May, 2013

Do you ever begin to doubt things that you were once certain of? Do you find yourself asking "why?" when what you really mean, with barely supressed anger is "this should not be."

The month of May opens in the Christian calendar still in that curious season which rejoices in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and yet is still awaiting his return to his heavenly Father which we mark at the feast of the Ascension. We marvel at the reactions of those who met the risen Christ: Mary who realised the truth when he spoke her name; The followers who only understood when he broke bread with them; St Thomas, who for all his faith is remembered because of his doubting that Jesus really could have returned.

All of these things happened to people who had heard Jesus say many times that he would return. But faith is not the same as fact. It is not certainty. We feel sure, but it is in the nature of our humanity that we are weaker than we realise, and faith is a living, developing thing. Those who defend a thousand and one Christian certainties as though it were a fortress haven’t quite got the point that only by living your faith can you understand and deepen it.

From financial investments right through to the unpredictable weather, we are aware that we live in uncertain times. But before we get upset that things haven’t gone the way we planned we should consider the uncertain nature of life’s journey. The pilgrimage of life was summed up well by J.R.R.Tolkien in a verse you will find in his famous book "The Lord of the Rings".

The road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began
Now far ahead the road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

That is all the certainty there is yet still we can and must go forward. For the believer the real strength comes from the knowledge that faith means knowing that we do not travel alone. The final departure of Christ at his Ascension is the necessary preparation for Pentecost later in May when God’s Holy Spirit comes to those searching for strength and guidance. He brings real life to those wavering in faith. It happened 2000 years ago………..and it happens still.

Rev'd Christopher Wood, Rector.