Dear Friends,
Over the past few weeks the Church of England has had publicity and exposure to the press and television media on a scale it could only have dreamed about when things are “normal”, whatever that might mean. The old adage that “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” might not have sat too comfortably for those advising the Archbishop of Canterbury in the area of public relations!!
Newspaper columnists, radio presenters, TV anchormen, they all vied with each other to heap scorn and ridicule on the head of Rowan Williams and, by implication, the Church of England. Even politicians, no doubt being relieved not to have the searchlight shining on them for a change, jumped willingly onto the bandwagon as I expect did many of us. Like lemmings many joined in the attacks on the Archbishop without bothering to check up on just what he had said and in what context his words were uttered in the first instance. When I heard what he was alleged to have said so did I to my subsequent regret.
We live in a world which seems to delight in pouring scorn and ridicule on others, in making them appear silly or naive compared to us, whether it is politicians or film stars, religious leaders or simply people we know who live around us. When someone is prepared to speak out on any subject of importance the prime aim of our media, and therefore of us who revel in it, seems to be to attack even their very right to free speech. It is another example of the gang culture we see in so many of our young people and maybe, just maybe, they are simply following our lead.
As we approach the greatest of Christian festivals, that of Holy Week and Easter Day, it may well pay us to reflect on what happened to Jesus when the crowd bayed their objection to his speaking out. God sent his Son to live as an ordinary human being, a simple carpenter, to save us, love us and lead us all towards a closer relationship with his Father. Because of that love he had for everyone he spoke of things that did not sit well with the crowds.
As we make our own way through Lent into Passiontide and on to Holy Week it is a good time to quietly think about our response to events that happen around us and to people who impact on our lives, especially those as close to us as family or friend, neighbour or workmate. Perhaps we can have hearts and minds that are more open to others points of view, to different styles of living, to changing attitudes, and live just a little bit more like Jesus. What a great and happy Easter that would then give us all!!
God bless you and all those around you and may I take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful, peaceful and happy Easter. Come, let us all celebrate and be joyful!!!
John Baxter