Simon Says ...

"If you want to learn about ethics," said a tutor of mine, "you should read novels".  Today the Church of England celebrates John Bunyan , the author of Pilgrims Progress and a dissenter imprisoned for preaching without a license (from the Anglican authorities).  Bunyan's rather pious tale of Christian who makes his pilgrimage through life has captured the imagination of Christians and become a work to which they have frequently returned.  And it has not just captured the imagination, it has shaped and encouraged the imagination of generation after generation of pilgrims.  Imagination is a key, if often neglected, area of our identity.  Danny Boyle's inclusion of a celebration of children's literature in the Olympic opening ceremony, and the equally wonderful story of Miranda in last night's Paralympic opening ceremony bear witness to that.  I'm also reminded of Philip Pullman's defense of children's literature because it deals wit...

Sermon for the Eve of the Transfiguration Exodus 24.12-end; John 12.27-36a I should warn you that you nearly didn’t get a sermon tonight – there has been too much going on in the Olympics that has been seriously distracting.   Yesterday we saw six gold medals, each accompanied by tremendous excitement and wonderful stories.   And then Andy Murray this afternoon was really special.   There has been glory in the past few days, and, I hope, in the coming days as well.             But without wanting to take away from the enjoyment of the Olympics, it is a very different sort of glory that we are to consider this evening.   Tonight we celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus.   You will remember the story, at the mid-point of Jesus ’ ministry, straight after Peter has for the first time dared to say out loud that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, Jesus took Peter, James and John up the mountain to...