This was one of the former Bishop of London’s favourite phrases. It was used to symbolise the spiritual battle being waged against secularism, despair, isolation and apathy. “Keep the rumour alive” is a call to proclaim the same Christian faith which had confused and confounded many pagans and cynics throughout the Christian centuries. The “rumour” of Christ’s resurrection, of his victory over death, of the Good News that we are loved and cherished by God, is worth “keeping alive” today. Continue reading “Keeping the rumour alive”
Author: Gavin Knight
The Revd Gavin Knight has been the Vicar of St Michael & All Angels, Summertown in the Oxford Diocese since September 2011. After serving his title at St Alphege, Solihull, Gavin became parish priest of St Andrew's Fulham Fields in London. He moved to Wales in 2005 becoming Chaplain to Monmouth School. He is married to Jo, a clinical psychologist, and they have three sons.
Godly Play
This Sunday, the gospel draws us closer to the true identity of Jesus the Christ. “I am the gate for the sheep.” In peasant cultures in the ancient near east the shepherd also acted as the gate, protecting the sheep from harm, especially at night. The shepherd would literally lay down his life! Continue reading “Godly Play”
On the Emmaus road
One possible definition of ‘what it is to be a Christian’ is the attempt to imitate the life of Christ – trying to put into practice all that Jesus did. In Jesus, we have an example of the best way to live according to God’s desire. So, we might better understand our own discipleship through the lens of Christ. Continue reading “On the Emmaus road”
The Seven Last Words
On Good Friday in Summertown, the Clarendon Quartet performed Josef Haydn’s, Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross. In 1783, the Cathedral of Cadiz in Spain commissioned the great composer Joseph Haydn to write a musical setting for these sayings.
Two acts of love and scandal
Maundy Thursday, the beginning of the three days of ultimate meaning and impact for Christian believers, starts in the cramped confines of the Upper Room. Excited voices are heard below as late arriving pilgrims arrive in Jerusalem. But for Jesus and his followers this was their last night together. Continue reading “Two acts of love and scandal”