The Rt. Revd Roger Herft
1 Corinthians 15:8 "Last of all, as to one untimely born he appeared unto me"
John 21:7 "That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter 'It is the Lord'"
The Lambeth Conference 1998 is scheduled to be the largest ever.
The truth about a great production is to link the big picture alongside the drama of everyday life. This has been particularly true of recent Hollywood movies be it the playing out of an invasion from outer space as in Independence Day, the tragedy and sacrifice of war in the English Patient; the greed and profit in modern sport Jerry Mcguire, the capacity to win out against prejudice and disability as in the Australian movie Shine. These big picture issues be it race, war, revolution, Aids, or other significant dilemmas happen not just out there but within our own human experience.
One such comes to mind - the young sports agent Jerry Mcguire leaves his wife who had stood by him in order to search for a football star who would give him all the profit and fame in life. When this dream is fulfilled he finds his life empty. He decides to go back to his wife's house and arrives in the midst of a meeting of women who have been betrayed by their former partners. Jerry enters this hostile place and squeaks out a nervous hello - this is greeted with icy silence. "I am looking for my wife" he says. She appears. He tells her for all to hear the circumstances that led to his leaving. He concludes "I love you. You complete me". There is a moment of silence. She moves towards him with arms outstretched saying "You got me with "Hello" - I love you"
The Christian community reflected in the Gospel of St John has this same parallel attached to it. Issues of eternal significance, too large for human comprehension are played out in ordinary human interactions. Whether it is in the theme of ritual water becoming Gospel wine, the wedding at Cana; being born again Nicodemus - the wise seeking wisdom by night; worshipping God in spirit and in truth, the Woman of Samaria - her bucket and her desire for living water; bread of life, light of the world - parents ashamed of their blind child - the Good Shepherd the True wine. The Gospel's centre is the death, resurrection event in a family bonded by a friendship with Jesus. The Glory of Redeeming love is the cross. I if I be lifted up will draw all people to me. The truth of risen life comes with the calling of a name "Mary" a presence in the midst of doubt that says to Thomas "Come and touch my wounds, handle and see a memory that scorches through the confusion felt by the disciples reminding them of their first meeting and the call to follow. The common is transformed in the framework of resurrection mystery - time, history is transcended. The fish placed on charcoal flames, a familiar greeting that moves through shut doors - "Peace be with you". A new life offered every time words are spoken, bread and wine broken and poured out.
St John's gospel describes a God who completes us. All that is required is a recognition of emptiness the rolling away of stones from the tombs of our making and the courage to say "hello" - to the Risen Christ.
The Lambeth Conference is a large scale event - it is a gathering historic in nature and of vital importance to the evolving Anglican Communion. The context of our world will be with us represented by the Bishops and others gathered. It will be around us and interpreted for us by the media. The poet R R Thomas' reflection is true "Where there is no earth there can be no resurrection". The dramas of our lives however small and the larger issues of the world are the dust upon which God breathes resurrection. The papers we prepare at this seminar, the programme, the events might have the sense of a Hollywood epic about them. Yet it is more than an event, it is an opportunity to discuss renewed resurrection presence.
The great vision of Isaiah for the good news to be brought to the oppressed, to bind up the broken hearted, release to the prisoners and to proclaim a year of the Lord's favour a jubilee time, must be held in that poignant testimony of St Paul "Last of all as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me". Or the Johannine whisper to Simon Peter - It is the Lord.
The Lambeth Conference stands or falls on its ability to hold the big issues of our world within the dramas of life played out in every participant's life and to proclaim the truth of resurrection presence to both. It is said that the world may set our Agenda, but it is God who calls the Meeting. The Lambeth Conference must enable us to say "hello" to the Risen Christ, to each other and to the issues of our time.
We seek God's guidance at this Seminar to say our hello to each other knowing that we belong to a weak, common, yet glorious body of people called the church, described by St Anslem as a resurrection people whose song is Alleluia.
A song we sing at times wearily, often lacking authenticity, yet gratefully, so that the whole earth may feel the breath of Easter - Christ, crucified and risen - the hope of Glory.