THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 1 January 2008

The Rt Rev James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool

I know that even the thought of Cathedral bells let alone the sound of them might be too much for sore heads this morning! But as you’ve heard that’s how thousands of us here in Liverpool brought in the New Year last night. Gathered in the cavernous space of the great Anglican Cathedral we prayed in 2008 as the heavy bells tolled across the City heralding Liverpool as Europe’s next Capital of Culture. In 10 days time a spectacular artistic programme will be launched with the opening of the new riverside Arena.

In the final stages of the competition when Liverpool was bidding against other British cities there was a meeting with the panel of judges. Into the conversation one of them bowled the sixty four thousand dollar question, “Well then, what is Culture”? It’s a question not just for a City competing to be its Capital or even just for the artistic community. It’s perhaps one of the most searching religious and political questions we face today.

Just recently in a second hand bookshop I picked up a copy of ‘Notes towards the definition of culture’ by the poet T S Eliot. Writing after the second world war he said that culture included ‘all the characteristics, activities and interests of the people. He then listed ‘Derby Day, Henley Regatta, Cowes, 12th August, a Cup final, the Dog Races, The Pin Table, the Dartboard, Wensleydale cheese, boiled cabbage cut into sections, beetroot in vinegar, 19th century gothic churches, and the music of Elgar.’ He then wisely added: ‘the reader could make his own list’. But as to defining culture T S Eliot made two major points. Firstly, he argued that ‘no culture has appeared or developed except together with a religion’. And secondly, he concluded that ‘culture may be described simply as that which makes life worth living’

On this New Year’s Day as we gaze into the uncertain distance wondering what might erupt onto the horizon; as we ponder messages from various leaders Eliot’s description gives us a simple question by which to judge all these things. As we see the shift in international power and civilizations change we do well to ask about the values and whether these are the things which make life worth living for us all.

But this cultural question can also be applied personally as we contemplate the year ahead: what exactly are those things in this coming year which will make our own life worth living. It’s a sobering question for New Year’s Day – a sort of spiritual alka-selzer which nobody else can drink for us.