Trust

Do not let your hearts be troubled. So Jesus says to his disciples. It does not mean that our hearts are not to be sad. They are not to be troubled; panic or despair is not in the vocabulary of the disciple.

Sadness comes on many levels and different guises. We experience it very bitterly in bereavement, to a lesser degree in the parting of friends; we experience it selfishly when we do not have it our way. Many of us Anglo-Catholics are experiencing sadness in its bitter level. We are understood, make no mistake, but we are not wanted by those who want to re-write the Bible. We are saddened when CofE bishops, those chosen to feed the sheep, look on the other side. When was the last time that they stood together and with one voice stood up for the Faith?

Since Monday I was immersed in Baptism and Wedding preparations, funerals, schools, visits and pastoral meetings, all this underpinned by Mass, the Office and other daily prayers and equally by the prayers and support of the people of this Parish. It is a privilege beyond one’s wildest expectations, as a holy man once told me there is no better place then when we are on our knees washing feet.

So it is with sadness that I cannot comprehend the madness leading people in the CofE not to make provision for us and/or encourage us, as groups, to be Anglicans in full communion with the Pope. Why create fudge that is not acceptable? Is it to ease consciences or is it to accommodate some who like the icing but not cake? I do not know. What I know is that after telling his disciples not to allow their hearts to be troubled our Lord told them to believe and trust in God and in himself.

So as we continue proclaiming the Gospel we fix our eyes on Christ and our hearts will never be troubled. As we continue to journey in Lent we ask to re-learn trust. As we prepare to celebrate the feast day of St Joseph we sit at his feet and learn what trust really means.