Thought for the week from the Rev David Jones (we 2nd September 2012)

From the moment the Paralympics torch is lit we will see world class athletes giving of their all to mount the winner’s podium and increase the medal tally for their teams.

The Paralympics is, of course, not just an addition to the Olympics, but an integral part of the movement. In all the competitions we are going to see the ability of the human spirit to overcome what would seem to most of us as being insurmountable odds.

All who will be taking part will have their own story to tell and many, if not all have had to break barriers of discomfort and probably pain to realise their dream. That’s why despite the extremes of elation and disappointment we will see as medals are won or lost every athlete, without a doubt, will be a winner and an inspiration to us all

The very word Paralympics implies getting alongside and that surely is the very essence of the Olympic movement and one which we should all seek to embrace not only in the sporting world but in society as a whole.

Someone once asked Jesus what was the greatest command. He replied with what is often called the ‘golden’ rule. To love God with all of our heart and soul and mind and to love our neighbour as we love ourselves.

There it begins and in doing just that we will have gone for the gold and hopefully crossed the winning line!

Rev. David Jones

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