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5th Sunday Easter 2008In 1450 Glasgow University was founded by a charter from Pope Nicolas V. It joined many universities being founded in England and Scotland and throughout Europe at that time, these universities and colleges were to be places of learning and education . The names of the great Universities of Europe that still exist, Salamanca, Paris, Oxford, St Andrew’s, Aberdeen (to name but a few) are all papal foundations. The original site of the University of Glasgow was at Rottenrow where the University of Strathclyde is and was later located at the High St until as late as 1870 where it re-located to its present position in the west of the city. The original students where priests interested in learning, probably Dominicans (Blackfriars) but in later times it was to have many eminent students Adam Smith (economist), James Boswell (writer), Lord Kelvin (scientist), Lord Lister (surgeon). These are just some of the names of alumni who have changed the world. One of the things that the original foundation of Glasgow chose was its motto, these where the words from today’s Gospel – the Way, the Truth and the Life. This seemed to be a good motto for any University, students come to seek out the way the truth and the life – the basis of everything, the meaning of things, the reality, the truth. And it was a reminder of two things that when you found Christ, you had found the way, the truth and the life and the other way around any new discovery, any insight into knowledge would lead you to Christ. The words of the motto chosen at the foundation are words of great confidence. That people who would come to study at this university would find God who is the source of all in the books, in their research, in their studies. In our more secular world people have lost that kind of link. People study to pass exams. People read books to advance in their career. People learn just to learn. But wouldn’t it be great to have that great vision, that in knowing things you are knowing God. In understanding the world you are understanding God. In reading poetry you are coming close to God. In painting and art you are touching God. Wouldn’t it be great to re-establish that link. Unfortunately it sometimes seems to be going in reverse knowledge is for out there, God is for in here. But wouldn’t it be great to create that link. I am a doctor because I am bringing the healing of God into the world. I am a teacher because I bring the light of knowledge and understanding into the world. I am a parent and God brings life into the world. I know friendship and find an echo of God’s friendship in my friends. Wouldn’t it be great to re-establish that link between the world and God. In former times people found the finger of God in the world all around them. Wouldn’t it be great to have that insight. I find God in the beauty of nature. I find God in the vastness of the universe. I find God the smallness of the insects. I find the finger of God in the love of human beings. In find God in human beings created in his image and likeness. I find God in the order of the world. That link between where we are and who God is. Universities are places where books reign supreme. Students pour over books. Here in Church we have the one book where God speaks and we listen. In this book you will not Newton’s mechanic’s, Boyles law of gases, Einstein’s theory of relativity but you will find the voice of God who is the way, the truth and the life who is the basis and sources of all their seeking for knowledge and truth. Prayers of Intercession 5th
Sunday Easter
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