The Vicar Writes
November 2008
The Bigger Picture
Dear Friends,
Recently, as those of you who heard my sermon on the subject already know, I had the great pleasure and privilege of visiting the Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament. I was part of a Darlington Partnership delegation visiting Westminster trying to build stronger links with the private sector for the benefit of the Darlington community. We probably couldn't have chosen a worse day!
I was fortunate to be one of a few chosen to be in the gallery for Questions to the Prime Minister: it turned out to be a momentous occasion. This was the time when the sense of crisis in the global financial and banking systems was reaching a climax; a massive £500 billion of support by the government had been announced that morning and there was talk of little else. Sitting there, looking down on those green benches and the members of the commons doing their business on yet another historic day just brought home the fact that many times in that place debates have taken place and decisions made that have influenced the course of history.
Now, afterwards, I crossed the road and spent an hour looking around Westminster Abbey. I haven't done that since I was a teenager, probably because one now has to pay to get in! On this occasion I was wearing my clerical collar and so was simply waved in; the only other time that has happened to me was when I was visiting the Vatican in the summer! Anyhow, once inside the Abbey, I was struck by how much of our nation's history is evident in that ancient house of prayer. There are the tombs of monarchs such as Queen Elizabeth I and her rival Mary Queen of Scots, of Henry V and Henry Tudor, of St. Edward the Confessor; also of the Unknown Soldier and of countless eminent poets, scientists and statesmen. There is also the ancient and surprisingly-battered coronation chair that has been used for a thousand years. All of these things, I found, and some of the great events of the past millennium to which they testify helped to put the events of the day into perspective. They served as a reminder of the bigger picture.
This is precisely what our faith can help to give us: the bigger picture. Certainly, this is what Christ did by his whole life; by his ministry of teaching and healing; by his suffering and death; by his resurrection and ascension. He reminded humanity that there is more to life than can often meet the eye; and this life is given by and lived under a loving God whose providence cannot be compromised by the passing crises of the world. This is truth that can help nations to act calmly and wisely in times of trouble and turmoil, it is truth that can strengthen and sustain individuals and families at trying and testing times. The Christian Gospel reminds us that the real bigger picture is one that gives hope in every situation.
St. Paul in many of his letters to infant church communities was trying to make a similar point. These letters were to people who faced the reality of suffering and persecution. On one occasion he wrote to the church in Philippi, "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). This is truth and reassurance that the world still desperately needs; this is no less the case at a time of economic downturn and global financial chaos. Of course, we Christians constantly need to be reminded of this bigger picture. Attending church regularly, praying, reading scripture and sharing Holy Communion help to keep before us that bigger picture of a God who is always with us and who can be trusted.
All Saints and All Souls
The first two days of November, All Saints and All Souls, give us reminders of aspects of the bigger picture that we can often overlook. We are marking both on Sunday 2nd.
All Saints' Day, when we remember the ordinary holy people of the church down the ages, is especially important to us because it is our patronal festival. We use it as an opportunity to give thanks for the ways in which we see God at work in the life of this parish (in the ordinary, every-day lives of its people) and in its church. We also use it as a time of focused prayer for both parish and church. The services when we will be doing this are in the morning of Sunday 2nd at 8.30am and 10.30am. I very much hope that as many people as possible will make the effort to be with us for one of those.
In the evening of that same day we remember those people who now live in God's closer presence and whom we ourselves have loved in this world. This is our commemoration of the faithful departed. During the 6.30pm service we will remember in prayer every person who has had a funeral through this parish over the past year. If you would like additional names to be included, simply add them to the list that will be available before the service begins. For each of those remembered a candle will be lit. This is an expression of the love that we still have for those who have died and also of our faith that they remain within the love of God, as indeed do we. This is the bigger picture that we always need to keep in view.
With all best wishes
John