Hoodwinked
Recently I read in horror on Facebook that St Albans Abbey was to move its existing tower ringing chamber to a ground floor ring due to its elderly ringers, as the steps were just too much for the ever-ageing team. The article then went on to note the long draft and the requirements of any visiting ringers having to be super ambidextrous as the cathedral chapter were not keen on the installation of rope guides! Well by this point I was huffing and puffing so much that a full “Dear Bishop” letter was forming in my mind until I noticed a plethora of laughing emojis at the end of the article and I realised that I had been well and truly hoodwinked… Yes, it was 1st April.
The problem with Facebook and social media is discerning what is true and what is not! Donald Trump has his truths and even purports to read the Bible and yet, even truths can be twisted. So, what is truth? Well, I believe scripture holds so many truths that if applied to the world we live in, it could transform humanity for ever. But even the Church has struggled with theological context and interpretation and to be honest we have got ourselves in a bit of a pickle on more than one occasion, but for me the words of Jesus are non-negotiable, eternal and in the end will always ring true. Jesus himself says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”. When I’m perplexed or seeking answers, I find myself picking up my red-letter Bible which has all Jesus’ words in red. It’s these quotes and passages that always give me light, life and truth. So don’t believe all you see and read, maybe fact-check first.
Rev Canon Simon White
Rector of Morpeth & Priest in Charge at Stannington