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Good morning.  There’s no doubt that Seville is one of the most exuberant and colourful places in Spain – the home of celebrated figures of literature and history.  The legendary Don Juan set out from the city to conquer the hearts of women across all Europe, while Christopher Columbus sailed from a port close by to discover a new world.  Prosper Merimée's Carmen, who couldn't make her mind up between the officer Don José and the bullfighter Escamillo, was a worker in Seville's old tobacco factory. And by the way, this factory serves today as part of the university - a fact that might give you a glimpse into Andalusian talent for improvisation!

But it’s the huge Gothic cathedral – the largest in Europe – that I want to take you into this morning.  A few days ago I crept into the vast building myself for the early devotions.  The crimson cassocked priests stood in the choir stalls chanting the psalms.  They then processed to the chancel in front of the enormous golden altar reredos carved in the 15th century out of walnut, laburnum and chestnut.  To be able to kneel and gaze at this fantastic creation as the light gradually revealed more and more of its detail was a profound experience – 44 sculptured panels telling vividly the life of Jesus - the story of how God gave himself to the world.   Then the main doors opened and more and more people flooded into the cathedral – mainly tourist parties clutching cameras – but their faces were obviously affected by the glory around them.  It wasn’t difficult to utter a prayer for them and for us today: Lord, you came as one of us to stand with us in the struggles of life.  Encourage and strengthen us that, whatever our circumstances, through you we may know God’s will. Amen.