Chris McDonnell, UK
christymac733@gmail.com

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July 31, 2019

The uncertainty of change

There is one thing that is certain, we live in a changing world.

Climate change is now indisputable in spite of current White House opinion. The political scene, both at home and abroad is one of instability and confusion. Our Church has not escaped the trauma of the times. It would appear that Harold Macmillan's 'wind of change' has yet to blow itself out.

And nor should it. For some the very word 'change' has threatening, unsettling overtones. The known is judged better than the unknown so we cling on to the comfort blanket that surrounds us rather than risk the chill of new opportunity.

Change must be informed by good judgement rather than random, spur of the moment, comment. The surge of disbelief, both in the US and aboard when four elected representatives of the people, all women of colour, were recently told by their President to 'go home', still echoes through the air waves and print media. And rightly so. We cannot afford to forget the self-satisfied pout of the leader of a great country standing at the rostrum listening to a crowd chanting 'send her back'. That happened in Europe of the 30s and we paid a high price in consequence. These few words were written in the maelstrom that followed his remarks.

Asking why?

Crow called out birds

from other nests

in spiteful squawks

and worn-out racist words

whose shells had cracked

under the self-same sky as his.

Asking why, asking why

as others cry, asking why

'why go back home when home is here?'

Keep asking why.

Life is complicated and the political machinations that help to make it work reflect that. So we look for determination that is informed by good faith and by sound attention to truth. Populist politics put both at risk.

Now we have a new Prime Minister here in the UK, elected by a majority of sixty six thousand party members out of a national populace count of over sixty million. It would seem that we too are in for a bumpy ride in the coming weeks.

With this wind of change present in our secular society, it is no small wonder that the Church has not escaped the downdraught. In recent days we have heard that John Henry Newman is to be canonised this Autumn. It was Newman that gave us the memorable words, 'to live is to change, to live perfectly is to have changed often.' Our understanding and appreciation of faith is inevitably a response to the culture and milieu of our times.

Not that faith should merely reflect circumstance but it must respond to the reality of our experience. You cannot deal with challenge unless you admit to its existence. Challenge doesn't go away because we choose to ignore it. We do well when we face up to the realities that confront us, when we acknowledge mistakes and put them right. Look how long it took to admit that Galileo was correct in his projection that our planetary system revolves round the sun? There is a lovely story that when the Dominican, Edward Schillebeeckx, was summoned to Rome, he was interviewed in the same room where Galileo had been called to account. As he walked towards his allotted seat he paused in front of Galileo's chair and reverently bowed. Point made.

In the confusion of words that surround our daily lives it is sometimes hard to discern truth from falsehood. It is not good enough to toss out the term 'fake news' just because we don't like the message. But we do have a responsibility to sift reality from propaganda in making a judgement.

We look to others for guidance, for a sensitive voice to help in our discernment. In the end we have to take personal responsibility for our choice and act accordingly.

Democracy allows for an ordered change of mind, a re-assessment of a previously held position in the light of new circumstances. Otherwise, it doesn't work.

The contrast between our new prime minister and the man who held office after the second world war, couldn't be more extreme. It is said that an empty taxi drew up outside No 10 and Clem Attlee got out. That won't be said of the extrovert who now holds office. Bluster is one thing, substance another.

Reflecting on our Church in these uncertain days, we need to listen to the faith that has been passed down to us, but to do so in a thoughtful and caring manner. As we have so often heard in recent months from Francis, Bishop of Rome, dialogue is the constant voice of the people of God, listening and talking, making informed choices, living out our faith in the Christ of Resurrection. So be it.

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