SUNDAY

I decided to write something down as a checklist for the new PM. No doubt anyone reading it would feel it a bit radical.

The second reading is taken from Galatians 5:

“When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm therefore and do not submit to the yoke of slaveyr.”

At the moment I am reading the Dalai Lama on the art of happiness. Of course for him happiness doesn’t come from having and wanting more and more money, position, power but from one’s own state of mind, a contentment with one’s lot. That is what frees one from the yoke of slavery to unhappiness. If you do not rely on your own state of mind you will never be happy.

MONDAY – St Cyril of Alexandria

Everyone is I presume rushing around seeing who can be nominated by whom, no doubt calculating how to get early onto the winning bandwagon. I concentrate on writing my policy piece which I have to self-publish anyway; no doubt a mistake.

“Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:18)

TUESDAY – St Irenaeus

I chair Westminster Hall – a pleasant side water. During these sort of days no one is very interested in the chamber or in issues.

I too can’t sleep, wondering what will be the outcome of all this. We all feel somewhere that we would like to have a go but we know, or most of us are sensible enough to know, that we do not have the support.

“Why are you so frightened, you men of little faith.” (Matthew 8:23)

WEDNESDAY – Sts Peter & Paul

The day before close of nominations for the leadership. One friend kindly says he will nominate me but one is not enough. I ring Liam Fox with whom I agree with on everything and will support him. He ends up the following Tuesday with just sixteen votes.

We pay our last visit to St Olave’s School for their Leavers’ Eucharist. Although there are no leavers, it is Theodore’s last exam, last day at school, and last day of any of our six children at school – a thirty-year stretch.

“On the night before Herod was to try him, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with double chains.” (Acts 12:1-11)

THURSDAY

I sit glued to the television as nominations close and with three minutes to spare Boris withdraws.

Today’s reading from Amos 7:10-17:

“Amos is plotting against you in the heart of the house of Israel.”

FRIDAY – St Oliver Plunkett

I am up at 5:00 to get the special train to Thiepval for the memorial service for the Somme battle, one hundred years ago. A truly moving and memorable experience. Lord Guthrie is clutching his field marshal’s baton, standing next to Cardinal Murphy O’Connor.

50,000 dead and wounded in one day.

Psalm 118: “Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

SATURDAY – 2 July

I dipped into a life of Cranmer in the library, awaiting a delayed vote. His last hours and his courage in the end were truly extraordinary.

“That day I will re-erect the tottering hut of David, make good the gaps in it, restore its ruins, and rebuilt it as it was in the days of old.” (Amos 9:11)

The reading comes from today’s Mass. What does it matter when one reads Amos. Cranmer would not have agreed. An heroic age.

In the evening we have the village hog roast. At the end we all help clear up. I get more satisfaction working together with the other villagers than from weeks at Westminster.