Old Kevie is the barometer in our street. If he says it’s Yellow Bin Night (Recycling), then it is. Or if he puts out his Green Bin (green waste), then so does the rest of the street. Kev’s reliability has saved me on several occasions from the bother of uncollected rubbish, and I am grateful for his memory and attention to detail. And woe to any neighbour who defies him.

But last week, I had to go over Kevie’s head. He took the lead in putting out his Yellow Bin. But when I checked mine, it was only half full, which sowed a seed of doubt. Not only that, but my Green Bin was full. And so, being troubled in mind, I checked the Council website, only to discover that Kevie was right, and despite the testimony of my bins, I had to swallow my pride and follow his lead.

How good to have an external barometer. And especially when it comes to matters of faith. Regarding the matter of the divinity of Christ, Peter said in his second letter, I was there, on the sacred mountain, when Jesus’ face lit up like the sun, and when the Father spoke from heaven. Not only that but the ancient prophecies announced it all in advance. Not to mention that James and John and Elijah and Moses were also on the mount and saw the same. How good to know, when my mind plays tricks, and when my heart is half-full of rubbish.