The Vicar's Letter

The Reverend David Frost

Dear Friends,

When the Archbishop of Canterbury addressed a legal conference about the possibility of incorporating certain aspects of Shari’ah Law  into the law of the land, he may not have anticipated that his remarks given in a lecture to top judges would cause such controversy.  A furious caller on BBC Radio 5 Live responded to the Archbishop by saying “Jesus Christ would be turning in his grave!” 

As the events of Lent and Holy Week unfold, that  caller’s remark is something that the Christian Church  will not be echoing this or any other Easter.  For the story of the life of Jesus  of Nazareth does not stop with his crucifixion on Good Friday.  The Church does not celebrate at Easter the tragic and barbaric death of a good man.  History is littered with accounts of good men who met untimely deaths because they threatened to upset the status quo.  Rather, the Church celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has been vindicated by God, and whose presence, power and love are at work in the world today.  The shout you will hear on Easter Day is “Jesus Christ is risen: he is risen indeed!”  It is the cry of faith.  It is the cry of life.  It is the cry that began the Church.

St George’s stands proudly on the corner of Elstan Way and The Glade as a sign of the power of the resurrection on that first Easter.  It stands as a symbol of God’s love reaching out into the world.  No, Jesus Christ is not turning in his grave.  Heaven and earth cannot contain  the one who is the Resurrection and the Life.

Have a very happy and blessed Easter.

Your friend and Vicar,

David