Two images that almost speak of parallel universes. One where people live in isolation and create their own (warped) inward looking world, the other where people work together and are looking outward to the needs of others. One brings death the other life.

This last week a professor has suggested after much research that children‘s lives are damaged by television. He suggested that children under three shouldn‘t watch it at all, whilst those between three and twelve should be limited to one hour a day. Negative aspects of behaviour have been shown to emerge when children are exposed too early to television and also when it is viewed too much. I have never subscribed to the view that television is neutral when it comes to its influence. How can it be when advertisers are paying vast sums to get their message across? I find it impossible to believe that exposure to violence has no link with a person‘s behaviour. The images we take in can stay with us for years if not forever and influence us in ways we may not even be aware of. There is an old computer adage that says rubbish in rubbish out, and I think that is very true for the computer that is our brain!!!!

As people made in the �image of God‘ we are essentially relational beings, for the Trinity of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit speaks of relationship. God is love and love cannot exist without relationship.

We do loneliness very well in our culture. Independence and autonomy are prized. Life can be lived increasingly in isolation if we choose. Yet interdependence is what brings out our true humanity, it is in serving that we will find our true and best selves. Think what might happen in our society if we gave up just two hours of telly and used it in the service of others!