Tale of what we can expect she's here and I'm warning terrible had There's only one time it's actually what we actually had a special Sunday with turbo yesterday there's a Saturday was terrible at a trying time for some of the extraordinary fall out it's interesting you know some with a covered stays and the future historians will look back at this election as the most consequential since the 2nd World War which is really really interesting to look at it so we'll be looking at it what it means for Scotland for Northern Ireland for the u.k. We'll even be joined by I am Tony commie from Ortiz going to give us the I am from Europe and beyond but there is just so much to digest and absorb particularly for Northern Ireland given that that the shift that we're seeing I think one come to this morning described as the stampede to the center for help that we're beginning to see and hear and looking at that alliance search but there's so much by my newspaper panelists are hard out of that there would kind of be from the way I would also be speaking to John Curtis the you know the the king of the poem and to to really have a look at that I wonder was he surprised by the extent of the majority I remember talking to him and he did predict that Boris Johnson would win with a majority voted present as it is actually hasn't been about election for the posters you know which really I suppose really throws it up to the deeper heart actually in light of all of that knowledge what happened with the but it's been really really really interesting so it's going to be a busy busy morning but we're doing all the hard work so yes there's going to have to be as I hope as many will join us I'm sure there will 112 wonderful thank you very much indeed now it's time on Sunday sequence for if I could live my life again this is the part of the program where we each have to one person and ask them if they have to live their life over again what would they do differently did they have times in their lives when they could have taken one of 2 paths of the ever wondered how different their lives would be had they chills in the other path and with all this life experience no what would they say to their 16 year old self or even their 36 year old self Well this week. We're delighted to be joined by someone who could be argued is living his life again in the sense that around 20 years ago he was a trade unionist and one of the instigators of the peace train movement in the run up to the 1994 paramilitary cease fires here of which he was a key figure in contacts between Euless and the Irish Government Well fast forward to 2019 he's the moderator of the non subscribing Presbyterian Church and he's the referent Chris Hudson Christian very welcome good morning good to see us thank you for being with us it's a very deep starting point I think to a sentence if I could live my life again how do you finish that sentence. If I could live my life again I think I might get up a little bit earlier and improve everything I did by about 5 percent. Doubts as much consideration as I give it all to because if I reflected too much on those I think I might start feeling that. I made wrong decisions but I do think when you arrive at a particular time in your life. You accept the decisions you made they were the decisions at that time you can reflect back on them work with wisdom and and think well I might have done something differently but I would like to of applied myself a little bit more diligently to the things that I was doing do you think life experience shapes the person that we become. Yes I do even though this may sound like a bit of a contradiction to what I've just said even though. When I'm talking specifically about myself that I never mapped out my life experience some people have a very clear idea particularly in a profession like medicine or law or whatever where they're going with that career path mine has been a lot of accidental happenings that lead me from one direction to another but I think at the end of it all and not saying I'm at the end of my life I say hey r.j. Hopefully I'll attempt but. I I like to think that all the things I did the accumulation of those was a huge learning curve and a learning curve in human experience. Human relationships that I I believe no academic training can give you and I think I do believe that's hugely important so how different would you be in your new life if you had if you had to live over again and huge chose different a different path different routes different experiences what do you think how that would change and reflect on your personality Well I was always said a lot of things have happened to me in my life or more accidental rather than design or what are rather than planned and for instance I worked as a postman for a number of years and when I was working as a postman I was also working as a part time actor a my ambition was to become a full time actor that's what I was working towards becoming a full time actor and I was out on a film set. And I didn't like the way people were treated by the director and those in charge. And it made me think about a lot about that and then it so happened that just by chance I was elected the branch secretary of the postman and Black Rock post-office went to my 1st trade union come from some of the Old Post Office Workers Union. Got up a couple of times to the microphone and a few people said that guy was a good speaker and within a year I was on the national executive of the Union and within 3 or 4 years I was a full time union official and I suddenly thought where did the acting career go. And it was that wasn't a design that was but at the same time I do think we should watch where our feet take us sometimes we have thought that that's where I want to go but sometimes your heart and your feet will take in a different direction would you pursue acting in if you had to live your life again . I think I would I have a genuine envy of actors I admire their courage because people I know who did go full time in theater and I know many of them still in Dublin that my good friends and I. I do feel that they've incredible courage because it's one of those professions that when you you sacrifice our briefing in the hope that. You may have a break and I've often heard doctors saying even those who are and millions later on that they're the remuneration is only for all the years that they spent airing a pittance and funnily enough only 2 days ago I had an actor in a director up in Belfast with me showing them one of our churches that were using now and down part and sure as it's fair for and hoping that they can bring shows up into that so I'm still connected Yeah and you might argue that there is something about a performance in what you do anyway isn't there some people will say 100 I think. About when I'm in the pope and some of that is my lifetime I call it. You were born into the Catholic tradition weren't you Chris Yes I mean are you are you glad about that or would you have preferred to have been born into the non subscribing Presbyterian or has that influenced you know how to had made its mark on you. I'm I think I'm God because my mother was. A She wasn't a devout Catholic she was what I'd call a good Catholic a she but she thought me certain values which in shrine to her heart conflict faith and. I learned a lot from the heart and I think people in my own church tell me I bring something special to the pole but because of that experience now that's not to diminish the role of of being a Unitarian or Presbyterian minister is there still some Catholic element to still feel less within you well I remember one person saying to me after a service she said when you lead prayers here pray very like a conflict I'm not sure exactly what the difference is but yes there's a certain amount of there's a certain amount of mystery. Humility and devotion within Catholicism that may not exist in Presbyterian as I'm in Presbyterian there's a lot of good rational thinking accepting the word above everything else but when you mix the 2 at times you get an end interesting mix and an n n and a mix there can appeal to a broader spectrum of people I started to think and also because. During my years as a counselor going to school I went to a presentation brothers college and done Larry. I loved all the guys I went to school I wouldn't have known them I would know the people I still know around town Larry and I'm Audrey I'm totally prejudiced I believe done Larry is the center of the world and there's nowhere else like they all have our crosses. Tell me false advice would you give to your 16 year old self not at this point in your life I think what I would say to my 16 year old self I think it's probably something many people would say be a little bit more confident. Don't be too concerned that you're only 5 foot 5. I was a good wing house for a scrum half and I played rugby even though I was only 5 foot 5 I was said don't don't be too critical of yourself. Don't build up your self-confidence and don't look it's too many people with a sense of awe in other words that as you progress in life you'll find of a lot of people largely in authority experts in actual fact there are words or is infallible or Zani are as follow ballers on a body else where as I think as a youngster I was in awe of those who were educated those who I felt knew more than I did now they probably did but I could equally accrue that knowledge so I think I'd advise my 16 year olds and also not think I would advise my 16 year old so south don't spend too much but time in the bamboo coffee bar in Dun Larry now that was a historic present b.p. Like Bob Geldof myself and many others spent hour after hour after hour there but I often think it was a university in its own way songs like that Chris has been an absolute pleasure talking to you thank you for coming in and sharing your thoughts with us this morning in our series if I could live my life again the referent Chris Hudson Chris thank you thank you but that's it from us here on Sunday sequins for this week the program produced by Seamus Boyd from him from all the team and for me until next Sunday morning at half past 8 to have a great week now it's time for morning service today it's for the 3rd Sunday of Advent and it's coming from St Columbus church in knock in Belfast the preacher is the Bishop of Clogher heart the Right Reverend John McDowell and the service is led by Canon John. I. Did. Good morning and welcome to St Columbus knock a well known Parish Church in East Belfast close to call room and prove things are storm and and within earshot of the busy George Best City airport close to our parish community we have wonderful nature trails as well as easy access to some of both files see evolving in heritage of the shipyard on the Titanic or for this handsome parish church has be the spiritual home for generations of worshippers for over 120 years over that time the faithful have gathered here to be part of the churches where ship and witness creation get pace where the goal school can be shared in the wider community of this part of the city the people of St Colombo's today are part of the longstanding ecumenical activities within all the churches in our local district. Our parishioners are looking forward with and to suppression to the celebration of Christmas in 10 days' time but as you join us now in this reflective from quieter periods known as Advantage we lift our voices in praise to sing our opening him. Let's. offer to all of my sheep gone to worship Him praise on Thanksgiving to confess our sins and to receive God's forgiveness to hear his holy words proclaimed to bring before him our needs and the needs of the words and to pray that in the power of His Spirit we may serve Him and know the greatness of His love let us come fast our sins to God our Father our. Heavenly father we have things against you and against our neighbor in thoughts and words and deeds through negs because through weakness through our own deliberate fault by water we have done on my watch we have failed to do we are truly sorry repent of oil or sin for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us forgive us all that has passed on the ground we may serve you in who supply to the glory of your on. All nicely gaunt who forgives all who tooted repent have mercy on you pardon and to differ you from all your sins confirm unstinting you and all goodness and keep you need to turn in life. Through Jesus all spy a Star Lord. Or Lord open our lips. As old gold makes feet to save us. Glory to the falls are unto the song unto the holder you Spears. A. Praise the Lord. A. You. In Israel in the it's century b.c. . More attention being given to religious ritual than to social justice so says this fierce prophet if you expect the Lord's coming be aware that it may not be as delightful as you think when God comes to this world he comes in rightful judgment. The Old Testament reading is from us Chapter 5 verses it team to $24.00. Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord why do you want the day of the Lord it is darkness not light as if some one fled from a lion and was met by a bear or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall and was bitten by a snake is not the day of the Lord darkness not light and gloom with no brightness in it I hate it I despise your festivals and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grand offerings I will not accept them on the offerings of well being of your thought that animals I will not look upon take away from me the noise of your songs I will not listen to the melody of your harps but let justice roll or die in like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream. Friends of John the Baptist had expected their Messiah to come with political power but for them and for us the evidence of Christ's presence is find in our individual lives as he comes constantly to transform us. The New Testament reading is from Matthew Chapter 11 beginning at verse 2 when Chan heard in prison what the Messiah was doing he sank word by his disciples and said to him Are you the one who is to come are we to do it for another she says I answered damn go and tell she on what she hear and see the blood on blind receive their sight they lay him walk the lepers are cleansed the damp here the dead are really is and the poor up big news brought to them and the last it is anyone who takes new offense at me as they went away Jesus began to speak to the crying so by. What did you go out into the wilderness to Lucca a reach shaken by the wind What did you go to see someone dressed in soft robes look those who were soft robes are in Royal Palaces What then did you call like to see a prophet Yes I tell you more than a prophet this is the one about whom it is written see I am standing my messenger ahead of you who will prepare your way before you truly I tell you among those born of woman no one has a risen greater than John the Baptist yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than the. May all the words that I say to you be in the name of the Lord of the Advent even Jesus Christ our Lord. At the risk of confirming lots of prejudices and signing like a bit of an old bore I'm afraid I have to say that Advent isn't what it used to be . In the church at least it was never intended as a preparation for Christmas it was intended as a period of reflection on the last things and death and judgement on heaven and hell. And of course those themes are the whole contents of the Gospel but they aren't nothing either they have their season as the colic makes quite clear Advent sets before us Christ's coming not in humility as in the stable and now service but in power and great glory and the reminder all this event of the Advent whichever way you may choose to think of it is intended to foster watchfulness a state of mind I don't know about you but I find it rather difficult to practice watchfulness for very long. And though I don't think the excuse sorry I was too busy to notice will be of much use on walk in most calls that have the Norns. Perhaps there is nothing which marks the very early church off from our time or probably from any other time than its attitude to the return of Jesus and Paul are on great glory to judge the living and the dead. They expect that to happen they prayed for it to happen and they wanted it to happen. I wish I could sincerely say to see him for myself. A 7 minute broadcast sermon doesn't allow you time to address the big and very genuine questions around Hansal going to work. This return in judgment but at least we can say something about what has been revealed to us about one of the central things of the Advent accountability. That's a grip those words and all sorts of ways and all sorts of walks of life today a country ballot or certainly as one of the find Asians of a mature democratic society the Geishas even of a healthy family life will be all pretty have a little differently from the other but both are linked to openness and reliability . Rather undervalued Birchers So a kind ability. We want to hold people to contemplate the bankers the politicians the civil servants the idiots who caused a traffic jam in the West and everybody and everything. Well in the Advent we have full blown equal opportunity accountability no one gets off the hook. And as I say emotional vote knowing exactly when or even what it would be called at the day of the law and not only in laws the day of the Lord is an idea that runs through nearly all the great prophets and it means a day that belongs to God in a way which no other day yet have. A date when he has chosen to make himself perfectly clear and unavoidable a perfect transparent revelation of Himself. And the conclusion of what he has been patiently working through the processes of word history and the proclamation of the gospel. In the Old Testament if they haven't ordered Usher's end of deliverance of God's people Israel the wall and sadness and is accompanied by a terrible sifting process which separates counterfeits from the real people of call in the New Testament all from those who are identified as his people as His holy ones find it surprising to be named and not cataca. And so many who are very sure of themselves and who had Lord Lord often on their lips find themselves stranded. And they're stranded not so much on the wrong side of history as on the wrong side of the end of history. People who had thought of God as their chief asset and had forgotten that in fact he was to be their eternal judge. People who claimed that he was on their side. But he didn't take enough care to be sure that they were on his side. People who never asked the question whether God was as pleased with them as they were pleased with themselves people perhaps even across like you and me and wherever it appears whether it's in the Old Testament or in the New Testament the day have the nor the advent always has the character of finality. Sometimes it seemed to be far away. Sometimes it seemed to be very near in fact at how. Or near or far it was the limit of the horizon there was nothing beyond it it was the end of an era and the beginning of another era which would have no way. The day when the Lord would vindicate himself before all the nations of the earth feel every. Judging all. And all of those ideas are growing the day of the Lord from the great prophets the Old Testament are carried over into the New Testament but neither they're completely identified with one thing one of them. The advent of the return of the Lord as the final revelation of the judgment of the mercy of God there's no getting away from the fact that in both the Old Testament and in the New Testament this advent is a supreme manifestation of judgment in which the wicked Perish Forever. But others for whom it's a time of light in which there is no darkness at all it's the end of history the end of the present order of things and the beginning of a new on the turn of order. And for the New Testament over the Old Testament is inclined to protet in terms of the word history griot cataclysmic events in the life of missions in the New Testament by and large it's seen in much more personal terms. That one day we shall all style and before those searching eyes to give a kind of all that we have done in the flash. Every Secret 7 and every had an act of love every better word and every moment of quiet encouragement every just judgment and every main and callous act can be shameful the trail and every painful witness for justice and truth. And although we may have forgotten them altogether and may not recognize them of the whole. We would have to admit that they are our home. All taken into account. Nothing left right and kiss there would remain anything on hold some on hold in the kingdom of light all taken into account so that all may be forgiven. I desire not a soul ready thing to do well on a jury not found. And even so. Come quickly nor Jesus. Heard your own. I believe in gone to befall the Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth I believe in Jesus Christ galled So when these Son or dwarf who was conceived by the forties 1st born the Virgin Mary suffered don't throw punches find it was crucified and died it was very he descended to the jack on the 3rd day He rose again yes and into heaven he sees it up the right hand to the Father and he would come again to judge the living and the day. I believe in the word is through the holding Catholic Church the communion of saints the forgiveness of sins. All day and the like have for nothing. The Lord be with you. Yet also pray. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Our fall there in heaven hallowed be your name your kingdom come your will be done On earth as. If today our daily bread Oh give us our sins as we forgive those who think against us evil also into temptation but deliver us from evil for the cage of the power of the warrior you're just now or ever on. Show us your mercy your Lord. Or Lord save the Queen. Let your ministers be clothed with rights the snows. Or Lord save your people. Give peace in our to. Warlords. Make clean off hearts within us. The colics for today the 3rd Sunday of Eid for. Or Lord Jesus Christ Who is your 1st coming century a messenger to prepare your way before you grant that the minister. Of your mysteries made night wise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just that out your 2nd coming to judge the words we may be found in acceptable people in your sight for you are naive and read with the fall through on the Holy Spirit one gone to words without hand. Or my seed gone to give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armor of light now in the time of this more through life in which your son Jesus Christ came to us in great you military that on the last day when he showed come again in his glorious my just did to judge the living and the dead we may rise to the life of mortal through him who is the law even reigns with you when the who do Spears one God now and for f.-r. I. Or Lord our Heavenly Father or Nicea and every living God We give you thanks for bringing us safely to this day keep us from forwarding interests in our running into danger and in all things guide us to know and do your will through Jesus Christ strode toward. Go before Lords in Old our doings with your most gracious favor and further us with your continual help that shit all our works begun continued to an end didn't you we make glorify your holy name. And finally by your mercy it's paid everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord. a prayer for this advent season. Keep us in order why do we tarry on this earth in a constant seeking ofter you and him affectionate walking with you that when you come we may be found not hiding our talent not serving self interest alone nor yet asleep for thought with our number one for English was waiting on longing for them nor to our king for ever and ever may. We pray for those who have been chosen to serve as members of parliament and for all in our society who by their plans and actions can give encouragement to those for whom they have responsibilities nor to God we remember today newly elected representatives who can influence the life of society . We think of those who would determine the course of politics in the days ahead those who frame and administer our goal was those who bowed to public opinion through the press radio and television made they recognize their responsibilities to this nation this country and were as worthy stewards of your good and perfect gifts. Give them vision to see far into the issues of our tell you means courage to uphold what is good and integrity in their words and motives and may their actions promote the welfare and peace of all your people through Jesus Christ our Lord. And. A prayer that we may work to create a greater sense of God's kingdom on Earth Almighty God You have taught us that the word is yours and those who dwell in it we pray that every day Sion may seek the way that leads to peace that human rights and freedom may everywhere be respected and the earth's resources may be shared willingly among all people we ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. And. We pray for all who tend to the sick and all who are coping with the consequences of ill health board who in the days of your knife here on Earth displayed compassion to the sick and vulnerable encourage those who are carrying on your healing work in hospitals nursing homes and in their own communities as they work in different ways with the health health service and in their homes in bringing health and comfort to those they serve May they said is your guiding presence with them. As reprieve for those who are bearing the burden of sickness or pain may they sense in their weakness and I'm Zaya to that you are surrounding them with your healing dog and prayer we ask it in the name of Him who suffered for us and healed the sufferings of all those the Savior Jesus Christ our Lord. You. Be mindful. Of Us Your people who are present together here in this place and of those who are absent through age frailty our sickness we command the children to your care the young to your guidance the married to your enriching the aged to your supports the faint hearted to your strengths empower the Scottish urge to your shepherds love on the one to true penned and be forgiven journey with all travelers hope the bereaved release the addicted heal the sick bring assurance to all who are passing through trouble need. Remember for good all those who love us those who care nothing for us and those who have asked and worthy as we are to pray for then there are surely some who you have forgotten but Hugh Lord will surely remember them for you are the helper of the hopeless the savior of the last the refuge for the one drawer and the healer of the sick since you know each one's needs and hear every prayer we command each one to your mercy for grace and your ever and asking love ground to Aust that together we may praise your great name now and for ever on. Christ the Son of righteousness shine upon you gladly your hearts and scatter the darkness from before you on the blessing of God Almighty. A song on the hoodoo spitters be with you Andree made with you all of those. The morning service came from St Columba's church and. Some was led by common John . The preacher was the right Reverend John McDonald The music was directed by Dr John McCain on the organist was Nigel McClintock next week morning service for the 4th Sunday of Advent will come from Belfast with the chapel choir at the chapel choir of Methodist College that's a block arm but action for b.b.c. Radio all star. 3 point. 7. P.c. Review. At 11 oclock I'm growing in Morrison a 20 year old man from Newton Abbey has died following a collision involving a car and a pedestrian on the West Bank in the early hours of this morning it happened at around half past 12 the shadow chancellor John McDonald says he's to blame for what he described as Labour's catastrophic performance in the general election losing 59 seats he said it was unfortunate the party hadn't been able to articulate its message more effectively Mr McDonnell also blamed the media's portrayal of Jeremy Corbin he was. Joined in the New Year but told the B.B.C.'s Andrew Marr he took personal responsibility for the result they saw me let's take it on the chin in this disaster so I apologize to all those wonderful Labor M.P.'s have lost their seats who were so hard up for campaigners but most of all I apologize those people are desperately in need of the government if I want to it is May forestall and the Catholic Archbishop a man Martin has called for the restoration of 5050 recruitment for the p s n i the archbishop made his comments in an interview with the Irish Catholic newspaper this weekend following a meeting of church leaders with the Chief Constable the archbishop said that while he is pleased that almost a 3rd of the p.s. And I are Catholic he has concerns about the future balance of community representation Michael Kelly is the editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper I think what the Archbishop is hinting at it goes back to the old thing if you cannot see it you cannot become a and if Catholics are substantially underrepresented in the police service if there is substantially under represented by the people who police the community then that is going to inevitably lead to a breach of trust and you know or and probably has the support boxing 1st and Michael has advanced to 13 ever closer to a world title shot of redemption against as all the limbic nemesis lot of your naked scene last night called the defeat of the Russian by unanimous points decision in New York's Madison Square Garden to yesterday's dance to bring Premiership action here and such that they fell to 41 defeat in korean they drew 22 away Outland me and I did they beat on John's 1st until they want to weigh at one point sign Well Chris sitters they played a draw in the English Premier League Liverpool they've opened up a 10 point lead at the top of the table they beat Watford So you know where the 2nd place last were held won all by noise. And that are on a 5 straight defeats with victory out. Thanks and the weather there wintry showers possibility stay at times some may fall as snow and other cool day with bells of sunshine in the top temperature of 4 degrees Celsius.