Pastoral Message: 2nd Sunday of Lent 1997

PASTORAL LETTER OF BISHOP CORMAC MURPHY-O'CONNOR

To be read at all Masses
ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT 1997

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

To climb a mountain on a fine summer's day in the company of small group of friends is to be drawn closer together at each ascending step. The sounds from the valley die away beneath and we are left with our own thoughts as we see more and more of the countryside unfold itself before us. It is a privileged setting, it is a time for revelation. In today's Gospel we are told how Jesus took three of his apostles, three of his friends, on a mountain climb. It was for them a time of revelation. He had mysteries to reveal to them - mysteries of his own sufferings and death, mysteries of his resurrection and glory, the mystery of God's dealing through the ages with this world in order to redeem it. No wonder the voice of his Father came to them from a cloud saying "This is my son, the beloved, listen to him".

I have already spoken to you in other pastoral letters of the preparation that should take place in our diocese as we look towards the year 2000. I want to return to this theme again. I have said in our Diocesan Vision Statementt that we want, as a diocese, to deepen our understanding, our celebration and our witness of what it means to be Christ in our World. This year particularly we focus on the person of Jesus Christ who we believe to be the redeemer of all humanity and the Lord of history. How right it is during these days that we should return with renewed interest to the Bible, with a renewed appreciation of the apostles' teaching about the person of Jesus Christ and the mystery of salvation. There the teaching of the Church contained in her catechism helps us to a better knowledge of the Christian mystery and will deepen the faith of the people of God.

The celebration of what it means to be Christ in our World certainly involves our life of prayer and worship. It is important to remember that the celebration of the liturgy, particularly the Holy Eucharist, is not just a ritual to be performed. Liturgy is made up of Word and Sacrament and its purpose is to deepen and stimulate our faith and to draw all of us into union with God. Above all, we ought to remember that liturgy and worship is prayer. When we come together at Mass and at other liturgical celebrations we are the church at prayer and we should never forget it. Especially during this time of Lent let there be profound prayer, reconciliation and a spirit of penance amongst you all. One special- intention I pray for is a true longing for holiness in all our people and a deep desire for conversion to Jesus Christ in the context of more intense prayer and solidarity with our neighbours, especially the most needy.

This brings me to a witness in service of the poor in our communities and in the wider world. Some time ago I met with representatives of CAFOD, the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development, and, in communion with the other Bishops, have decided that I would like to invite everyone in the diocese to make a personal commitment to the alleviation of the hardships of the poor and the marginalised. Jesus, after all, said that he had come to bring good news to the poor, open the eyes of the blind and set the downtrodden free. Although I know that all of you in different ways already support the missionary activity of the Church by annual collections and in other ways, I think it would be good in preparation for the millennium that we made a particular commitment in this regard.

Accordingly, at the end of the Chrism Mass this year I wish to sign a Covenant in the presence of all the priests, deacons, religious and people who are present for that occasion. In this New Covenant:

• I wish to affirm that the Diocese, as Partners in Service, will renew and deepen its support of the poor by prayer, financial gift and seeking to understand and uphold more fully the rights of the underprivileged and needy;
• I will invite the priests, in partnership with their parishes, to consider what their personal and communal response could be in this New Covenant with the poor both at home and abroad.

It is not a question of how much money is offered but rather a sign of solidarity with the poor of the world "to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour". The real meaning of the Jubilee for us as Christians is that the coming of Jesus Christ has changed history and a jubilee that remembers and celebrates that fact is a truly fruitfUl exercise. It is a time when what God desires for his people becomes true.

May I end by saying that when we look at our society we may sometimes feel discouraged and feel that the odds against us seem impossible but the Church, and that is you and me, is at its best when it is truly humble and truly human and thus I ask you to dedicate yourselves more deeply through prayer, reconciliation and a practical sign of solidarity with the poor. Perhaps one of the most fascinating things about Pope John Paul's letter on the coming third millennium is that he sees the future so positively despite the failures of humanity that are so evident. It is with the spirit of hope that we approach the coming millennium and beyond; that hope that has been made incarnate for us in Jesus Christ, the Lord and saviour of us all. May each one of you have a holy and a fruitful time during these coming weeks as we prepare for Holy Week and Eastertide.

With my kindest wishes and prayers,

Yours devotedly in Christ,

Rt. Rev. Cormac Murphy-O'Connor
Bishop of Arundel and Brighton.