Christ the worker

Just back from a three day residential at the diocesan retreat house, Wychcroft, in beautiful Surrey countryside, a few miles from the M25, and an amazingly tranquil spot.

The incumbents (ie vicars) who are receiving new curates this July were there for a bit of intensive training and preparation.

Here in Bermondsey we are very much looking forward to welcoming Jacob Mercer as our new curate after his ordination on 30th June at Southwark Cathedral.

One of the joys of Wychcroft is worshipping in the Chapel of the People of God, with this wonderful picture of Christ the Worker, so relevant for our largely urban diocese.

It is the resurrected, possibly even the ascended Christ, that is portrayed. The wounds in his hands and feet are clearly visible, but here's the bit that really struck me: he is still wearing his carpenter's apron.

I love that testimony to the humanity of the risen and ascended Lord, fully God, fully human, reigning in heaven but still bearing the wounds of his saving death for us, and still wearing his workman's robes, as a reminder that he lived and worked among us for thirty years before he began his ministry of teaching and proclaiming the kingdom of God.