Momentous 2.5

Dear All Saints and St Marys

There have been two and a half momentous occasions in the life of the worldwide church in recent weeks:

Pope Leo 14th and King Charles praying together in the Sistine Chapel, a holy place which lies at the heart of the Roman Catholic Church.  The backdrop is the magnificent portrayal of the Last Judgement, painted by Michelangelo.  The King was there not solely as monarch, but also as the supreme Governor of the Church of England.  Both Pope and King guide, govern and encourage their branches of the worldwide church, not through dictat, but by drawing on the wisdom of the ages, and through their own personal examples of attempting to live a godly life.  500 years of discord - sad though much of that has been - is set against the background of God patiently drawing us closer by grace, towards our heavenly home.  That is what it means to live “under the judgement of God”. 

Sarah Mullally, currently Bishop of London, has been appointed to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.  I did not think that I would live to see the day when a woman - a gracious, strong, godly woman - would sit on the Throne of Saint Augustine.  She takes on the mantle of guiding the Church of England, formally begun in 597 AD - a church which has weathered storms and dangers, which has at times been a shining example of Christ-like living (and at times has cloaked the light for the Holy Spirit, through timidity, half-heartedness and resistance).  The Church of England has never been perfect - but is at its best when humbly seeking to discern God’s will afresh in new circumstances, and sacrificial serving all people of this land.

The “half” momentous occasion has been the decision from the House of Bishops to pause its efforts to make the Church of England a more inclusive, hospitable church (by recognising the full contributions of LGBTI+ disciples).  I am truly saddened by this.  But I take heart from the other two examples - that the journey towards building God’s kingdom on earth is neither easy nor short; that God’s gracious providential care will not be thwarted.

This Sunday marks the festival of All Saints, when we are called to remember the “saints” of past generations (some of whom, as they sought to be faithful to God, made decisions that we now question), the “saints” from different countries and cultures to our own, and the “saints” who do not look like us.  I put the word in inverted commas, because saints are not only to be found in stained glass windows.  Saints are all those who listen attentively for God’s word, who know they won’t get everything right, but who trust in the continuing inexhaustible kindness of God. 

Rev'd Bob