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Jesus’ words (Mark chapter 12 vs 29) are not difficult to understand. He couldn’t be clearer about what He thinks we should do as we live out our lives.
Love God. Heart. Soul. Mind. Strength. Love your neighbour as much as you love yourself.
So, we can be in no doubt about what we are supposed to do and yet we do not follow these commandments. At least, I don’t. Not all the time. I try and fail and try and fail and don’t try and fail and occasionally succeed for a while before failing again.
The education team explored some psychometric testing this week, led by Archdeacon, Derek Chedzy. It was a really fun and interesting exercise using the C-Me materials which many people will be familiar with. One of the things it showed is the extent of the difference between your authentic self (the person you are when you are at home alone sitting on the sofa) and the person you are at work in your professional encounters. Sometimes, for some people, they are similar but more often they are markedly different. We can understand why that might be, but doesn’t it seem like hard work to be so different from who you really are all? I can’t help wondering whether there would have been any difference in the two profiles for Jesus. What do you think?
Henri Nouwen said that to know ourselves truly and acknowledge fully our unique journey, we need to be known and acknowledged by others for who we are. We cannot live a spiritual life in secrecy.
The new church year begins on Sunday (Advent Sunday) and across the world, we will light the first candle on the Advent Crown. As far as I’m concerned, the advent crown is the first fully authorised decoration which can go up, even though it is technically an Advent decoration not a Christmas decoration.
Like all new years, the new church year is a fresh start. A turning of a new page, a new chapter and an opportunity for some resolutions. A good moment to rededicate our lives, heart, soul, mind and strength to God. To keep his commandments when we are tired, when we are irritable, when we feel impatient, when we are late, when we are wronged, when we are upset, when we are frustrated. I am looking forward to that fresh start and a new beginning to see if I can do any better this time.
Advent Prayer
Precious Jesus, you came
so that we might know
we are yours by choice;
loved, embraced, saved
by your love and grace,
welcomed to your family
and precious in your sight.
You came, so that we
might be made complete,
all we were ever meant to be.
You came, as a Shepherd
seeking every sheep that is lost
so you might bring them home.
And beyond even the cruel Cross
you are still Saviour, Messiah,
to all who would heed your call.
Amen
A huge congratulations to Alex Davies, Ben Ford and the Team at Stretton Sugwas CE Academy for their 'Excellent' SIAMS inspection report, which has now been published.
Unbelievably, there are only three more weeks of term left, although most headteachers will feel like they still have 6 weeks of things still to be done. There are no easy answers to that stressful feeling. Although beautiful, the run up to Christmas in schools is always a very, very busy period. When I was a headteacher, I found some sanctuary from the intensive crescendo, within the school worship time itself, especially when I wasn’t leading. The moments of prayerful reflection with the children and other staff and a good old sing, provided an effective refocussing and a reconnection with the Holy Spirit during the working day, which helped me to ‘go again’. Good coffee and chocolate also helped.
Thank you for all that you are doing in support of our precious schools. Blessings for a restful weekend and for the week ahead, as the new season of advent gets underway.
Andrew
Canon Andrew Teale
Diocesan Director of Education
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