'Fractured' the bleak title of a recent analysis of the current human predicament explains why it is no surprise that many clergy, laity, and congregations are weary, with minimal energy and enthusiasm for initiative.
One of the prime Christian patterns established by Jesus is to gather for worship, traditionally on ‘the Lord’s Day’, and also 'at all times and in all places’ in a myriad of styles and patterns.
Association in groups by humans is a natural behaviour but as author Jon Yates explains, in this era, the institutions that enable varieties of people to mix together have all but disappeared.
This, coupled with the severe restrictions of a pandemic, may give insight as to why the priority of public worship can be a burden as well as a joy.
A burden, because the Church of England is one of the rare 21st Century institutions that still expects regular gathering and ideally, going against the flow of the dominant preference to be with 'people like me', is open to welcoming all sorts and conditions of people.
A joy because God loves his creatures to give him glory as we praise him in company and encourage one another in word and sacrament and ideally, in gathering, be part of a Church that is a sign of hope for a fractured society.
For lay and ordained leaders, participation in such a movement of the Holy Spirit requires regular renewal of health and strength.
Perhaps one way to start renewing our balance and perspective is to remember the prayer attributed to Pope John 23rd at a particularly stressful time in the last century “It’s your Church Lord. I’m going to bed.”
I pray that you will awake refreshed, empowered, and joyful for what the Lord Jesus is doing ahead of you, in the company of all the saints.
