Sir, - Ever since the days of "S" many people of varying Christian traditions have been inspired by your Saturday column of spiritual reflection, now obviously in the hands of several contributors.
I noticed with a little sadness that your contributor of November 10th, writing helpfully about resurrection and basing his thoughts on verses from Luke 20, describes these verses as "the Gospel to be read in Catholic churches tomorrow".
I hope your correspondent is aware that for several years now English-speaking Christians in many countries, Ireland included, have used for Sunday readings a lectionary which crosses denominational boundaries. Hence in this country Anglicans and Roman Catholics hear week by week essentially the same readings at the Sunday Eucharist. At a time when it is tempting to focus on our frustrations in ecumenical matters, it is worth celebrating the unity we have found around the Word. Because we use the same Sunday lections, ecumenical study groups can meet in local communities to reflect on the readings all the participants have heard at Sunday worship. This could not have happened in quite the same way even a decade ago.
As I drive between my services in a rural parish on Sunday mornings, I often hear on the radio a homily at Mass dealing with the same readings as I have just preached on myself. By the time I preach in my second church, my sermon is often considerably improved as a result!- Yours, etc.,
Michael Burrows, The Rectory, Bandon, Co Cork.
The Thinking Anew column of November 10th was written by "M.C." It was incorrectly attributed to "F. MacE."