Ding Dong

The funeral of Lady Thatcher (pictured above) took place this week. The interpretation of her memory has divided commentators over whether she was divisive or not. Both her detractors and defenders have been given ample airtime to elucidate matters; but the quasi-Manichean nature of the discussion (of which the lady herself would perhaps have approved) does not seem well-adapted to increasing anyone's understanding.

Sic Transit Benedict (inter caetera)

We know that some readers have been troubled by the non-appearance of a letter from Plumstead, worrying that we had been silenced by Royal Charter. Do not be afraid: for us the carnival is not over (though taking in the Church of England the more vernacular form of the Feast of Fools) and we will continue to tell you what to think abut the great issues of Church and State.

Tomorrow Belongs To Me

Of course Dr Fraser is not going to be elected. Admittedly, the timing of his giving up his Church Times column is suggestive.

Delectable Enormities, Or, Enough is Not as Good as a Feast

On Wednesday of Holy Week the Bishop of Rome recieved a present of a 551-pound chocolate egg, decorated with the papal arms (full story here, at the Catholic News Service). Was it filled with fondant, with yolk and white? Probably not, but it is very splendid all the same. 

The papal master of ceremonies, however, has missed a trick. Clearly the egg should have been carried into St Peter's this morning on the sedia gestatoria, before - to great fanfare - His Holiness burst out of it at the altar. Next year, perhaps.

Having not much of a sweet tooth, I cannot blame His Holiness for charitably giving this monster egg away, although the mistress of Plumstead Rectory says that if someone were to offer us such an egg (with appropriate coat of arms, of course) she would have a good go at finishing it.

Yet although this egg is far too much for one elderly clergyman, that is surely the point. The God of Easter gives us, not as much as we need, but more than we could ever desire. The table is fully laden: not only need none go hungry, but however much we recieve, there is always more. So even if you are still hung over from the party after the Easter Vigil (ahem) I hope you will be opening another bottle of champagne today. Or the largest possible chocolate egg, if your taste runs that way.

It is your solemn duty to feast. For Christ is risen, and of his fullness we have all recieved grace upon grace.

Happy Easter.