Father Philip writes....
​Previous months this year

February

CANDLEMASS – 2nd February.
​The Feast of Candlemass is given 3 names:
  1. The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. The Jewish Law stated that every first-born son was to be dedicated to the service of God, for He saved Israel’s first-born when the first-born of Egypt died at the first Passover (Exodus 12 v 12);
  2. The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The purification of a woman was to be completed 40 days after the birth of a male child. Only then could she re-enter the ‘Court of Women’ on the Temple Mount;
  3. CANDLEMASS. The Romans used to carry candles and torches in the street to honour the goddess Februa. We carry candles not in honour of Februa but in honour of Christ, proclaimed by Simeon in the Temple to be ‘a Light to Enlighten the Gentiles’ – words used by the Church daily at Night Prayer
The blessing and distribution of candles should challenge us. The candle is a symbol of being a light for Christ. Jesus said, ‘You are the light of the world.’ The candle is also a symbol of sacrifice, for in giving light it gives of itself.
​​ In Luke 2 v 22 we see how Mary and Joseph’s lives revolved completely around Jesus,  how the prophetess Anna was devoted to serving God in prayer in the Temple and the old man Simeon believed he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. 
 We, too, need to live lives of sacrifice and radiate the love of Christ to those around. Even one person can make a difference in today’s world. Let us make sure each one of us shines as a light for Christ.

New gate to rood loft stairs
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What is a Rood Screen? In mediaeval churches, Rood Screens were used to mark the separation between the nave (the body of the church) and the chancel (where the High altar is situated). The word rood comes from the old English rōd, meaning the Cross of Christ and the rood figures consisted of Jesus on the Cross, with Mary and St John on either side. In our church the original screen and figures were removed at the Reformation, but the original steps leading from the Lady chapel remain. Our Rood figures were restored in 1981 above the chancel arch and for many years I have wanted a beautiful gate primarily for safety reasons. ​ 
The restored Rood held a fascination for John Herron for many years, and so the new gate given by his widow Anne, is a fitting memorial.
It bears a symbol copied from the South porch – a crowned AMR – standing for Ave Maria Regina – Hail Mary, ​​Queen, and the lock cover has an amusing and fitting rebus (an image like a pun, representing a name) of a heron.
​John was for many years a faithful member of St Mary’s congregation and the gate will be dedicated at parish Mass on Sunday 2nd Feb with shared refreshments afterwards. All are welcome.

January

​​At the beginning of January the Church keeps the Feast of the Epiphany.
"Epiphany" means “manifestation” or “showing forth”.
  1.     It means that Jesus is shown as Saviour of the World.  I used to have a joke mug in the Vicarage with the caption ‘Jesus loves you….. but I’m his favourite!’ The Jewish people of Jesus’ time thought they were God’s favourites and that the Messiah would be the Saviour just of them. In the Old Testament the Jews are portrayed as God’s chosen people but it came to be interpreted in a way that made all other people second class. The orthodox Jews of the time despised others who did not keep to their strict rules, yet the first Jewish people who heard the Good News of the Messiah’s birth were unorthodox shepherds – considered to be the lowest or outcasts of society.
2.    The manifestation of Jesus at Epiphany may be compared to a Royal birth. When a member of the Royal Family has a baby, the whole nation is told about it, but many people will camp on pavements outside the hospital until the mother leaves a short while afterwards and shows them the baby. Christ is born at Bethlehem at Christmass but the Epiphany is the showing forth to the Wise Men a while afterwards, rather like a royal couple showing their child.
3. The manifestation of Jesus involved a journey of faith. The wise men saw a star, but they did not know where it would lead them. Their journey was an act of faith. We tend to think the star led them to Bethlehem – the impression given by the carol “The First Nowell”, but the Bible shows the journey was one of searching, questioning, pain, joy, fear and hope. 
The star was at the beginning and end of their journey and these Gentile (non-Jewish) visitors had to make an act of faith. Like the shepherds, even when they saw the child they had to believe it was a royal birth. Their gifts showed Gold for a king, Incense for God and Myrrh for his death.

​This feast challenges us: The wise men brought their best gifts. What can I bring?
 Do I give God my best or what’s left over? ​
God loves all and nobody is his favourite. There is nothing worse than ‘I’m saved’ (‘…and you are not!’)  Fr Faber wrote:
‘For the love of God is broader
than the measure of man’s mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
              
But we make his love too narrow
by false limits of our own
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he will not own.’
​
​That does not mean ‘anything goes’ but it means our attitude should change. St Mary’s is a welcoming church, but I hope we can make it even more welcoming for all; God is manifested in us in his Royal Birth and we must do the same for others.
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