The ideas in Circles of Thorns are being explored in Canterbury in the form of two lectures. One, a sermon, delivered in St Stephen’s Church, on the Sunday evenings of Lent; the other, longer version, a lecture as part of the Canterbury City Centre Parish Lent Lectures, delivered in St Peter’s Church on Tuesday lunchtimes. The first will be about 20 minutes in length, the second about 40 minutes. Audio versions will be posted by the morning following delivery. Feel free to listen to either or both of them!

 

 Circles of Thorns: Circle 1 (Politics) [24:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (232)

 

 Circles of Thorns: Circle 1 (Politics) expanded version [38:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (173)

Circle 1 / Week 1 / Politics

Sometimes we are told that politics is the realistic science: there is no room for naivety or sentiment in working the art of the possible. We are told this, usually, when something unpleasant or unethical is about to be done in our name. Our liberties, our way of life, our system of government, is dependent on violent things being done by violent people. Bosch here shows the government of his day as good as complicit in Christ’s torture, and he refuses to allow us to look away. We can’t afford the moral luxury of proclaiming “not in my name” and thinking that lets us off the hook. Bosch here tells us that there is no neutral place to stand, no safe haven, when it comes to the ways of the world. The men and systems we look to for our protection may be the ones perpetuating the violence. As Bob Dylan wrote “We live in a political world / Love don’t have any place. We’re living in times where men commit crimes / And crime don’t have a face”.

How are we to be followers of Christ in such a world?

The Church has been responsible for much suffering in its long existence. It is a body made up of people, with a powerful idea at its heart. Any powerful idea is open to corruption, and the actions of the Church have, on occasions, been corrupting. Very rarely has these actions been the result of knowing wickedness. Even the witch-burners thought they were doing good, protecting their Church and their society from evil-doers. We can see the wickedness in the actions of our ancestors. Will our descendants look at our beliefs and behaviour and think that we were as corrupt as any? In what ways are we like the dark man, pretending a compassion for Jesus and his world, and yet behaving in ways that continue the crucifixion?

In what ways do we draw a tighter, harder, narrower circle of Christ’s love? In what ways do we use the Crown of thorns as a weapon?

If God is talking to you, too, Mr Cameron – don’t listen… If today the Church of England is wishy-washy and middle-of-the-road, that is no accident. It is the long-term result of Elizabeth [I]’s design. Britain has benefited enormously from a weak clergy that has mainly remained aloft from politics. Britain’s established church, headed by the monarch, has made few demands of our leaders or people… men of power who take instruction from unseen forces are essentially fanatics… theocrats, religious leaders or fanatics citing holy texts dictate violent actions. That constitutes the greatest threat to world peace today.
Michael Portillo, The Sunday Times, 25 February 2007

In what ways is Michael Portillo right? In what ways is he wrong? Does it depend merely on personal preference?

How do we live, as true to our religious and cultural heritage, when those who are “other” no longer live outside our borders, but among us, as part of us, as Europeans?

Questions for further reflection

1. Is it possible to think of Christ’s Passion continuing into Bosch’s day or even our own times? If not, why not?
2. If we can think of Christ’s mocking continuing in our own day, who would you place in the position of the four tormentors?
3. What does your choice of tormentor say about your relationship with Jesus: who do you need to protect him from?
4. Do the political choices you make add to Christ’s mocking? Which tormentor are you?

  Lenten Study Guide for Circles of Thorns: Week 1 (45.1 KiB, 103 hits)
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