News

When you next come to the cathedral, look up into the majestic nave, and you will see a new and striking contemporary artwork. The 5m illuminated ‘Light of Hope’ steel star, with changing lights, is the work of artist Peter Walker and will be with us until the New Year.

The star may remind you of the star of Bethlehem leading the Magi to the Christ child. Alternatively, you may, with The Venerable Bede, see it as representing Christ as the morning star, harbinger of dawn, guiding us through the darkness into the light of dawn.

In an uncertain world, as creation groans and many of us face anxiety and adversity, we need a sense of hope, and better things to come, more than ever.

The death of Queen Elizabeth has been a powerful example of the impact of a long life, well-lived. The thousands of people who poured through the open West End doors of the cathedral were testimony to the respect and affection in which she was, and is, held. Her life stands as a shining example of service, duty and care for others. She will continue to influence and inspire others for years to come.

The light from a star can take thousands of years to reach us, depending on how far away the star is from the earth. Similarly, it seems to me that life well-lived will continue to shed light, and influence, long into the future. The lives we live, the choices we make, affect the future for good or ill. As an unknown poet has written:

‘Were a star quenched on high, for ages would its light,
Still travelling downwards from the sky, shine on our mortal night.
So, when a good man dies, for years beyond our ken
the light he leaves behind him shines upon the paths of men.’

As we turn to winter and long dark nights lets be encouraged to look to the light and seek to reflect the light of God’s love in our families and communities. To become more hopeful and resilient, making good choices about sustainability for ourselves and our planet. In this way we will be lights in the darkness now and into the future.

The Very Revd Catherine Ogle

Dean of Winchester