Thought for the Week

by the Rev Steve Proudlove, curate at All Saints', Ilkley

ON the day of the EU referendum result I conducted a wedding. The couple declared their vows to each other ‘till death us do part’ on the same day as the biggest break-up in modern British history had begun. It seemed quite surreal and contradictory.

During the wedding, I’d given a little sermonette based on some love poetry from the Bible, where one lover invites the other to come with him and see the new life that is to come: the sights and smells of spring, the taste of fresh-growing fruit. It’s with this vision, that the poetry celebrates the new life that the couple now enter into. It’s with this vision that they were reminded that seasons will change and their love will change with them.

I was left after the service wondering whether in fact, irrespective of what we may think of the referendum result, we owe ourselves as a country the chance to rethink the vision of our lives together. Aware of those around us who are hurting, fearful, or feeling unwanted, perhaps now is the time to decide what our country will be from here on. Will we pursue a season of Winter, where we shut our doors and to keep out the cold and the strangers, where nothing grows and all is stripped of life; a season where we seek to add to the chill. Or will we enter a vision of springtime and new growth where a new and perhaps slightly frightening world awaits, but one which we can explore and create together.

As a democratic country, we have a say in our future. British life will only become a life of unneighbourliness and xenophobia, oppressive working conditions, disregard for those worse off than we are, and so on, if we let it. All who have a vote are responsible for the future of our country. We are not victims; instead we are vision creators and implementers.

So what kind of country will we build together? I pray that we each play our part in building a kingdom where the winter chill ends and new buds of growth, new scents of spring, and new tastes of fruit are enjoyed by all; where all are invited to enjoy life together, all support each other and all love each other as we love ourselves. Till death us do part.