The Glaven Valley Benefice
|
The Glaven Valley Benefice |
|
|||
People getting angry
The psalm I read at Morning Prayer this morning finishes with the words: 'And of thy goodness slay mine enemies: and destroy all them that vex my soul; for I am thy servant.' (Psalm 143). Having thought about the way in which such sentiments could in any sense be construed as the word of God, I then focused on the human side of the story. Destroy all them that vex my soul!
There can be few of us who have not wished for such a thing at some time in our lives. The human voice of the psalmist speaks with an honesty that we might be reluctant to admit to. We might feel that thoughts like this need to be repressed. We could easily form a list of what happens when such things are not repressed : look at Raoul Moat, shooting three people before killing himself; rioters in Northern Ireland; a bunch of thugs in orange shirts displaying their anger at the referee... the list could go on. Destroy all them that vex my soul!
Perhaps a moment of reflection is needed here.
When people are angry, who are they really angry with?
When you are angry, who are you really angry with?
When I am angry, who am I really angry with?
It is usually those who are playing badly who get most angry with the referee. So who are they really angry with?
Heaven forbid that we ask God to destroy all them that vex my soul, when we are the principal vexatious party towards ourselves. Can we learn to love ourselves? Can we forgive ourselves?
There is a way forward, and it can be found time after time in the gospels: Jesus showing acceptance and unconditional love to all he meets. Jesus embodies the love of God to each of us. The one who said 'Father forgive' to his executioners shows the extent to which we are accepted, loved and forgiven. If we are able to take this on board, then we can begin to accept, love and forgive ourselves.
Self-hatred is the root of all manner of evil. It generates anger, one of the most destructive of emotions. There are, of course, some things we should be angry about: poverty and injustice for a start. But it needs to be tempered by love and forgiveness. The danger is that you end up fighting the wrong people. I recall the lyrics of a song which went to No 1 in 1981, at a time of severe recession (which may not be unlike the one we are now going through):
This town, is coming like a ghost town. Why must the youth fight against themselves? Government leaving the youth on the shelf This place, is coming like a ghost town No job to be found in this country. Can't go on no more.
The people getting angry
All these years on, I am still finding it hard to forgive Mrs Thatcher and her government. But I'm working on it. She has a little less power to vex my soul these days.
Benefice Services in August
There will! be a Benefice Service at Blakeney on Sunday 8th August, and at Cley on Sunday 29th, both at 10am.
Lifeboat Service
The annual lifeboat service takes place this year on Sunday 8th August at 6.30pm at the Carnser in Blakeney.
Wiveton Stalls on the Green
Monday 30th August, 10-12.30pm. If you have cakes, plants, vegetables, tombola prizes, books, bric-a-brac etc, please bring them to Wiveton church. And come along and enjoy yourselves.
Friends of Blakeney Church coffee morning
Saturday 4 September 10-12 at the Church Hall, by the quay.
Letheringsett Gift Day
This takes place on Saturday 11th September at Letheringsett church from 2-4pm. There will be stalls and activities, and a café for refreshments and crepes; the cast of `Dad's Army' will be there – do feel free to dress up. Proceeds to Letheringsett church
Neil Batcock
Rector, Glaven Valley Benefice