has the victory for ever. The full number of the children of God may soon be here – ensure that you are in that number through faith in Christ.