The Church Of The Holy Rood -- Wool, Dorset, U.K.
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The Church Of The Holy Rood -- Wool, Dorset, U.K.
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New beginnings promise much but how can they deliver? As 1 was preparing for a new start, as priest-in-charge of this parish, I was particularly aware of other new beginnings during May. Although overshadowed by news of Tony Blair's long-awaited announcement of when he is to step down, it's worth spending a few moments reflecting on these new beginnings. The French elected a new President, new district councillors were elected in England and a new Scottish Parliament and a new Welsh Assembly were also elected. Perhaps most important, of all, a new phase of power-sharing began in Northern Ireland. We know it will take more than a few handshakes and fine speeches to actually make this work in Northern Ireland. All the parties concerned will have to learn how to work together and trust one another. It won't be plain sailing. My daily Bible readings for May included portions of the book of Deuteronomy. It records the moment when the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, after forty years wandering the wilderness. As they stood poised on the brink of this new venture, Moses reminded the people of how their relationship with God was supposed to work, and how from time to time they had rejected God's guidance with painful consequence. Two ideas recur throughout the book: “Remember why it is you have come to this place.” “Take care to follow the commands God gave you.” If they do this, they are promised, “it will go well with you in the land”. Please pray with me for the leaders of Northern Ireland that they remember constantly that the purpose of power-sharing is to bring peace and justice to all its people, and that they may always be guided by God in this. Pray also for this parish, that we never lose sight of our call to share God's love with everyone we meet and that we, too, will always be guided by Him.
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