In this week's video, Bishop Richard uses backdrop of Hereford Cathedral's corona – a symbolic representation of Jesus' crown of thorns – to explore the paradox of Jesus' character and ministry, and Jesus' favoured description of himself as the 'Son of Man'. He is both 'Christ the King, but at the same time remarkably human.''If Jesus is this extraordinary ‘both and’ character, it is no surprise that his Kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world. The origin of Jesus' Kingdom 'is not in the will of human beings with their desires for power and control. It is an expression of God’s justice and righteousness which will never end.''The marks of the Kingdom Jesus talks about in the Sermon on the Mount are about character, behaviour and ethics, and perceptive insight into where happiness is really to be found. It paints a picture of a transformed earth of kindness, love, mutual support and contentment. But these things don’t appear in isolation, but when we submit to Christ as King.'Now may you find in Christ, riches and restMay you be blessed in him, and he in youIn Heaven, where to grant you your requestIs always blessing, for your heart is true:True to yourself and true to Christ your King.Breathe through this coronation psalm and viewThe glory of his golden crown, then singThe exaltation, goodness, life and power,The blessing and salvation Christ will bring.But first he wears a darker crown. The hourIs coming and has come. Our Lord comes downInto the heart of all our hurts to wearWith us the sharp corona spina, crownOf thorns, and to descend with us to deathBefore he shares with us the golden crown.Poem by Malcolm GuiteBishop Richard's weekly video #223There is a transcript of this week's video on the diocesan website.
In this week's video, Bishop Richard shares his concerns about the recently published UK bill to allow assisted suicide to those who are terminally ill. It is right that we should want anyone close to the end of their life to 'die well and as comfortbaly as possible'.However, Bishop Richard says that 'the huge danger -- and it has been shown in every jurisdiction that starts down this road -- is that the commendable desire to relieve suffering quickly morphs into vulnerable people feeling they ought to end their lives so as not to be a burden.'He concludes: '... such a move runs huge risks in diminishing our respect for one another and threatening the vulnerable. The offer of choice for some may in the end for many prove to be no choice at all.'Bishop Richard's weekly video #222There is a transcript of this week's video on the diocesan website.
As always, our Parish News is packed with stories from our villages. Do have a look at all the Advent and Christmas events happening in our parishes, plus the usual wildlife notes, book reviews, lots of small ads, and of course a Chuckle Corner.You can click the link below to view or download the December edition of the Parish News in PDF format.Thank you for all your support this year!
Following the recent publication of the Makin report into the 'horrendous abuse perpetrated by John Smyth', Bishop Richard reminds us all to be vigilant, and then urges us 'to pray or all victims and survivors of the failings of our Church, pray for good safeguarding practice and culture to be embedded in our parishes, and for people to be listened to if they tell us their stories, and those stories acted upon in the proper way.'He concludes by saying, 'Lord have mercy on your Church, make us holy, make us kind, make us caring, make us safe, that the love of Christ will still shine through our frailty and brokenness.'Bishop Richard's weekly video #221There is a transcript of this week's video on the diocesan website.
