Caring: William, Justin, Benedict… and Jesus

I read this morning about Jesus the good, shepherd. Caring…

On last night’s news the Prince of Wales described the past year as the hardest year of his life.

In February we learnt that the King had cancer and would begin treatment; six weeks later it was announced the Princess of Wales was undergoing chemotherapy after a cancer diagnosis.

Prince William talked about how he has coped: ‘I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been brutal.’

For William this year, caring for his family through illness has been tough.

Also on last night’s news Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby revealed that he’d considered resigning. A report found the Church of England had covered up sexual abuse by a barrister for years.

John Smyth QC, believed to be the most prolific serial abuser associated with the church, had abused as many as 130 boys and young men at Christian summer camps.

Mr Welby said: ‘I have been giving [resigning] a lot of thought for actually quite a long time, there is nothing over the last 10 years that has been as horrible as dealing with numerous abuse cases.’

Justin Welby’s caring role involves dealing with such horrendous abuse cases.

Archbishops wear a ‘Pallium’, made from lamb’s wool, over their shoulders while celebrating Mass. In 2005 Pope Benedict explained its significance:

‘…the lamb’s wool is meant to represent the lost, sick or weak sheep which the shepherd places on his shoulders and carries to the waters of life… The Son of God… carries us all – he is the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.

What the Pallium indicates first and foremost is that we are all carried by Christ. But at the same time it invites us to carry one another. Hence the Pallium becomes a symbol of the shepherd’s mission…’

Musing… caring like a shepherd… learning from William, Justin, Benedict… and Jesus.