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Sunday 29th. January 2012, EPIPHANY 4

The Last Word

The news this morning is full of the £1m bonus to be paid to the Chairman of RBS. Indignation is everywhere – and I share some of it, tempered by the fact that I know little about pay scales, and have no clear alternative to “market forces” to offer. Limited differentials (between the highest and lowest paid) seem attractive, and I think some firms like Traidcraft operate them by consent, but how that might apply in the wider economy is harder to explain.

Of course the debate is likely to be influenced by greed and jealousy. For some (sinful) reason, we find it easier to compare ourselves

with those better off, rather than with those who have less than us,

or live in more difficult conditions. Yet in the world, we are among the most privileged, best protected, most secure of all people. Even life at British benefit levels is, for the world majority, a dream.

I suggest that we need to make the effort to come out of our isolation, and the self-pity which easily creeps into it. (“Everyone else is getting . .”) We belong to a family. At the local level, we share with the congregations of the Parish. But it is not only at the local level. It is important that we share in the Diocesan family, and the struggles and triumphs it goes through. And it is important that, for our own good as well as theirs, we share with the global

Christian family. It enriches us to know of their lives, faith, and endurance. It saves us from isolation, greed, jealousy, self-pity, -

not of course that we indulge them. Well, not often. Well . .

“Charity begins at home” ? I suppose as long as you stress begins. God’s love (charity) applies here, but extends without boundaries.

I haven’t quite managed to get to that, yet.

Andrew Knight

Sunday 5th. February. 2012, 3rd. Before Lent

The Last Word

Bishop Graham Cray in his newsletter said, “The challenge facing the churches in 2012 is the re-evangelization of Britain. This is a diverse task, . . . It is a call to sensitive contextual mission, based on confidence in the gospel, but humility, when deciding how it is to be shared and embodied.” That seems to fit with the Mothers’ Union eucharist we celebrated this (Friday) morning in St Mary’s, Swansea, using the readings for the Saints, Martyrs and Missionaries of Europe.

The set of readings included Is 52:7 “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation. .” We are used to saying that “good news” is “gospel” – but have sometimes forgotten that the reverse also has to be true: “gospel”, especially if it is to be heard and acted on, has to be “goodnews”.

In much of Britain, the lack of interest in Christian faith has a lot to do with the fact that is isn’t thought to be goodnews at all. We have to change that, by example and by making sure that what we offer to the wider community is understood to be helpful and timely. (That is why projects like Street Pastors and the Swansea Night Shelter matter to more than those directly involved).

But we need to make a start by looking at our own attitudes and habits. How convinced are you that God has your best interests at heart? Do you really think that his love for you (never mind anyone else at this stage) is the best thing that could happen, and is the thing that will help you to a truly joyful and fulfilled life? You cannot properly respond to the gospel until you have some idea of how good it is!

Andrew Knight