麻豆约拍

A reflection and prayer to start the day with the Archdeacon of Bangor, Mary Stallard.

Good morning.

It鈥檚 the Feast of the Transfiguration. This recalls the moment on a mountain when Jesus鈥� friends had an experience which transformed their understanding of Jesus鈥� identity, helping them to see his eternal significance.

This time of pandemic has transformed many of our relationships. Today would have been my parents鈥� fifty-ninth wedding anniversary. Dad died last September shortly after a cancer diagnosis. We were fortunate to be able to have a funeral for him, but grieving in such a time has been hard. I asked Mum if she鈥檇 like to mark the wedding anniversary in some way. She said she feels it鈥檚 lost its meaning now Dad鈥檚 no longer here, and that seems such a natural response.

But here in Wales the Welsh language perhaps offers a helpful insight: wedding anniversary is 鈥減enblwydd priodas鈥� - literally 鈥榳edding birthday鈥�. That reminds me that it marks not simply years clocked up together, but also the beginning of a love shared in marriage. Christians believe that love is eternal, it doesn鈥檛 die, the fruits of its existence remain, not only in the family members who are still here, but in all the memories and relationships it shaped and touched. All the little anniversaries of life, and all the celebrations connected with someone we鈥檝e loved who鈥檚 died, seem to have even greater significance in a time of challenge. All that鈥檚 brought meaning and love to our lives is precious and worth remembering.

God, our hearts are open to you, full of our hopes and sorrows. You know our every desire and hear our deepest longing. Thank you for all the precious gifts of love and friendship in our lives. Help us to treasure our memories and to celebrate all that brings joy today and every day. Amen.