John
12-25-2010, 01:01 PM
The Archbishop of Canterbury will speak later of the importance of mutual dependence, fellowship and loyalty during the current economic situation.
In his Christmas Day sermon, Dr Rowan Williams will stress the need to share the burdens of adversity as some people face testing times amid the downturn.
He will say: "Faced with the hardship that quite clearly lies ahead for so many in the wake of financial crisis and public spending cuts, how far are we able to sustain a living sense of loyalty to each other, a real willingness to bear the load together?
"How eager are we to find some spot where we feel safe from the pressures that are crippling and terrifying others?
"As has more than once been said, we can and will as a society bear hardship if we are confident that it is being fairly shared; and we shall have that confidence only if there are signs that everyone is committed to their neighbour, that no-one is just forgotten, that no interest group or pressure group is able to opt out."
Referencing Prime Minister David Cameron's "Big Society" idea, Dr Williams will urge people to work positively together to rebuild trust.
He will say: "That confidence isn't in huge supply at the moment, given the massive crises of trust that have shaken us all in the last couple of years and the lasting sense that the most prosperous have yet to shoulder their load.
"If we are ready, if we are all ready, to meet the challenge represented by the language of the 'Big Society', we may yet restore some mutual trust.
"It's no use being cynical about this; whatever we call the enterprise, the challenge is the same - creating confidence by sharing the burden of constructive work together."
The Archbishop will refer to the forthcoming royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, stating the Christian bond of marriage is a symbol of hope for humanity.
He will say: "Next year, we shall be joining in the celebration of what we hope will be a profoundly joyful event in the royal wedding.
"It is certainly cause for celebration that any couple, let alone this particular couple, should want to embark on the adventure of Christian marriage, because any and every Christian marriage is a sign of hope, since it is a sign and sacrament of God's own committed love."
The Archbishop will also single out the strong bond between those in the Armed Forces and their loved ones.
He will say: "I admit I find myself deeply moved at times when I speak with the families of servicemen and women, where this sense of solidarity is often so deeply marked, so generous and costly.
"As the Prince and his fiancee get ready for their new step into solidarity together, they will have plenty of inspiration around, more than you might sometimes guess from the chatter of our culture."
Source - Yahoo.
In his Christmas Day sermon, Dr Rowan Williams will stress the need to share the burdens of adversity as some people face testing times amid the downturn.
He will say: "Faced with the hardship that quite clearly lies ahead for so many in the wake of financial crisis and public spending cuts, how far are we able to sustain a living sense of loyalty to each other, a real willingness to bear the load together?
"How eager are we to find some spot where we feel safe from the pressures that are crippling and terrifying others?
"As has more than once been said, we can and will as a society bear hardship if we are confident that it is being fairly shared; and we shall have that confidence only if there are signs that everyone is committed to their neighbour, that no-one is just forgotten, that no interest group or pressure group is able to opt out."
Referencing Prime Minister David Cameron's "Big Society" idea, Dr Williams will urge people to work positively together to rebuild trust.
He will say: "That confidence isn't in huge supply at the moment, given the massive crises of trust that have shaken us all in the last couple of years and the lasting sense that the most prosperous have yet to shoulder their load.
"If we are ready, if we are all ready, to meet the challenge represented by the language of the 'Big Society', we may yet restore some mutual trust.
"It's no use being cynical about this; whatever we call the enterprise, the challenge is the same - creating confidence by sharing the burden of constructive work together."
The Archbishop will refer to the forthcoming royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, stating the Christian bond of marriage is a symbol of hope for humanity.
He will say: "Next year, we shall be joining in the celebration of what we hope will be a profoundly joyful event in the royal wedding.
"It is certainly cause for celebration that any couple, let alone this particular couple, should want to embark on the adventure of Christian marriage, because any and every Christian marriage is a sign of hope, since it is a sign and sacrament of God's own committed love."
The Archbishop will also single out the strong bond between those in the Armed Forces and their loved ones.
He will say: "I admit I find myself deeply moved at times when I speak with the families of servicemen and women, where this sense of solidarity is often so deeply marked, so generous and costly.
"As the Prince and his fiancee get ready for their new step into solidarity together, they will have plenty of inspiration around, more than you might sometimes guess from the chatter of our culture."
Source - Yahoo.