Pursuing Glory

The big story in Northern Ireland at the beginning of this Holy Week is one of sporting success as we celebrate the dramatic victory of Rory McIlroy at the US Masters golf tournament on Sunday night.

This victory has grouped Rory with a very distinguished group of just 6 who have won all four major tournaments over the course of their career. He is the first European to enter that group, and gaining this particular win has not been straightforward. He has come close on a number of occasions, most notably about 12 years ago when he had a clear lead and his game collapsed in the final round. On Sunday past, it was a real rollercoaster of emotions for his fans as he had a commanding lead, he made some mistakes, his leading challenger had an electric surge putting him right in contention and, eventually, Rory pulled off a majestic shot on the first play off hole to line up his victory putt.

You could see what it meant to him as he donned that famous green blazer. He dissolved in tears on that final green as the putt rolled in. He hugged his family, his caddy, his friends, and spoke movingly of his parents and all who had supported him in his quest for golfing immortality.

It’s quite something to see how Rory’s early talent was nurtured. He spoke, as a 10 year old boy, of his desire to win majors and become the best golfer in the world, and now all the news agencies want to write about him. He endorses everything from luxury watches to credit cards and clothing brands. His face is all over magazines and advertisements, and even adorns popular biscuits from a bakery in Holywood, Co. Down, his hometown.

One of the inspirational things about this story is that, while Rory has attained unbelievable wealth through his success, he has been very generous with that wealth. He has set up a charitable foundation, he nurtures the game of golf at a junior and grassroots level. He’s very involved in funding buildings that are making a huge difference in people’s lives, whether they are mencap nurseries, or places of respite for children with cancer. In the many demands made upon him in the media, he comes across as polite and courteous. He’s not afraid to speak his mind about things he disagrees with, but he remains grounded and grateful for all he has achieved.

I find it fascinating to watch and read about elite sports people in any sport. The amount of discipline and practice required to become the best is staggering. Apart from natural ability, there is the mental side of attaining these kinds of achievements and successes. We like to see vulnerability and frailty interspersed with genius, and that’s what makes these sports heroes compelling to watch. You become aware of how important it is to be resilient, to be able to regroup after things have gone badly and get up and go again, and never stop believing or pursuing your dreams.

We find ourselves in the most sacred week of the Christian calendar. Almost a third of the length of the gospels is devoted to these events in the last week of Jesus’s life. It’s a week that captures pain and suffering, but it’s also a week that highlights sacrifice and reveals glory.

There are times when it feels as if all is lost and nothing can hide the darkness and desolation of seeing the life extinguished from Jesus as He is nailed to a cross on Good Friday. He has been mocked and beaten and strung up for public humiliation, even though He had done nothing wrong.

We watch and wonder what good can come of this. Where and when will the green shoots of hope and glory come?

If we know this story and have experienced His love and presence in our lives, we want the world to know that this is available to all who would ask for it. People do not have to feel alone and isolated in their struggle or suffering. Even death itself has been swallowed up in victory.

We would love you to come to special events and services during this Holy Week to hear these events unpacked in an engaging and accessible way. There are services each evening at 7.30 pm. On Friday, there will be a day of prayer in the church and we invite people to do nothing more than come and spend perhaps half an hour in the Lord’s presence at the foot of the cross. There will be some resources to help you pray and there will be a special show called ‘The Chair, The Table and The Cross’ to unpack the significance of this week at 12 noon for children and families, followed by light refreshments in the hall. On Good Friday evening, there will be the moving service of Tenebrae at 7.30 pm, and on Easter Sunday there will be Holy Communion at 9 am, a family celebration of Communion at 11 am and Holy Communion at 7 pm.

May the words and music that are shared be a means of pointing you to the significance and the glory that Jesus invites us into.

Next week the blog and podcast will be taking a break, but look forward to speaking again soon.

Much love to everyone,

Jono.

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