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Stand Still That Man!
The golden rule on the parade ground, as any former squaddie will tell you, is that, if you make a mistake, stand still and nobody will notice. Being possessed of two left feet and with hand and eye co-ordination which made me a prototype for Corporal Jones from Dad's Army, this saved me from the wrath of the Drill Sergeant on many an occasion. It stands me in good stead in the liturgy when I accidentally omit parts or make movements at inappropriate moments. This does not escape the eagle eye of the Vicar's wife but I explain that I am simply following one of the many alternatives from Common Worship. She never believes me.
Unlike the Pope, I am not infallible. This is borne out when, with mounting horror, I read the Parish Magazine and discover the many little errors that I had not noticed before I sent it to the printer. In my previous parish, where the congregation was well stocked with retired teachers armed with red pens, I laughed this off as the "deliberate mistakes competition". They didn't believe me, either.
Celebrating, as we are, the Resurrection of Our Lord, we must face up to the unbelief of others. The reports of a dead man walking must have been pretty hard to swallow, even some of the disciples found that it stretched their credulity more than a little. For us it is a reality but some still question it. There are even rumours that a few clergy have doubts about whether Jesus actually did rise from the dead. It is a funny old world where the Church of England spends so much time and effort arguing about trivial aspects of housekeeping but neglects to reinforce the central tenets of its teaching. We are firm in our faith. The Resurrection is not something that might have happened. It is something which did happen.
We who accept this fundamental truth, without question, have observed the solemn season of Lent and are now joyfully acknowledging the risen Christ. Sad though it is to say it, some priests pack their overnight bags and decamp for their holiday chalets as soon as Easter Day is over, leaving their congregations, waiting to celebrate Easter Week, high and dry. Why do they do this? - because their bishops tell them to take a break after Easter. Would you believe that?
May God bless you all, Fr Allan
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