What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • 1066 And All What?

    Death of Saint Harold

    This is an exciting moment for liturgists everywhere. It would appear that the Church of England has published a new prayer, this time commemorating the Battle of Hastings.

    Following some discussion last night on social media, I’m pleased to be able to provide this study guide to the prayer for those thinking of using it, in the form of 12 questions. (The questions may be useful for discussion groups).

    But first, the prayer itself.

    God of justice and mercy,
    whose Son came among us as the Prince of Peace:
    look with grace on all who look back on the Battle of Hastings
    as a defining moment in our history.
    Guide our island nation, poised between Europe and Scandinavia,
    and from the remembrance of defeat bring solidarity
    with oppressed, subjugated and humiliated peoples today.
    By your Spirit lead us to make the past our friend,
    and to find our future in you,
    that we may become a people of memory and hope;
    through our crucified and risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

    1 – The prayer begins conventionally as an address to the God of justice and mercy. Looking back at the Battle of Hastings, which side represented the forces of justice? Which side was God on?

    2 – In telling God to look with grace on all who look back on the Battle of Hastings does the Church of England suggest that those who do not look back on the Battle of Hastings will not experience that favour?

    3 – What will be the measurable consequences of the favour of God being bestowed upon Battle of Hastings gazers?

    4 – What nation is being invoked in the term “island nation”? (Groups may wish to make reference to #indyref, #brexit and #conquest in answering this question).

    5 – Using a map and the description “poised between Europe and Scandinavia”, can you pinpoint

    a) Europe?
    b) Scandinavia?
    c) This Island Nation?

    6 – Given the phrase the “remembrance of defeat”, in whose voice is this prayer offered?

    7 – Similarly, who is the “we” in the phrase “that we may become a people of memory and hope”?

    8 – In what ways are the Saxon people of England today not a people of memory and hope? Give examples to demonstrate your understanding of this question.

    9 – How would you lead a youth group towards understanding the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ through the death of King Harold? (Consider drama, storytelling and needlecraft based approaches)

    10 – How can the oppressed, subjugated and humiliated members of the Church of England, acting in solidarity with all people of struggle, reach out to build a better world?

    11 – Would the addition of Saint Harold the Good to the Calendar of the Church of England be a step forward for justice?

    12 – In what circumstances will you use this prayer?

    ,

3 responses to “Power needs to be baptised by love”

  1. Robin Avatar
    Robin

    A very good and thought-provoking sermon. I’ve always thought of the Ethiopian eunuch as a man of great power and authority, and of great learning and devotion too, which points me to your third interpretation. But what startles me about the story – partly because of my thinking of the eunuch as someone of great power and authority compared to Philip, and partly because of a tendency on my part to be dogma-bound – is the sheer simplicity of how Philip welcomes him into the Church.

    There is no complicated initiation process. There are no doctrinal tests. The eunuch sees water, and asks Philip in a businesslike way if there’s any reason why he shouldn’t be baptised. Philip’s answer couldn’t be more direct and straightforward: “If you believe with all your heart, you may be baptised.” And the eunuch’s response couldn’t be more direct and straightforward either: no lengthy creed, no question and answer interrogation, but simply, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

    No doubt the eunuch continued his studies after his baptism, being that sort of man. But in a complicated world and (sometimes) a complicated Church I often turn to this passage for reassurance that it needn’t always be so.

    Reply
    1. Father Ron Smith Avatar
      Father Ron Smith

      Thank you, Father Kelvin. What a lovely and refreshing new insight into the identity and provenance of the ethiopian Eunuch! Philip’s acceptance and Baptism of the Eunuch reflects the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 19:122, where he speaks of 3 types of eunuch; made so by others (the Ethiopian, castrati); those who become so for the sake of the Kingdom (monks, nuns, celibate clergy);
      and then, of course; those so ‘from their mother’s womb’ (intrinsic Gays).

      Reply
  2. Aleks Avatar
    Aleks

    Really profound. You’ve given me a lot to think about.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Posts

  • Review: Leaving Alexandria: A Memoir of Faith and Doubt – Richard Holloway

    Here’s my review of Bishop Richard’s book which recently appeared in inspires: It is hard these days to engage with the media of the chattering classes without encountering Richard Holloway. He who was once merely our Primus has become the darling of the exasperated folk for whom the church is no longer a vehicle for…

  • Sermon preached on Sunday 5 August 2012

    Here’s what I said on Sunday. I ask you. Which sounds more fun – the fleshpots of Egypt or wandering aimlessly in the desert? It is not hard to have some sympathy with the children of Israel. Moses and Aaron have led them away from a life which was unfair though one which was mundane…

  • Revised Commenting Policy

    I’ve posted something like this before but have had to add the final bullet point today. (And have today decided not to allow any further comments from the offender who caused me to add this last point. It seems to me that he has been warned enough). The following types of comments will be deleted…

  • Equal Marriage – Questions people haven’t thought of #1

    Here’s one for church folk and any passing ethicist. Suppose a couple get a civil partnership and they then have a service of blessing in an Episcopal Church – rings, promises, nuptial mass, the whole enchilada, with lovely prayers drawn from the Scottish Episcopal marriage liturgy. (As happens). Supposing that is all done with and…