Snapdragon
THE P RTAL
August 2012 London 2012
FOLLOWING THE mother of all build-ups, London 2012 is finally underway. In spite of one or two minor hitches in preparations, the Games that we’ve been waiting seven years to see are successfully out of the blocks, and unlike the value of G4S shares, the country’s mood and sense of optimism about Team GB’s chances on home turf are high.
it does not get much better
For lovers of sport than the next
two weeks; for the less enthusiastic an overseas holiday is recommended.
The marathon For an Ordinariate relatively fresh out
of the blocks one particular Olympic event is perhaps worthy of some reflection - the marathon, begun in commemoration of the run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides as a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens.
Every Christian discovers at some point in the
race that what is required to reach the prize beyond the finish line is the stamina and endurance of the marathon runner, rather than the power and pace of the sprinter. Power and pace are fine over 385 yards, but when there are 26 miles more of the marathon to run, it’s time to change gear from Usain Bolt to Paula Radcliffe.
“Pace Patience” Te Ordinariate is only 18 months old and in
that short time we have moved a long way, but I’m beginning to realise that we need to treat this project of the Ordinariate not as a sprint that will get quick results, but as a marathon that requires what those in the business call “Pace Patience”. To you and me that loosely translates as: give it time and don’t rush it. We’ve taken on something that requires us to work over a long stretch of time with a sustained effort. 26.2 miles is not covered in a few minutes.
Any marathon runner will tell you that those who make it to the finish line possess above all two things.
First, sustained motivation Jesus, not General Synod, is our motivation for being
in the Ordinariate; and the unity of his Church. With our eyes fixed on him as our finish line, we run with endurance. Te saints inspire and motivate us too. Blessed John Henry Newman ran a similar race before
us and from the side-line is surely in the home crowd urging us on: “I had it tough too, remember. Tere may be parts of the course that you don’t like; you may be asking: Why is God taking the course this way? but keep running. Te reward is worth it.”
Second, self-discipline We need the self-discipline to get into
good shape: financially and structurally, but most important, spiritually. If we are looking flabby in parts, then it is time to look at our diet, hit the tread mill
and tone up our muscles. In their desire to remove any hindrance to their athletic success, the Ancient Greeks not only beat the bulge and built their bodies into temples to rival any they erected with stone, they actually ran naked!
With a mere 385 yards behind us it is time to pace
ourselves for the long haul and be ready for the effort, the sweat and the endurance needed to go the distance!
Show your support for the Ordinariate
by wearing one of two attractive lapel badges This badge shows an image of Our Lady of
Walsingham and is sold in support the payment of clergy stipends - they are available from: John Worley, 48 Lawn Lane,
Hemel Hempstead HP3 9HL Cost: £4 each
PLUS ... NEW: Cufflinks £12 each pair stamped addressed envelope - cheques payable to: Hemel Hempstead Group
This badge is the coat of arms of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, and is available from:
Ordinariate Lapel Badge, 274 Imperial Court, Kennington Lane, London SE11 5QN
Cost: £5 (inc P&P) - cheques payable to: Ordinariate OLW Please remember to include your Name and Address
Page 8
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16