Sunday 28th September was Harvest Festival at St Michael’s and the subject of Rev. Adele’s sermon was, appropriately, generosity. Members of the congregation were persuaded to leave their pews and take part in a spirited impromptu performance of the story of Ruth.

With touching generosity Ruth refused to abandon her elderly mother-in-law and as a result found herself having to glean amid the alien corn.

The reapers came striding down Boaz’s field (the centre aisle) wielding their (fortunately imaginary) scythes and leaving generous quantities of pampas grass (masquerading as barley) for young Ruth to take home to Naomi.

All the harvest gifts were donated to the local Tameside and Longdendale South Foodbank.

Our cover picture is a painting by René Magritte. An open door stands in a dimly lit, greyish foreground. The space around the door feels flat and colourless and subdued. But through the doorway, a different world is revealed: a glowing, golden light pours in from beyond, illuminating the threshold with warmth and life.

From shadow to light, from dullness to brilliance, the image beautifully mirrors the invitation of the Gospel: “Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” The painting suggests that while the world we inhabit may at times feel heavy or uninspired, just beyond the threshold lies something radiant, something better.

1600 years ago, Europe’s top scholar was an Italian called Jerome; he loved the works of Cicero. One night he dreamt that he had died, and reached the gates of heaven. The gate-keeper spoke to him: ‘Who are you? “Christianus sum.” replied Jerome. “I’m a Christian.” “No.” said the gatekeeper. “You’re not a Christian. You’re a Ciceronian.” He went on to explain: “In heaven we judge people by what they were most, when they lived on earth. And you dedicated everything to the classics and the works of Cicero. So, we judge you not to be a Christian, but a Ciceronian. You cannot enter.”

Jerome woke with a start, and made his resolve. Not only did he begin truly to follow Christ, but he turned his very considerable academic ability to translating the Bible into the common language of Europe; Latin. It took him years. His translation became known as the Vulgate version. That Bible served Europe for a thousand years. With the Bible’s message becoming the foundation of European civilisation, its culture became united. Once we take Christianity and the Bible out of Europe all that we are left with is a bunch of squabbling tribes. It’s time for Europe - like Jerome - to wake up again.

pollybrown@mottramparish.org.uk

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