Wednesday 7 July 2010

Not all of it is good My Lord.

Having just been told that Jeffrey John is not be the next Bishop of Southwark I assume that some (who don't know me) will be surprised to find that I am not overjoyed at the news.

As I said earlier this week, this whole episode was not about JJ! That said, it was obvious that for many it was all about him and, at the end of the day, it was him who was set to be vilified in election or triumphed over in defeat. Some will be crowing about the victory whilst others will merely see their resolve hardened. The result will be that battle lines and vitriolic endeavours are hardened and the the opportunity for restraint on both sides will be further diminished and remove any chance of real dialogue.

There are many issues here and I hope that these may still be discussed, but for my part I feel for the man. As I preach so often, we need to find the places where we can agree and find unity, and this is the Cross, before we struggle with our differences. There are many tensions regarding theological and other considerations and, just as 2003, many people who angered by the pain and rejection of the man will howl at the apparent duplicity and betrayal. I recall the pain liberal friends felt in 2003 and don't expect it to be any less this time as they reflect on the part Rowan Williams has played in 2010. Their claim to have a 'friend in high places' has once again appeared hollow and this will undoubtedly sting.

As much as I wanted Rowan to act rightly (as I understand it) in the current place the Anglican Communion finds itself I was also fearful that this might damage a human being (regardless of the outcome) and my prayers are with JJ tonight that he will know the love and peace of God in this, what I would imagine is a very personally painful, situation made all too public.

Tonight neither side have the victory because the Church has been further marred and damaged and the confusion (on both sides) continues. We (all of us) need clear and unequivocal leadership and a way forward that would allow us to co-exist without continuing this damaging of each other that is becoming a hallmark of Anglicanism.

Where will we find unity? Not in accepting or denying homosexuality, women's ordination or any other issue such that factions fight. Only by working our ways of being separate such that we can be united. I continue to return to John 17 and Christ's interceding for us before the Father:

"Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them."


tu autem Domine miserere nobis

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