In her long reign, the Queen has given only one address to mark Easter. It was last year, early in lockdown. To a nation and Commonwealth struggling with a historic crisis, she said that “the discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this”.Her Majesty could not have foreseen that Christians, then prevented even from attending church, would still face tight restrictions at Easter in 2021. Yet the continuing devastation inflicted by the pandemic and the restrictions on liberties required to protect the vulnerable make her message still more vital. When worshippers assemble today to recall the crucifixion of Christ and the atonement, they will still be limited in numbers, required to wear masks and practise social distancing, and unable to sing together.In an age of pluralism and doubt it is easy to overlook how arduous isolation is for members of a religious community. Worship is a matter not only of private devotion but also of communal identity. Christians have had to draw on deep reserves of faith in the past year to maintain confidence in the future and the hope of redemption. And, across the nation, they have applied that faith by acts of kindness towards their neighbours and communities, by distributing food or communicating by any means possible with those who are lonely, fearful or, especially, grieving.In the plague year of 1624, the poet and preacher John Donne wrote his famous lines: “Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” To many of those whom today’s pandemic has claimed, or who have lost loved ones prematurely because of it, the fellowship of the church has provided solace. The sacrifices made by Christians should command the respect and gratitude of their fellow citizens, of all faiths and none.
Honesty, Humility and Hope in Holy WeekA highlight of the past week for me was the Archbishop of Canterbury zooming into the diocese for some pastoral care. He invited all present to offer three words to describe how they were feeling at present. Our amazing comms team enabled all this to be translated into a wordle. Front and centre was hopeful. Around this, words that stood out for me were exhausted, tired and weary. They reminded me of that Easter cartoon which did the rounds a few years ago and which proclaimed ‘The Lord is Risen. The Clergy is Dead!’.In response to our three words (and three excellent words by Chris, Tara and Esther), I heard and saw Archbishop Justin articulate and model three words in response: honesty, humility and hope. Honesty was articulated through acknowledging his own mistakes and struggles in the past year; humility was expressed through a recognition that frenetic activism is not the answer to the challenges that face us; and hope was celebrated in recognising the sovereignty of the God who in Jesus leads us beyond the cross to the empty tomb.I sense that inhabiting these three words will bring blessing to Holy Week this year. Let’s pray for honesty on Maundy Thursday as we allow Jesus to wash our feet, acknowledging that they might feel as if they can walk no further; let’s pray for humility on Good Friday as we recognise that nothing other than Jesus’ work on the cross can save us from ourselves and the delusion that we can save ourselves; let’s pray to be filled with hope on Easter Sunday as we sing again (in a Covid safe way!) that ‘we are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song!’.It is such an immense privilege to serve the leaders and people of this diocese. I’m extremely aware that we arrive at this Eastertide after what has felt like a very long Lent. Please, please make sure that you take proper rest after Easter as we face an extended season of recovery.With love and gratitude,Paul Davies, Archdeacon of Surrey
