Here are the last few verses of our New Testament reading: ‘So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word’.

Stand firm … hold to the traditions … establish … all these are life-giving words for a time and a world where everything is shifting. ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and for ever’.

May our hearts, too, be comforted in whatever distress assails us this day, and may God bless you abundantly.