According to the press Ireland is lagging behind with its implementation of surrogacy laws. Children are arriving in Ireland to find their pedigree is flawed. They have emanated from a surrogate mother who they are unlikely ever to meet but who, in some cases, has imparted her DNA to the child. Just when we were coming to terms with children not knowing who their father was, we are now confronted with the 21st century problem of them not knowing who the mother was either!

Because of cost considerations India is the preferred location of the carrier. The price there is less that half the $80,000 it costs in the US, even after taking into account the expense of travel. Various loan options are available on the internet providing the funds to boost this €2 billion industry. Interestingly India forbids gender selection but you can presumably get a bargain by designing twins or even triplets. With wombs for hire same sex couples can have children – lots of them. On the downside there is no maternity or paternity leave available for the happy couple and the psychological risks have yet to be fully assessed.

Spare a thought for the surrogate child with no nationality, no passport and no legal parent. What has the Bible to say to this brave new world? The Bible has encouraging news, not only for the barren woman but for the surrogate child. There is another form of family which the Bible recognises. This arises when someone realises that they are a sinner and they are awakened to the fact that they can do something about it. The Biblical remedy is to pray to God that He might reveal Jesus as the sinbearer who personally carried their sins on the cross, cleansing the believing one so that they might live a new life. The common term for this is being born again or born from above. It places the believer in a new family with new brothers and sisters where God can truly be addressed as Father.

St Paul writes to the Galatian church, recognising the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophesy’s that the barren will rejoice over her spiritual children and that these children will be more numerous than the one who has a husband – Galatians 4:27. This is good news not only for the childless Christians but for the believing surrogate children who can now have an identity in Christ and a family of fellow believers.

We have been conditioned by the media, helped perhaps by more than a little personal bias, to take the word of a Prime Time Investigator over against the word of a Priest. Our prejudice was helped by Fr Kevin Reynolds laughing dismissal, made to the RTE Investigative reporter Aine Kavanagh, of the charge of the rape of a Kenyan woman during his time serving in Africa. The image, caught by the camera, evoked strong memories of the hideous display of callous disregard for his victims by Fr Brendan Smith who was involved in paedophilia some years ago. This case could not have been more different.  Not only was there not a scintilla of truth in the allegation but RTE showed disrespect for Fr Reynolds by ignoring his request for a paternity test until repeated request from his solicitor could no longer be ignored. However by this time the programme had been broadcast, Fr Reynolds, now disgraced, had been stood down and Kavanagh, in what seems to be an attempt at bluff, wrote to him saying she had a “creditable third-party source” who could testify that he was the father of Sheila and had contributed to her education. To date no third-party source has been produced although some of RTE’s “big guns” have attempted to defend their colleague’s reputation. The fulsome apology, ordered by the court, and both broadcast and printed in the press this week, may go some way to mitigate the damage to Fr Reynolds reputation. The damages awarded to the Plaintiff, will be of little consolation to him although it may encourage RTE to be more ethical. The writer of Proverbs states, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold”. So if you have the choice between wealth or a good name – choose a good name. An early Christian hymn about Jesus contains the lines: – “He humbled himself  and became obedient to death—  even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place  and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,  in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God the Father. Jesus’s name is not simply referring to his reputation but much more. He has all authority in heaven and earth, in his name repentant people are healed, forgiven and transformed enabling even those at present opposed to him to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The inauguration of Michael D Higgins as our 9th President was the crowning event of the week. The people had spoken to the tune of over 1 million votes in his favour and with this comfortable mandate he addressed us who are “fragile as an economy and wounded as a society”. Paraphrasing James Connolly, the Republican and Socialist leader, Michael D reckoned that Ireland was “a work in progress, a country still to be fully imagined and invented”. His analysis of our current ills focussed on the crass materialism of recent years which valued the worth of a person in monetary terms rather than their “fundamental dignity”. The antidote he prescribed was to turn to an older wisdom that, “while respecting material comfort and security as a basic right of all, also recognises that many of the most valuable things in life cannot be measured. The prayer service which preceded the installation concluded with the singing of John O’Donoghue’s poem Beannacht, a poetic eulogy as to how nature herself eases the pain of life’s trials and replaces grief with blessing. What has the Bible to say about all this? Scripture would concur that we humans have a fundamental dignity although we may not always agree upon its source. It does not come from our ability to stand upright instead of travelling on all fours but in the fact that we are made in the image of God. Indeed the invisible God became visible in Jesus Christ; “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews Chapter 1 verse 3). It is refreshing to listen to a new President pointing the way forward in more spiritual terms than we are used to. The older wisdom is a pleasant prospect when viewed from our empty cupboard of ideas! However we have here a largely undefined wisdom although the source may well have been hinted at in O’Donoghue’s wonderful poem to the healing properties in nature. The Bible attributes wisdom not to nature but to Jesus: more particularly to his death for sinners on the cross. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God….. Since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. It’s not the age of the wisdom that matters but its source. Let’s hope that this presidency will embrace it and impart it over the next 7 years to God’s glory.

Lower drink-driving limits came into effect last week, reducing the maximum blood-alcohol level to 20mg per 100ml of blood in some cases. The changes, which bring Irish law into line with European levels, will see the current limit of 80mg drop to 50mg for most drivers. Under the regime, professional drivers, learner drivers and those who are newly qualified will be subject to a lower 20mg limit, as will other categories such as those driving tractors or cars with trailers. A penalty system is also being introduced to deal with offences detected under the limits. The market in self breathalyser gadgets has just got better as the morning after the night before may have some residual quantities of alcohol in the bloodstream pushing the early commuters over the new limit. The Minister expressed concern about the wide availability and low price of alcohol across the country. “This is primarily a public health issue requiring a whole of population approach for it to be successfully tackled. We need to reduce the amount of alcohol that we as a nation drink. This will involve a wider societal change in attitude and behaviour in order to break our cultural link to alcohol.” What does the Bible have to say about drink? Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. Proverbs 23:31 Alcohol is a problem. It is a problem today and it was a problem for the writer of Proverbs. It was a problem for Noah (Genesis 9:21) and for Lot (Genesis 19:30-33). It was a problem for the master of wedding ceremonies in Cana (John 2:1-11 But it gladdens the heart (Psalm 104:4), makes the Cana wedding go with a swing, and is better for a weak stomach than dodgy water (1 Timothy 5:18). In Rome it was a problem causing St Paul to council: “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh”. Romans Chapter 13 verses 13/14. It is also the central symbol of the redeeming love of Jesus in the cup representing His poured out blood which was to be shed for the remission of sin. For those who turn to Jesus trusting in the effectiveness of His sacrifice He gives the self control to avoid gratifying the desires of the flesh. The alcoholic can be freed from addiction – there is power in the liberating power of the Holy Spirit entering a life and it all starts when we bow the knee to Jesus.

It’s been a week which could be summarised by the song with which Dana won the Eurovision Song Contest many moons ago. I’m sure she hankered for these old days when she struggled to keep in contention in the Presidential election stakes. All kinds of everything appeared, as skeletons were dragged out of the cupboards and put on display, usually by a competing candidate. No better man than Martin McGuinness who, having been tipped off, had the front runner Sean Gallagher on the ropes. The spectre of brown envelopes frightened voters who switched back to Michael D. Higgins in the same numbers that had deserted him the week before. Michael D, the eventual winner, managed to maintain his composure and in the absence of anyone of the stature of our last two presidents, romped home without any last minute challenge. All kinds of everything were on display in the Mind Body Spirit bi-annual Festival in Dublin. This New Age Fair is in danger of becoming a respectable part of the landscape. The Psychics were in tune with the culture by diagnosing “stress” as the cause of their clients ails. The €50 to €70 charge added to their stress and the remedy of an altered state of conscientiousness didn’t seem to grab the imagination like it once did. This left the floor mainly to the feel good therapies of Alternative Medicine with their holistic approach that so accurately matches the needs of the many lonely and disillusioned people who hanker for someone to take an interest in them. What help can we get from the Bible? This week’s snapshots of the lives of our Presidential candidates reveal flaws shown up by an earthly court how much more would be revealed by a heavenly one! What if we were in the dock – but we better not go there! Those attending the festival would not deny the existence of a God simply see him or her as irrelevant to their everyday lives. Having denied the possibility of any overall meaning or absolute truth, there is no faith or ideology worth living for, so living for self and feeling good about oneself becomes the central purpose in life. “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” St Matthew chapter 11 verses 28 to 30. And Jesus` yoke is easy because He bore the ultimate burden of our sin on the cross so that whither we are a Presidential candidate with a past or a modern person who ignores Him in the present, Jesus` advice is to the point. Come to Him, in prayer, believing and receive Him into your life. “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” St John 1:12-13.

48 If Autumn’s here can Winter be far behind? What now Libya with Qaddafi gone? Has the unifying force of common hatred for their ruler been the glue that held the different tribes together? Officials of the post-Qaddafi government have said that the death or capture of Colonel Qaddafi would allow them to declare the country liberated and to start a process that would lead to a general election for a national council within eight months. Great aspirations! Colonel Qaddafi was carrying what was described as a sack of magic charms when he was found by the soldiers. He held a silver pistol in his hand, and in a bag, the fighters found his gold plated pistol. He had been hiding in a storm drain following the scattering of his convoy by NATO planes as it attempted to leave his home town of Surt. So the man who held total control over his 6.5 million people for 42 years died. He was better known here for bringing down the Pan Am flight over Lockerbie and supplying weapons and semtex to the IRA.  His leaves behind a country void of infrastructure with the exception of the oil installations. There are still some members of his family at large along with pockets of his more fanatical supporters who may stir up trouble in the days ahead. What comment would the Bible make of this event? Much ink has been spilled navigating around the Command “Thou shall not kill” by pleading the case for the just war. The Bible simply says that wars will come – it’s a bi-product of the way we are.  When John the Baptist was giving some ethical advice to his questioners some soldiers asked him what they should do. He did not tell them to leave the army but said, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”  There is an inevitability about bloodshed resulting in more bloodshed. This was highlighted by Jesus to his Disciples in Gethsemane, “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” St Matthew chapter 26 verse 52. Jesus’s way also involved the spilling of blood – His own. And that was shed for others. Qaddafi’s way involved the spilling of blood – that of others and eventually his own. Qaddafi’s reliance on charms proved futile. For those who rely on Jesus there is peace even in a war zone and a resurrection to eternal life at the end. Trust Jesus.

In the midst of all our woes this week three men broke into the Holy Cross Abbey in Co Tipperary and stole three relics one of which was reputed to be a piece of wood from Christ’s cross. This piece of the “true cross” was handed over by King Donal Mor O’Brien in the 12th Century and apparently survived the 17th Century when the monastery was in ruins. The two other relics were handed to the Abbey in 1977 by St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. These, along with the silver monstrance containing the wood, presumably have some value as precious metals hence the attraction to the thieves.  The Parish Priest said the local clergy and parishioners were devastated, “Even three weeks ago we had a novena here and there was a great sense of devotion to it, he said.” The garda were bewildered by the theft. “They’re not something that could be brought down any day of the week to a car boot sale” they said. The robbery was well planned, the thieves using a hammer, screwdriver and an angle-grinder to forcibly open the cabinet containing to relics. The get-away vehicle was found burned out some distance from the Abbey. What has scripture to say to all this? Surprising as it may seem when it comes to relics the bible is silent. In folklore the expression “touch wood” meaning that you hope some event may or may not happen, is an abbreviation of “touch the cross”. It is hard to get away from the fascination that religious artefacts have for people who are seeking for some source of supernatural power. Those looking for Biblical warrant can quote Acts chapter 19 verses 11/12  “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” When St Luke penned this incident its unlikely that he anticipated the global trade in relics! More likely the benefactors of the healings and deliverances realised the link to St Paul and the message he preached which always attributed the power to his triune God. On its altar the Abbey uses the words “that the cross of Christ may not be emptied of its power” which is part of the text of 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 17 referring, in this case to the wooden relic of the cross which has been stolen. Of course St Paul wasn’t referring to the power of the wooden cross but to the preaching of the death of Christ for sinners. He makes it plain; “but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. The power and authority lies in the once crucified now risen and reigning saviour. Put your faith in him.

Occupy Wall Street consists of a group of activists who say they stand against corporate greed, social inequality and other disparities between rich and poor. They are protesting against, among other things, the greed and corruption of the 1% of the population . This week there has been a spin-off to other American cities. Could this happen in Ireland? Not while we were in the Rugby World Cup but now…? Our white collar crime, proportionally speaking, can match that of Wall Street. It has been largely undisturbed by regulation or legislation. The powers that be have asked the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement to carry out a criminal investigation into alleged malpractice at one of our banks. It is grossly under resourced and is unlikely to produce even preliminary findings till next year. It has not been helped by the non-co-operation of bankers which may now change following the recent passing of the Criminal Justice Act. In the meantime action against individuals or third parties such as auditors has had to be deferred pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. One Journalist has referred to all this as a “culture of impunity”. So could we see “Occupy Dame Street”? Not while we are still trying to qualify for the soccer World Cup! What has the Bible to say about these things? The Bible has a lot to say about justice, always imperfectly applied here but perfectly applied in the hereafter. Jesus warned of impending disaster on his return for those who denied justice to others. It is well expressed by St Luke’s recording of the persistent, prayerful widow and the unjust judge. Chapter 18 verses 1 to 8, Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.” For the Christian, prayer and perseverance are prescribed. He takes his example from Jesus who, St Peter tells us, “when they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

This week the North of the country witnessed one of the most unlikely cover-ups of our time. It happened in a barley field outside the city of Bangor. Rihanna from Barbados, a singer with a good voice and possibly a better figure, was using both in the production of her latest video “We found Love”.  The farmer, a decent Christian man, who had already pulled their vehicle out of the mud and put down some straw to improve access to the field, was going about his business. The next thing to happen was a crowd gathered threatening to jam the adjacent motorway as people flocked to catch a glimpse of the now topless Rihanna prancing about in the barley. This was not what the farmer bargained for when he let them into his field and he got down from his tractor and told the pop star to cover herself up. He also told her, as he explained later to the media, that satisfaction in this life comes from putting your faith in Jesus Christ and his work on the cross. Rihanna, no doubt pleased with the free publicity the event had created for her, put on her clothes and resumed filming the next day in the New Lodge area of Belfast. What has the Bible to say about all this? God clothed our first parents and people have been taking them off ever since. The clothing only became necessary because of man’s rebellion of which undressing in public is a potent symbol. What makes this case unusual was not that a pop star undressed in public but that a Christian had the bottle to tell her to get dressed.  Indeed the farmer went further and in a very genuine and convincing way explained the Gospel to her. This certainly illustrated better than anything else the title of her song “We found Love” The love of God shown in Jesus had found the farmer and by His grace may find Rihanna and you also. There is no greater love and no greater gift. Its yours to receive. St John summarised it for us as follows: – “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” St John’s Gospel chapter 3 verse 16.

We are in the last week for nominations for the highest Office in the land – that of President. The process was enlivened by Martin McGuinness throwing his hat (or should it be beret) into the ring.  The former commander in the IRA has asked to be considered for the Office on the basis of his record as a peacemaker. The problem for some is that his record reveals that for a large part of his life he sought peace through the armed struggle which convulsed the Northern part of the Country for around 30 years. On the other hand there is no doubt that his more recent experiences as Deputy First Minister of the Stormont Parliament have shown him to be an able politician. During his leadership of the Sinn Fein party in the North there has been much reduced para-military activity.  He has come a long way since he was jailed in 1974 in the Republic when he was caught with a car containing 250 lb (113 kg) of explosives and nearly 5,000 rounds of ammunition. He refused to recognise the court but the Court recognised him and he went to prison. What is certain is a lively campaign over the next 6 weeks as the seven likely contenders make their representations for the job. We may well have a sequel to the McGuinness Biography “From Guns to Government”. Perhaps “From Politician to President” if his Presidential campaigning is as successful as his political career has been to date. What has the Bible to comment on such matters? One of the most spectacular changes of occupation took place when Saul of Tarsus was confronted by the living Jesus while he was engaged in destroying this new sect called Christians. Resulting from that encounter his whole life was transformed and the persecutor became known as, “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” Galatians Chapter 1 verse 23. Saul had seen how well Stephen died and that had opened his mind to the possibility that he just could be wrong. How do you move a person from that possibility to 100% acceptance of it as fact? It took the voice of God to turn Saul of Tarsus around. His conversion brought peace to the Christians and transformed society. It is hard to see a parallel with our situation in Ireland but then it was hard for these Galatian Christians to accept St Paul in their day. But it first needs God to work a miracle!