The Church, however, addresses itself to all human violence, in all human beings. If it is to be itself, it has no option but to live in penitence, in critical self-awareness and acknowledgement of failure. It must recognize constantly its failings as a community to be a community of gift and mutuality, and warn itself of the possibility of failure.
-Rowan Williams,Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter Gospel.
A friend recommended that we read this book during Lent. This passage captures one of the significant themes of the book thus far (I’m halfway through its 160 pages): for a church to witness to the hope of forgiveness it can never lose sight of its own ongoing need – both the individuals who comprise the community and the church as a collective – to be forgiven.
David W. Swanson 