‘The Church is not a democratic debating society,’ Theodora had snapped at him. But she wondered whether he hadn’t a point.
‘If then we wish to turn from death,’ the bishop was saying, ‘if we intend to shake ourselves free from enslavement to idols and rise to the life eternal, we must learn to practise humility. Humility comes from a word meaning earth. Earthiness is what we need, a down-to-earth and clearsighted honesty which prompts us to look both ways, both within ourselves and outwards to our neighbours and our society. Such humility, if constantly worked for in a disciplined life of prayer, is the true mark of the follower of Christ.’
Down beyond Spruce Theodora glimpsed familiar faces. Surely it was Oliver Fresh and Stella Parish. The chapter, she had learned from the Examiner, had got its planning permission for the development of the Hollow as office blocks. If the chapter chose to proceed with their plans the Hollowmen and their animals would soon be homeless. They’d have to move on. Theodora felt a sudden shame. We have the rhetoric, she thought, blaming herself as well as the Church, we’ve had the words for centuries. It’s the actions we’re not so good at.
Idol Bones Page 19