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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

At this time of the Church’s year, we are in Ascensiontide, having celebrated that feast on Thursday. Jesus has returned to the Father and the Apostles are waiting in expectant hope for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

We, of course, have received the Spirit – in our baptism and in our confirmation. Indeed, at present, we rejoice in the great number of our young people who are receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at this time of year. All are coming to the Cathedral – making a pilgrimage to the mother church of the Diocese in this Holy Year and in our 60th year.

Those being confirmed hear the words of the prayer: that the anointing of Confirmation conform them more fully to Christ, the Son of God. The more closely we are conformed to Christ, the more effective we shall be in our witness to Him.  

St Stephen, whose martyrdom forms the text of the first reading this Sunday, was so closely conformed to Christ that he was ready to shed his blood in witness to Him. The word ‘martyr’ means ‘witness’ – so being a martyr in the broadest sense is the call for every Christian.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear Jesus tell us that through our witness, the world will come to believe in Him. This is the mission the Lord has given to each and every baptised person. Wherever we are – whatever we do – our lives must speak to others of the wonder of the Lord’s love for us and His call to every person, of every age, to life in Him.

With every blessing,

+ Richard

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