Epiphany

05 January 2003

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

On this first Sunday of the New Year, the Feast of the Epiphany, I invite you to kneel with the wise men before Jesus and his Mother. Who is this child? What is this child for our world? Do we believe that in him we see the presence and wisdom of God? Do we recognise in Jesus a way of life for all people that enables us to be better people and show more care for our world?

Do we believe that if politicians, world leaders and people of influence knelt before him, they world find in Jesus a wisdom that is new, which would enable them to exercise their authority for the common good and for world peace? Does Jesus teach us all how to relate justly towards one another but especially to the poor, the vulnerable and the needy?

Who is this child? It is important that we have an answer because in our daily lives we are called to be witnesses for him so that through us others may come to believe. That is the purpose of the Church. We belong to the Church so that we might know Christ Jesus but that knowledge is not for ourselves alone. It is to be shared with others. That sharing will come about to a large extent by the sort of people we are in our daily living.

The Feast of the Epiphany proclaims that Jesus is not for a particular people, at a particular time but is all for all people, at all times. In Jesus we discover God made flesh so that in Jesus we come to know God and our selves. Christ truly is for yesterday, today and tomorrow.

However, today there is an increasing number of people in our society who do not know Christ Jesus – many through no fault of their own. We need therefore to deepen our commitment to Christ and to live more faithfully the Gospel message Jesus proclaims. As Pope John Paul II said at the beginning of the millennium, we thank God for our past, but we need to live the present enthusiastically so that we can look to the future with confidence. Our confidence is not based on our strength, but upon the presence of God–with–us, Emmanuel.

On the 1st of January, I appointed new Deans for a period of four years. I hope the name of the Priest who is the Dean in your particular area has been made known to you or will be made known very soon.

The reason I mention these appointments is because I know they are important to the life of our Diocese, because it is within each Parish and each Deanery as a whole, that we need to see how we can best live our faith enthusiastically and with confidence. We need to identify our resources and recognise where we may need help. Our most important resources are ourselves – laity, clergy and religious that make up our Diocese. We all need one another and no community can work in isolation. In all of this, the Dean has an important role to play encouraging parishes to work together, supporting one another in the mission of the Church, so that through us others may come to believe in Christ.

As we begin this New Year I wish you the blessing of God given by Moses and Aaron to the people: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.

With my best wishes and prayers
Bishop of Clifton

This letter to be read or made available in all Churches and Chapels in the Diocese for the Feast of the Epiphany, Sunday 5 January 2003