Mass for the First Anniversary of Episcopal Consecration

1. As I celebrate the first anniversary of my ordination and consecration as Bishop of Paisley, there are three reflections which are suggested to me by Jesus’ words to us in today’s passage of the holy gospel according to John.

2. “You did not chose me, no I chose you.” I can honestly say that the call to be a bishop was truly unexpected. It was unexpected grace. My year as a bishop has been high-tempo, busy, varied, and demanding. It has stretched me and challenged me. It has been humbling, uplifting, and rewarding. But I have never felt over-whelmed, as I thought I might. I sense that I have been sustained by the grace of God and the prayers and goodwill of so many people. So to ‘unexpected grace’, I can add very thankfully ‘sustained by grace’. And as I begin now and look forward to my second year in office and to the future, I have to say that I am dependent on the Lord and on his Holy Spirit for inspiration, guidance, and wisdom. So unexpected grace, sustained by grace, dependent upon grace. “You did not choose me, no I chose you.” The office of bishop has been for me in its deepest reality gift of grace, for which I am thankful to God.

3. Jesus also tells us today: “Keep my commandments; remain in my love; love one another as I have loved you.” Being a bishop has reinforced in me the priestly imperative to be like Christ. The priest and the bishop stand at the altar in the person of Christ the Priest and Shepherd of his Church. I feel the need to be holy, more prayerful, more spiritual, more full of love, not just for my own good but for my priests and for my people. And this is a huge responsibility for I am most aware of my fragility. And again I need to trust and to strive. And I need the prayers of you all.

4. Jesus says:“ I commissioned you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” In the last year I have been all round this diocese, in some parishes more than once. I have met representatives of Catholic Associations and Groups. I have spoken to teachers. I have met all my priests individually, in groups and in assemblies. I have met many of the Religious present in the Diocese. I have met and spent time with groups of young people. Since the time of Pope Paul VI, we have heard the call for a new evangelisation. I hear that call especially clearly now. How much we need to be filled with the Gospel so that we can be witnesses to Christ in this time! I feel I am ready to call us again to that new evangelisation, priests, teachers, and faithful. I really want the Diocese of Paisley to be aflame with witness to the Lord. It is an awesome responsibility to be the one who must provide the inspiration in the local Church for this task.

5. So I ask you to offer this Holy Mass with me in thanksgiving and in supplication. And I ask you with all my heart for your prayers.

St. Mirin’s Cathedral, 20^th November 2006.