ONE OF THE LESSONS learned by the prophet Jonah – some of us were reminded during yesterday’s Quiet Day with Bishop Robert – was that the voice of God is sometimes – maybe often – delivered to us through (we think) the most surprising people! Jonah learned a great deal from people he’d have described as pagans. Bishop Robert framed a question: how often do we refuse to listen to a voice that comes to us from outside our own comfort zone, perhaps from outside the Church? How keen would we have been (are we!) on the radically liberating “gospel” of Jesus of Nazareth?

Thankfully I find myself working alongside a whole new generation of people within and without the Church who are much less troubled by some of what Bishop Robert called “the tribal barriers” of the past. Tonight, for example, with our Young Church leaders, I learned again of their willingness to head out into the unknown territory of the leaders in the next door parish for conversation and co-operation. And they’ve been to a puppet training workshop on the other side of the Diocese. And other resources they’re drawing on are cross-denominational. They’re interested in where God is to be found in people’s lives more than in what “tribal” tradition they stand.

And so I wind up the business of another full day with prayers of thanksgiving. This morning I was warmly welcomed as speaker and worship leader at our local Methodist Church. This afternoon I’ve chatted with Jewish and Roman Catholic friends and colleagues. And once again I’ve found that the Benedictine Brother David Steindl-Rast (video above) speaks with crystal clarity what’s on my own heart, and, thankfully, the hearts of many, many others today. Many doors. One good God. One rich and glorious gift of a Life.