The Pattern
It is a commonplace observation that people in Western societies are becoming increasingly individualistic and self-determining. Phrases that keep cropping up in advertisements give the game away. Take, for example,‘Achieve your goals’, ‘Complete your bucket list’, ‘Re-invent yourself’.
Bellringing is something of a corrective to this. One rings by being a member of a band: that’s corporate, not individualistic. We ring to predetermined patterns and instructions: methods and the conductor’s instructions are givens in ringing.
Holy Week and Easter give us a pattern: the cross and resurrection of Jesus. Christian worship on Good Friday often involves a wooden cross specially set up in the church. The cross of Jesus provides a pattern for our and the world’s suffering. Easter Day, marking the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, is a day of unrestrained joy for the Church. Christ’s resurrection is the pattern for each and all. The Church of England’s funeral service contains these words: ‘…who will transform our frail bodies that they may be conformed to his glorious body…’ Again, Jesus is the pattern for each and all and the whole created order.
It is wonderful that we are all unique individuals and each have gifts and talents that can thrive. But they need to ring true. We, like everything else in creation, have a true shaping: the all-embracing mystery of God’s love shown in the yearly pattern of Good Friday and Easter Day.
Canon Bill Croft (Retired)