Richard Littledale's
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It is rare indeed that the events of Church and state coincide with such perfect timing as the signing of the Northern Ireland peace agreement on Good Friday. Whilst we are aware of the deliberate stage-management, this does not stop us appreciating the creative relationship between the two. This was an announcement of truly good news on Good Friday. Like the first Good Friday this was good news bought at great cost. As Christ had given of himself for many hours on the cross, so the negotiators had given of themselves for many hours to the task. As Christ had lain down his arms at his most vulnerable moment, so they had made themselves vulnerable to each other and to the criticism of their respective communities. However, the first Good Friday was followed by the long hours in the tomb on Easter Saturday before the exultation of resurrection day. Not only that, but ever since Christ rose from the tomb, the Christian Church has been wrestling with the causes of Good Friday and the results of Easter Sunday. If the hope of this years Good Friday does hold, there is much soul-searching, forgiving, and reconstructing to be done. Surely one of the things which made Christ so hard to accept as Messiah was his abnegation of all the trappings of power. Here was no sword-wielding saviour on a white charger, but a foot-washing Messiah on a donkey. Will the church be as ready to imitate him as the politicians have been? The churchs role in the aftermath of this agreement will be vital, but so will be her example. |
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