ODDI WRTH YR ESGOB...
FROM THE BISHOP...
Bishop John writes his Ad Clerum to the clergy of the Diocese every month. You can read the text on this page.
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Advent 4
Bishop John formally retired as Bishop of St Asaph on Sunday 21st December. This letter was read at services across the diocese:
Today, through the agency of Mary, the church is greeted with the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ. Gabriel announces that the promised saviour is coming into our world to establish his kingdom of justice and peace.
This last Sunday of the church’s year coincides with my last Sunday as bishop of St Asaph and gives me the opportunity to express my gratitude not only for the support you have given me personally but for the faith you have shown during a period of rapid change both in the church and in our society. The Spirit of God blows ever fresh upon the church, giving energy, inspiration and new life. This same Holy Spirit who came upon Mary, the mother of our Lord, comes upon today’s church and fills us with hope for the future. Because Jesus enters our history and becomes part of our story.
But like Mary in today’s Gospel, we have to ask what this might mean for us as, for we too are to be Christ-bearers. This is part of our preparation for the Lord’s coming.
The mother of our Lord experienced perplexity at the words of the angel, and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. And the Bible words used here reflect much of what we experience when challenged to speak and act in obedience to the Gospel. The Word of God comes unexpectedly into our lives through unlikely people and unexpected events. We are frequently thrown into confusion and find ourselves debating within ourselves their meaning. Yet we cannot, with integrity, dismiss a challenge without pondering deeply its implications. Mary’s combination of perplexity and holy pondering perhaps match our own mood during this short but frantic season of Advent. Mary’s encounter was a story leading somewhere, but quite where it was impossible to say, except that God would be at the heart of it.
And Mary was not to be afraid. This was good news for Mary’s world – and good news for ours.
“Fear not”, says the angel to us. Despite the problems that face us and our world, this is a time to be less anxious, less fearful. Do not be afraid for the future. Expect great things, hope for great things! The Saviour of the world comes to us in humility and peace. The Word made flesh knows our human condition and we are to be full of hope and expectation.
And if the angel delivered a message that dispelled fear, that is exactly the kind of messenger we should be. To be communicators of fear and negativity and to exploit anxiety is to act contrary to the Gospel. We are to be messengers who have a good hope in the Lord and who, like Mary, respond with humility, faith and obedience.
I would like to close on a personal note by expressing the hope that these qualities of humility, faith and obedience, which have been so much a part of my experience in the parishes will grow stronger and that faith will flourish under my successor. Please pray for a bishop who will be a faithful pastor.
Also, may Joan and I express our thanks and deep appreciation for your great kindness in contributing so generously to the gift of a cheque presented at the farewell service at the Cathedral on November 21st and for the many leaving gifts from parishes and individuals. We have been overwhelmed by your generosity.
I wish to close with a prayer from today’s Epistle, and the closing words of St Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my Gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ – to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever!” Amen.
+ John