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Moseley Chimes
September 2008
Most of you will know the phrase in the Lord’s Prayer that says, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” That prayer is a daily inspiration for millions of followers of Jesus who long for a world that is just, peaceful and full of joy — a refection of heaven here on earth.
While Jesus preached and taught he spoke often of the Kingdom of Heaven promising those who would listen that this rule of love was not far away. We still believe that by coming to know Jesus through prayer and the study of scriptures and by living a life committed to following him we are given a foretaste of heaven which we are called to share with our neighbours — those on our street and those global neighbours connected by our international politics and economics.
Many Christians will be able to tell you of moments or incidents in their lives when they felt the Kingdom of Heaven mysteriously break through from eternity into their finite and limited life on earth.
On Wednesday 6 August, we, as a church, celebrated such a moment. It is called the Transfiguration and happened in the middle of Jesus’ earthly ministry when he took three of his closest friends up a hill and they saw him transformed - literally covered in glory. God spoke to them from a cloud and said: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.”
This encounter with Jesus, the Son of God, must have strengthened those disciples as they saw their Lord and friend crucified, resurrected and then called back to heaven leaving them the Holy Spirit through whom to grow the Church and continue his work on earth.
You will have probably heard that this summer has not been easy for the Church of England or the extended family of Christians across the world known as the Anglican Communion. Every ten years, hundreds of Bishops from across the world meet to pray and study together, but this year some 200 felt unable to join the Lambeth Conference while differences exist on authority and ethics.
But last week this gathering was transfigured. The 670 Bishops that have gathered in Canterbury together with their spouses, joined other faith leaders, diplomats and campaigners to speak up for those who lives are afflicted by poverty.
Together we walked through the centre of London in what the Prime Minister Gordon Brown described as the greatest show of faith the city had ever seen. Campaigning for the urgent fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals, justice for the poor, protection for the planet and improved healthcare and education for all, we found a glimpse of heaven on earth. I pray that the politicians were listening.
May God bless you this summer and may you find heaven on earth through Jesus Christ.