We have a new Government, which has a list of our essential needs to satisfy. Our needs are very great with impending climate change, possible nuclear annihilation and fuel and energy poverty.

But deeper than this, we are suddenly aware that there is a hunger and thirst for love, a love which transcends material concerns and reaches the inner depths of each person. We have already been given this in Jesus but this gift is so buried in political and religious conflict that we no longer realise how fundamental his loving person is.

How do we reclaim him to be our help in these times? Can the examples of former spiritual heroes guide us: Eric Liddell, Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela? Yes, this might work but even more powerful would be the personal memories from our own families of amazing deeds.

In my own case I remember the love of my mother who uncomplainingly died of cancer when I was a young man. We all have these examples of unconditional love close to us and which inspire us.

Can we have these memories as foundations to reignite the passion for the unconditional love shown by that human person who said that he is the way the truth and the life: the way of kindness, the truth of our personal identity and the life of everlasting love?

John Kusel, Cumbernauld