April 2008

Dear Friends

 

As I write, the celebrations have only just started for the tremendous achievement of the Welsh rugby team in winning not only the Six Nations tournament, and not only the Triple Crown, but the Grand Slam itself – five wins out of five, and what a fantastic finish to the final game as Wales beat France at the Millennium Stadium.  As you read, I imagine the celebrations will be giving way somewhat, although let the momentum of victory carry the team forwards into the tour of South Africa this summer, and on to greater heights!

 

Jonathan Davies, himself a Welsh playing legend, offered some reflections about his expectations of the Wales team.  When asked, had he thought that Wales could win the Six Nations?, he replied:  before the series had started, no way; at half time in the first match (vs England ), no chance;  but by the end of that game, no problem!  By the determined and energetic play of the team, and on the basis of what they had accomplished even in a single game, a new hope rose up, and hopes found their fulfilment as the following matches were won in succession.

 

I recognise that not all of us carry the same torch for the Principality, and that a few here are better qualified that I am to do so, but isn’t there a parable, even a parallel, here for us all as the church in this season after Easter?  The prospect was an unlikely one as the first disciples went into Good Friday, but the outcome was an amazing transformation (completed, if that’s the word, at Pentecost).  Could there be a good result as Jesus walked the way of suffering and went to the cross?  But a new hope rose, a new joy was experienced, a thrilling discovery was made as Jesus was raised from the dead.  What a victory, what a triumph, what a celebration!!

 

The truth of the resurrection is the hope above all hopes that marks our Christian faith as distinctive, a hope that gives us a sense of peace in the face of anything, even death itself, a hope that assures us of God’s goodness and mercy even as life throws its worst at us.  Easter then is the season of hope, and in a year when hope is high on the agenda, let us hold onto the great hope-giving news that Jesus is alive, Jesus is still alive!  And this is something to keep us celebrating not just until the next difficult fixture, or indeed until the surely inevitable defeat, but this is an eternal truth to fill us with joy and hope through our lives and on forever. 

 

I am reminded of the title of the previous Lent Study series called ‘Living as an Easter People in a Good Friday World’, and recognise that this then is our challenge and our calling to be a people of hope through all, hope despite all, hope above all.  As early church father St Augustine of Hippo once wrote, so let us be, “An Easter people, with Alleluia as our song”.

 

With my love and prayers, in Christ

 

Andrew