Lincolnshire Voice

The Bishop of Lincoln, Rt Rev John Saxbee, trying to use his influence in the forthcoming general election.

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By George its Easter!

This year, Easter falls early in April &, of course, as usual St George’s Day falls towards the end of the month.

Celebrating St Georges Day is especially significant in England and 23rd is also the birthday of William Shakespeare. So, Our Patron Saint and most iconic poet and dramatist combined to fuel our sense of national pride and may contribute to that air of effortless superiority which seems to come over English people at this time of the year.

But this should be tempered by the fact this red-letter day in our national calendar falls within the season of Easter. This is the season when we celebrate Jesus breaking free from the bonds which bind us, so that borders and boundaries become not barriers but meeting places.

National pride is an important part of our identity as citizens who belong to a particular place, with all that its history and culture means to us and those around us. It can be cause for celebration and bring us together in positive ways. But it can also mutate into the worst kinds of nationalism which set people over against one another and release the dogs of war. “My country right or wrong” can never be an acceptable rallying cry for those who know themselves to be citizens of the world and members of the human family transcending national boundaries.

This will be especially true for those who live by faith in the resurrection of Jesus . During the Easter season, we are reminded of how he commissioned the disciples to take the good news of His risen life to the uttermost parts of the earth and it was clearly not going to be subject to border controls or lines on a map.

At the heart of Easter is a message for all people at all times and in all places. It is the ultimate antidote to the worst excesses of Nationalism and patriotic fervour. This may be something the people of this nation will need to bear in mind as we prepare for a General election, so that global as well as local considerations inform our decisions and our destiny.

+ JOHN LINCOLN