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

Good morning. One of the traditions of Saint Brigid of Kildare, who鈥檚 remembered today, is that she kept an eternal flame in her Abbey in Ireland. The idea of an undying flame tended for years, even generations, is intriguing. For Christians it might point to a belief in a love that never dies.

Fire as a symbol has always been powerful and mysterious capturing both the warmth and light that are essential to life and also warning of fearsome power, risk and danger. Perhaps that鈥檚 why fire has always been used in secular and sacred festivals. The image of passing on a flame to others offers a strong sign of our desire to keep on going into the future.

Some years ago, whilst on holiday our family went looking for Brigid鈥檚 undying fire in Kildare. We鈥檇 heard that a statue had been made in her memory and wondered if we鈥檇 find the flame alight. To our disappointment we didn鈥檛, but a small notice in one of the churches led us to a house where religious sisters named 鈥淏rigidines鈥� were living. We told them about our quest to find the holy fire and they welcomed us, made us tea and gave us a poster of St Brigid which we鈥檝e treasured to this day. We may not have found a literal eternal fire but the warmth of their love spoke to us of the blazing faith of a saint from long ago and a flame of friendship and commitment that continues to burn brightly and to be passed on and shared.

Eternal God thank you that you kindle the fire of your love in our hearts. Help us to tend and nurture all that brings life and hope to others through our words and actions today. Amen.