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For You

A few of weeks back, Colin and I had a few days away visiting Liverpool; a city which has been on the ‘bucket list’ for some time, and it certainly did not disappoint. Sadly, stripped of its UNESCO status in 2021 due to the new buildings along the waterfront, it is a place full of history and wonderful architecture. Our time there consisted of The Beatles Tour (why wouldn’t you?!), listening to live music at The Cavern Club, exploring the Albert Dock and visiting the two cathedrals which bookend Hope Street. Both are impressive 20^th century places of worship, but it was an art installation in Liverpool Cathedral (the Anglican one) that really made an impact on me. I had previously seen a picture but hadn’t realised that it was to be found in Liverpool.

It is a brave thing for a cathedral to install a piece of modern artwork and place it centre stage under the West Window, particularly if it is by the controversial artist Tracey Emin. A commissioned piece to commemorate the city’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008, a single sentence in pink neon entitled ‘For You’ reads “I felt you and I knew you loved me.”

It is an intentionally ambiguous statement but one with huge impact. It was specifically placed over the main doors of the Cathedral to encourage visitors to spend time in contemplation as they enter and as they leave the building.  Everything in Liverpool Anglican cathedral was placed there to express the love of God and Emin’s work further encourages the visitor to the largest Cathedral in Britain to think about love and the need to share love.

For me, as I wondered around the Cathedral (which had been set up for a charity banquet – another fascinating sight!) I spent time reflecting on the times when I have most felt God’s presence. In the relative quiet of that magnificent building, the words of David’s psalm ran through my head, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” David’s question is rhetorical but does prompt reflection and a response. I am unsure if Tracey Emin would say that she has ever had an experience of the power and presence of the God who loves her more than she will ever know. But those of us who have, those of us who bear witness to this everlasting love would do well in recognising the times when we have felt God’s presence to be especially close and when we have seen him at work in our own lives and in the lives of others. St. Ignatius Loyola’s Examen allows us to do just that, so whether you are sitting in the resplendent surroundings of a Cathedral or in the familiar setting of your study, may you know, recognise and truly feel God’s love and presence with you this week.

This week’s thought was written by Claire Blatchford, EBA Regional Minister