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Good morning, Today is a notable day for science. It was on this day in 1642 that Galileo – regarded by Einstein as the father of modern science – died; and on this day in 1942 that Professor Stephen Hawking was born. Hawking’s last thoughts - ‘Brief Answers to the Big Questions’ – featured recently as Radio 4’s Book of the Week. The quest of both the scientist and the theologian is to seek truth; to find answers to life’s big questions: where did we come from? What does it mean to be human? When does life begin and end? And a question that has occupied scientists for centuries: How did the universe come into being? Writing over 30 years ago in A Brief History of Time, Hawking said: "If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason." For centuries, science and faith have been pitted against each other rather than seen as partners on a journey to find the answers about life and the universe. But Galileo himself, whose heliocentrism – the theory that the earth moves around the Sun rather than the other way round - was seen as heretical by the Church; and yet he remained a devout Christian till he died. “God is known by nature in His works, and by doctrine in His revealed word,” Galileo said. And also that: “The Bible teaches men how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go.” Scientific advancements such as China’s Chang’e-4 spacecraft touching down on the far side of the moon last week will provide us with answers to some of humankind’s questions. What was previously unknown is now more known because of our quest for knowledge. Faith by no means delivers all the answers; but I believe it does provide an anchor during those times of existential dread. Science can provide many answers to important questions. But at the start of this new year, I don’t think these big questions will be the ones that keep many of us awake at night. We might worry not just about our place in the universe and whether or not God exists, but more immediate unknowns: what will happen to the UK’s planned departure from the European Union? Will my little one make friends at school? Will I be able to feed my family this month? How long do I have left with my loved one with terminal cancer? As I sat with my mother-in-law in her final hours on this earth a few years ago, her thoughts turned not to the cosmos, but very much closer to home. Will they be ok? In the end, I believe this is one of the only questions that resonates with us all.