Feast of All Saints

01 November 2008
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

In his book “Jesus of Nazareth” Pope Benedict asks the question “What difference does Jesus make?” He then goes on to ask: ‘If the coming of Christ has not brought peace and prosperity then what exactly does Christ bring? He answers his question by saying that Christ brings us hope. And hope the Pope says, is a gift that our western society needs very much.
 
On this feast of All Saints, Saint John speaks to us about “entertaining” hope and he says what hope is.
 
“My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.”
 
Saint John says two things: first we are already the children of God and second in the future we shall become like God because we shall see God as God really is. That is the foundation of our Christian hope. Christ has revealed that our future is with God and that future teaches us how to live in the present moment.
 
In our lives we have many hopes. We have hope for our families and friends; we hope for world peace and prosperity; we hope for a more just society; we hope that our world environment will be respected. Whatever our hopes they find their true meaning in Christ. As Saint Peter says - in Christ we will not be disappointed.
 
Today’s feast celebrates the people who have inspired us in our Christian journey. Some of them are well known having been canonised by the Church. The majority, in one sense, go unrecognised but they are known to us as people who have opened up an aspect of the Gospel which helps us in our daily lives. But just as the saints are an example to us, we are called to be witnesses for others.
 
For the past two years we have been reflecting upon what it means to be the Church in the Diocese of Clifton - we have been “Seeking the Face of Christ”. I am very grateful to all those who have participated in this consultation process.
 
During November I will be travelling around the diocese to launch the pastoral guidelines which have emerged from the consultation. I have named these guidelines: “Called to be a People of Hope”.
 
We belong to a communion of hope which is the Church. Built upon Christ and in union with all the Saints, we are called to be witnesses to hope in our world today.
 
The guidelines will be presented in five places around the diocese; Clifton Cathedral, The Immaculate Conception Stroud, St Osmund’s Salisbury, Holy Rood Swindon, and St George’s Taunton. The times and dates of these events are on the posters which have been sent to be displayed on notice boards. Information will also be found in parish newsletters and on the diocesan website.
 
The guidelines are intended to give direction to our parishes and communities for the next few years. They are to support and encourage what is already going on as well as calling people to new action. They are to help us give to our own and the future generation reasons for living and hoping.
 
Each time we celebrate Mass, we proclaim the central truth of our Faith - Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
 
Jesus Christ has come to bring us hope. As we celebrate this feast of All Saints may that hope be alive in our hearts and minds.
 
With my best wishes and prayers
Bishop of Clifton

To be read and / or made available in all Churches and Chapels in the Clifton Diocese on Feast of All Saints 1 and 2 November 2008