Fr Rory Writes:
Eternal Father, Loving God
Who made us from the dust of earth
Transform us by the spirit’s grace
Give value to our little worth
Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal
“By His wounds we have been healed”, has been a traditional focus for our spirituality and is a great help to me at this time. On my way to bed recently, having switched off the TV, from which the only consolation came through Spring Watch and Gardeners’ World. The almost unescapable, unavoidable news media is an affliction of the highest order. In its unending search for the worst news that it can get, and with the twist that it constantly brings to the coronavirus is trying to take hold of me.
The stress that we are living with, the implication of the lockdown means that the days and weeks are simply disappearing. While this, for me, helps the passing of time, its loss to our lives is very real and needs the best and most positive attention that we can give. We are now passing the longest day, and the excellent weather a solid bonus. If it were not for the virus, 2020 might have been a very special year.
Having acknowledged the difficulties and damage that is being done, it is more important to be aware of God’s help and His promise to turn all things to good. Truly appreciate moments of grace – spring walks, with people’s generosity and kindness. With shops, businesses and works opening, there is a need to try to get on with life. The churches’ opening has brought home to me, “easier said than done”. We have received all the requirements and the directions for opening our churches, and with our age profile (as indeed with most churches), it presents us with a great challenge as we cannot ask for help from those willing persons who are over seventy.
During the night I was filled with great apprehension for our situation. As deep awareness of my faults and failings, a powerful thought came to me that I should go home. A fear was upon me. Then about 3am I had a great sense of consolation, a deep, deep awareness of God’s grace, and that through the help of God’s grace, Jesus would prepare the way for our churches to be open. Our need for help in every way, stewarding, cleaning, encouraging our parishioners to come back to church, initially for private prayer, bringing with them an atmosphere of togetherness. A new generation and a new church need to be in our planning for the future.
Again, thanks to those who are developing our website. We will be using it with our newsletter to re-establish our parish, please God, bigger and better. There is a lovely scene with the lambs on our website. We will now develop into God’s flock flourishing in His Kingdom.