Bishop Jones Writes
...
On my last sabbatical leave, I
took part in the worship of the Iona Community in
Scotland during Holy Week and Easter. That week,
on Good Friday, I took part in the Stations of the
Cross with the residents and guests on the island.
The first of the stations was
within the ruins of an ancient nunnery. The
seventh was in the Iona graveyard. The last three
were to be inside the Abbey Church.
As we moved from the graveyard
toward the Abbey, a large group of children, who
had been hiding behind a huge rock formation,
stepped in front of our group and blocked our way
to the Church. They were holding placards and
yelling at the top of their voices “Don’t
kill Jesus. Jesus is our friend. We love Jesus.”
Our procession was interrupted by
the demonstration. The children continued to shout
as we moved around their demonstration to the
Abbey Church. I was personally shaken by the
demonstration. While it had been staged, it was
very real. I saw the sincerity on the children’s
faces. They were shouting at their parents. They
meant what they were shouting. And for the first
time in my life, I was truly a member of the crowd
that had screamed “Crucify him, crucify him!”
I was able to see how my
attitudes have a direct link to the crucifixion of
Jesus – how my behavior matters. I am not a just
bystander to the crucifixion. As I listened to
those children, I could not help but feel their
innocence and their trust. I had a sense that the
Spirit was teaching me that what I say and do
really matters. I am part of the crowd.
Faithfully,
+ David
David Colin
Jones
Bishop in Residence
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