Did you know that 200 years ago today Spencer Perceval was assassinated by John Bellingham in the lobby of the House of Commons? How could you possibly have forgotten that? He was the Prime Minister! He must be turning in his grave, wondering ‘am I that easy to forget?’
Amazing, isn’t it? Tell them in the pub that Spencer Perceval is dead and they’ll wonder what all the fuss is about.
You know, I think one of the things we fear most is being forgotten. It really matters to us that our place in the world is marked – or, at least, noticed. So, we fear being forgotten, lost to the memory of those whom we love and who we hope love us.
And maybe that’s the key. However anonymous we might be to the vast majority of humanity, it matters that someone loves us and will remember us when we slip from sight or shuffle off our mortal coil. ‘A man without love’ is a terrible fate – even if it is a great Engelbert song.
We all need love, don’t we, but it comes with an inescapable logic: if you’ve received love, then give love. You can’t say you love God while not giving flesh-and-blood expression to that love by loving your neighbour. That’s the deal. And Jesus unashamedly commended the freedom and relief that comes from letting go of our selfish narcissism and finding that, as someone sang recently, ‘Love will set you free…’
So, this morning my plea is dead simple: please release me from the fears and doubts that crave love and affection, and set us free to open up to the loving of those who love us simply for who we are. It’s a great starting point. And when it comes to the last waltz in this world, at least we will know that we will never be forgotten.
Or, if all else fails, we can always hear the last words of God: I can’t stop loving you…
May 11, 2012 at 11:08 am
I missed the broadcast (I was waiting for an ear syringe at the doctors – only to find that the only person who could do it in the practice was ill) but I shall ‘listen again.’
Thank you so much Bishop, for showing that the Christian faith is relevant to today, even if Engelbert is only a little less older than myself.
Thank you too, for posting these helpful blogs.
May the Lord continue to give you strength and inspiration to make the word of God understanding to everyone who make the effort to listen and/or read your words.
Michael
May 11, 2012 at 5:05 pm
‘…please release me from the fears and doubts that crave love and affection, and set us…’
So, so true. Often it is validation that we seek for assurance over something we have done as opposed to wanting love.
May 11, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Nick, it’s not a Gerry Dorsey song but I seem to remember “duetting” with you a rendition of “Bye Bye Love” – the Everlys obviously didn’t read the text! On a more serious note your previous blog was an encouragement to a “leader” who sometimes feels embattled! Shalom, John
May 11, 2012 at 8:37 pm
And someone else sang “Oh dear”.
It goes …… “Oh dear ….. oh dear, oh dear ….. My dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear … ” etc
May 12, 2012 at 9:49 am
Spencer Perceval is certainly not forgotten by me and my flock at St Luke’s, Charlton. He’s buried in our vault. We shall give thanks for his life of public service, rather than the unfortunate and criminal manner of his death, with a service of thanksgiving for civic responsibility and community engagement today at 3,00pm with HRH The Duke of Gloucester.
May 12, 2012 at 10:53 am
Hmm dearsoeur, perhaps you are playing my song if it is the one by Neil Sedaka? He was another one from that era, I remember some great songs from him, one of my mum’s favourites! Thank you Bishop Nick for another excellent playlist, keep up the good work – like Michael I shall be listening again!
May 13, 2012 at 11:53 am
20 years ago I was Vicar of the Spencer Perceval memorial church on the edge of Ealing Common. It was a time when the Church of England was brave enough to take the decision to ordain women and showed that God could love all people, and not just men. Will the house of bishops be brave enough not to mess with the legislation that will allow women to bishops 20 years later I wonder? Most of us at the Spencer Perceval memorial church would have welcomed that 20 years ago. Please release us from the failure to live up to what we said we believed as a Church even longer ago – that there are no objections to God showing his love as much through women as men.