Page 4 - 2nd Proofs

A D V E N T M E S S A G E

F R O M T H E B I S H O P

Dear Saints,

As I write this Advent message I am reminded of how I have explored with you, THE RT REVD DR STEVE MOREO
in my Pastoral letters since Synod last year, the need for reconciliation and
faithfulness, hope and love. We have journeyed together, as Parishes, organiza- Bishop of Johannesburg
tions and schools have applied themselves to my call for intentional disciple-
ship, children and youth ministry, and clergy formation. All this has been done Too often we shrug our shoulders and accept the discordant noises of ha-
in a country facing socio-political and economic challenges that have placed tred, greed and corruption that crowd around us. Has this not something to
enormous strain on the norms and values of our people. do with a nervousness among ourselves as Anglicans and Christians of
reflecting this soul-light that would enable us to be a visible monastery of
Economically, the ever rising cost of living and high unemployment are ram- Jesus? This soul-light that should be the image we see in the mirror of
pant. Our Church cannot be found wanting in its ministry to those without jobs. I
society, not the negative ones that assault us in every medium, personal
know such outreach has to take place as the “haves” in our Churches them-
and corporate, that we encounter!
selves face hard times, epitomized by high fuel prices and increasing interest
rates. Let us go personally this Advent to meditate and pray. Perhaps we can sepa-
rate ourselves for a few minutes each day from the intrusive outside noises
Politically, the country is fraught with tension, often characterized by intention- and turn to prayer. Can we explore how to be true curators of the Creation
ally hurtful words by political leaders. The naked sin of racism is alive and well
which we will celebrate with the coming of the Peace Child at the end of
in every segment of our society - including political party committee rooms
Advent? Shirley Erena Murray surely puts it in perspective in these contem-
where strategies for next year’s general election are already being hatched.
There is no room for racism. But we live in a divisive society in which political plative words;
cleavages can, regrettably, be expected to become more pronounced as we Peace Child
approach next year’s general elections. This should not be the case but our in the sleep of the night,
divided society makes hurtful speech an attractive proposition for political lead-
in the dark before light
ers and, even for the average person in the pew.
you come,
In the Church, there has been an unacceptably high number of cases in many in the silence of stars,
denominations in which pastors have found themselves in civil courts because in the violence of wars—
of abhorrent values, norms and questionable theological practices. Church
Saviour, your name.
courts have been hard at work dealing with recalcitrant members of the clergy.

The Church has done itself no favours as repeated instances of sexual and Peace Child,
other abuse emerge.
to the road and the storm,
Those are some of the images that reflect in the mirror of society I hold up, both to the gun and the bomb
for my examination and yours, as we approach Advent - a season of reflection
you come,
and hope. As the time in which we begin our Christian year, it is therefore right
through the hate and the hurt,
that we pause and discern how Christians generally, and Anglicans in particular,
can weave ourselves harmoniously into a world to make it more loving and through the hunger and dirt— My hope and wish for
livable. It is a season for stillness. It is Advent: a time to reflect on the awesome Bearing a dream. you this Advent is
legacy we have as the curators of creation - even as we await the coming of the that you can pray
Peace Child,
Messiah. with such single
to our dark and our sleep,
In his book, “Into the Silent Land”, Martin Laird writes of a novice who was to the conflict we reap, mindedness. And if
denied entry to a monastery until he had fully understood his role as a person prayer sometimes
with a divine calling. After many trying challenges, but also after devoting him- now come - comes to you with
self incessantly to the search for what gave harmonious light to the world, the be your dream born alive, difficulty (it does to
novice revealed an inner truth: “Jesus Christ is my monastery”. The statement held in hope, wrapped in love: many), bear in mind
is consistent with the sacrament of belief described by Celtic author, John God’s true shalom. these words by
O’Donohue as a visible sign of invisible grace. Out desire for expression, je That is a prayer that speaks directly to James Montgomery:
says, lies deep inside our selves, inside our souls.
the challenges of the word in which we “Prayer is the soul’s
O’Donohue is correct when he explains that the soul is not simply within the live. It calls us to prayer, to pray with sincere desire,
body, but the converse. He says: “Your body is in the soul, and the soul suffus- light of your soul. How can we touch the uttered or
es you completely. Therefore all around you, there is a secret and beautiful soul world lightly to make it an harmonious unexpressed”.
-light”. creation, in all its facets?

“ J O U R N E Y T H E R E F O R E W I T H A C L E A R F O C U S O N T H E L I G H T I N T O T H I S A D V E N T - T I M E , T O C H R I S T M A S
A N D B E Y O N D . L E T Y O U R S O U L - L I G H T B E S E E N A N D F E L T B Y A L L T H O S E A R O U N D Y O U . L I Z I W E A N D I
W I S H Y O U A B L E S S E D A D V E N T , A H A P P Y C H R I S T M A S , A N D A P E A C E F U L N E W Y E A R . A L L O W J E S U S T O B E
Y O U R A B I D I N G M O N A S T E R Y I N T O F U T U R E . ”

The Cathedral of St Mary the Virgin - Newsletter I page 4