One of the worst features of our society is the large number of people with continuing loneliness. They want to feel they belong and are part of a society that rejects them as unacceptable. Jesus knew that experience often. The exceedingly beautiful prologue at the beginning of the fourth Gospel tells us that He was not accepted even by His own: "His own would not receive Him. But to those who did receive Him, to those who yielded Him their allegiance, He gave the right to become children of God." Believing in His promise restores an awareness of belonging that must cure loneliness.
Motorists on holiday in the west of Ireland called in to a cottage to ask the way. An old man there received them graciously. He had lived there for many years, where he and his wife had reared their family. He was now on his own. His wife had died and all his children had emigrated. "You must be very lonely," they said to him. He replied: "I am alone here but I am not lonely. How could a man be lonely when he believes in God?" Being on his own so much, and being strong-minded, he did not indulge in sorrowing. Instead he filled his aloneness by practising prayer, practising awareness of God's companionship.
For me an overwhelming peak moment in the year was at the Christmas Nine Lessons and Carols at Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Central to that was the reading of the Christmas Gospel. And central to that were the words in St John's prologue: "To them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe his name." That old man would relish such a stupendous statement. It assures all believers that they are accepted members of the family of love.
Based on the mind-boggling promise to all believers of their acceptance by the heavenly Father's welcome into his family, the congregation welcome the newly baptised: "God has adopted you by baptism into his Church." Jesus, having experienced the utter misery of rejection by "his own", was angry with the disciples. They tried to prevent His accepting little children: "Let the little children come to me - never stop them," He said.
The old man in that little cottage in the west was alone, but not lonely. He was relishing the company of the Divine Lover. We pray for all who are alone and lonely, and for the millions involved in going to their aid. We give thanks for those involved in providing a daily 24-hour confidential listening and caring service for anyone who picks up the phone for a friendly chat. We pray specially for friends and colleagues who are physically or mentally unable to use a telephone. God bless them.
"And then for those, our dearest and our best,
By the prevailing presence we appeal,
O fold them closer to Thy mercy's breast,
O do Thine utmost for their souls' true weal." Amen.
W.W.