Bishop Richard CheethamThe final countdown to the Olympics is well and truly underway with less than one hundred days to the Opening Ceremony on 27th July.  Love it or loathe it, the ‘greatest show on earth’ will have a major impact on London and across the world.

The preparation for the Olympics reflects a profound paradox at the heart of human life and experience.  On the one hand there is a deep desire to see people from all nations and backgrounds coming together in friendship for a global festival celebrating human achievement and sporting ability.  On the other hand, one of the biggest security operations this country has ever known is being mounted – there is a real fear of disruption and conflict coming from multiple directions in a deeply divided world.

Learning to live well together in a very diverse world is one of the great challenges of our time – and especially so given the huge inequalities, injustices, and conflicts across the globe.  The search for justice, peace and unity is as important as ever.

During May there are two very different events which can help us think about living in unity in a diverse world.  The first is Christian Aid week which takes place from 13th to 19th May under the theme of ‘LET’S GIVE THE TOOLS – to help people in poverty out of poverty’.  And the good news is that the first five million pounds raised will be match funded by the Department for International Development – so there is even more reason to give generously. 

The second event is the Festival of Pentecost (the third most important occasion of the Christian Year) which is on the last Sunday of May.  We read in Acts 2 that there were people ‘from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem’. The experience of the Holy Spirit on the first Day of Pentecost meant that the one Gospel message of God’s deeds of power in Jesus was heard and understood in every language.  In Colossians 3 we learn that the renewal of life which the Resurrection brings means that, ‘there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!’  It is a wonderful image of unity in diversity.

The Church is called to model this new creation.  We are many and varied in the Church community, but we are to be One Body - with diverse gifts given by the Spirit to be used for the good of all.  (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12)

The balance between unity and diversity is a complex one in both the Church and the wider world.  At its worst it can be deeply destructive and lead to fear and division.  At its best it leads to a profound vision of human life in which each individual plays their full part for the good of all.  Let us pray this Pentecost that the Holy Spirit will guide and shape our lives, our Church and our world.

+Richard Kingston