Discovering Jesus in the Other

Discovering Jesus in the Other is a collaboration between retired Church of Ireland bishop Alan and Catholic pastoral worker Jim, both of whom lived through the Northern Ireland Troubles and their aftermath. Challenged and enriched by each other’s life story, the authors discovered the value of understanding our history from the perspective of the ‘other side’. Rather than demonising ‘the other’, they have been inspired to discover Jesus in the other. Alan and Jim recount their experiences at different stages of their lives and faith journeys in the context of the Troubles and the North’s divided community. They remember the gentle nudges of the Spirit as they moved from their own sectarian backgrounds to a growing awareness of the oneness of all people. At the end of each chapter, Alan and Jim suggest questions that can be used individually or in parish or community groups, and scripture passages for meditation and reflection. ‘Alan and Jim have written this book with great honesty and humility … Their personal narratives reveal the importance of their faith and how they have relied on it … an ideal book to study in small groups.’Martin J. Magill, parish priest, St John’s Parish, Falls Road, and co-founder of the 4 Corners Festival'Captivating stories of two men who courageously crossed boundaries … and found their fear of the other dissolve into the enrichment of friendship.’Rev. Steve Stockman MBE, minister at Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, Belfast, and co-founder of the 4 Corners Festival‘The honesty and humility of the reflections help us to see that our human frailty need not be a barrier … but can provide instead a source of insight and connection.’Nicola Brady, general secretary, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland