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SERMON LIBRARY |
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· Deacon Debbie Wesseloo (2)
· Deacon Phillip Laurings (3)
· Dean William Mosert (1)
· Reverend Angus Paterson (0)
· Reverend Graham Alexander (1)
· Reverend Joe Thompson (2)
· Reverend Lindy Rookyard (4)
· Visiting Clergy (0)
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| Date | 2010-04-01 | | Preacher | Rev. Lindy Rookyard | | Title | MAUNDY THURSDAY - FOOT WASHING 7pm | | Sermon Details | John 13: 1-15
So what is tonight all about, this holy, sacred night? We’re here to remember, aren’t we – we’re here to remember how Jesus met with his disciples in the Upper Room on the night before he was led up to Calvary – the place of crucifixion.
We’re here to remember how, in that Upper Room Jesus instituted the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. He then told them to continue doing this in memory of him.
We’re here to remember how, during the course of the meal, he stooped to wash his disciples’ feet, and then gave them the instruction to continue doing this for one another.
We’re here to remember these things, like we do on every Maundy Thursday … and then … and then what … are we going wait until next year … to carry out the ritual … again? No folks, surely there is more to tonight than that. Surely, the intention is deeper. Surely, the command means more than just … this … more than just … remembering? Tonight – tonight we’re going do more than just remember – tonight we going make it real – tonight we’re going to BECOME all that we’re remembering … or at least I hope we are.
You see, there’s a big difference between ‘remembering’ and ‘becoming’. There’s a big difference between being obedient to the ritual, and being obedient to the command. But there is no difference between tonight, and any other night – why then does it seem like there is?
Jesus came to show us, in a very real way, how to live our lives – not just during this holy week, but every week. And while we may share communion week by week, when last were you the bread that fed another soul, and when last did you stoop to wash someone’s feet?
But what does it mean to be the bread, and what does it mean to wash another’s feet?
Some food for thought: The question is never asked of the bread used for the Eucharist, “Would you like to be consecrated?” Imagine if the bread responded, “No, no thank you. You see, I’m just ordinary bread. I’m only good to become a sandwich! Besides, I’m not so keen on being the body of Christ anyway – it might hurt!”
Is it not our belief that we are the ‘Body of Christ’? Does that not mean that every time we receive that bread we are once again consecrated for God’s use – set apart as holy nourishment for God’s world? I believe that at each celebration of the Eucharist – each time we remember that holy meal instituted on that holy night – each of us is personally asked, “Do YOU wish to be consecrated?” Unlike the bread, we can refuse, saying, “No, no thanks. I’m just an ordinary person. I’m only good for ordinary things. I’m not so keen on BEING the body of Christ – it might hurt. I just want to GO to communion, I just want to RECEIVE communion, not BECOME communion”.
But what’s the good of that? What’s the good of ‘remembering’ something, what’s the good of carrying out a ritual, if it’s not effective or if it does not lead to anything? If nothing good happens as a result of receiving Communion, what’s the point?
Ronald Rollheiser, a renowned spiritual writer, once wrote of the liturgy of the Eucharist, “The truly important consecration that takes place is the consecration of the people there” (Repeat). This belief was also expressed long ago by St Augustine (354-430). When he distributed Holy Communion, he would often say, “Receive what you are”.
Having received the body of Christ, having become the body of Christ – what then was Jesus’ command? He commanded that the disciples, and now us, do this in memory of Him. Surely the command was not to simply keep the ritual within the confines of the Upper Room, or for us to keep the ritual within the confines of our church building? Continuing to keep that memory is like throwing a pebble into the pond of the world to create an ever-widening circle of consequences that flow outward to the edges of the universe. If the sacred consequences and healing influence of the Eucharist seem to have been restricted, is it because we have restricted “Do this in memory of me” to the inside of church buildings? Surely the command is to go out – renewed and nourished and strengthened – to feed others! And since we are ‘the Body’, we are in fact the spiritual food for a hungry world! When last though, did we feed a spiritually hungry soul?
Jesus gave them another command too, a command which now is ours as well. In John’s account of the Last Supper, the foot-washing bowl seems as important as the sacred cup. That common washing bowl becomes important through the holy action and ritual of Jesus.
I found something so interesting the other day. In Edward Hays book, “The ascent of the Mountain of God”, he says that the Greek word for ‘sacred bowl’ is the same word used for a woman’s womb. From that sacred bowl, that womb, Jesus brought forth a new sacrament: it was the birth of ordination to servant-hood; the birth of all of us – ordinary, common-place people, clergy and laity alike – being ordained, being set apart, to emulate that example of humility and servant-hood. This is why we become; this is why we are, the ‘Body of Christ’. There is simply no other reason, or purpose, or intention for our lives.
That is why the memory of that holy night, the memory of that Holy Thursday, is so poignant –
That night, Jesus consecrated the common-place into the divine. The bread and wine, the drinking cup, the washing bowl, and all who were present – were made sacred, consecrated by the power of his love. This was no ordinary love it was a loving unto death.
As we said earlier, there’s a big difference between ‘remembering’ and ‘becoming’. There’s a big difference between being obedient to the ritual, and being obedient to the command. That is why tonight can be different, for tonight we’re given the opportunity and the choice to do more than just remembering, to do more than just obediently performing the ritual. That choice is ours – are we going to merely remember, or are we going to become broken and spilled out in love for God’s world?
As we stretch out our hands to receive the bread and the wine tonight may these words be on our lips: “Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord for Thee”. Amen. |
| Date | 2010-03-14 | | Preacher | Reverend Lindy Rookyard | | Title | RECONCILIATION - MOTHERING SUNDAY | | Sermon Details | 2 Cor: 5: 16-20 The ministry of reconciliation
Psalm 32 The joy of being reconciled to God
Romans 5: 1-11 Peace and Joy
LUKE 15: 11-32 Parable of the Lost Son
I mentioned at the beginning of the service that this is a Sunday of rejoicing !
It is the 4th Sunday, or half-way stage, in Lent – that’s cause for rejoicing especially if you have been fasting!
It is sometimes called Refreshment Sunday – a day on which Lenten disciplines, such as fasting, can be relaxed a little – that’s cause for rejoicing! Traditionally, Simnel cake, a rich fruit cake, is enjoyed on this day - Simnel coming from the Latin word ‘simila’ meaning fine flour.
Today is also known as Mothering Sunday – a day of joyful thanks-giving for all womanhood, for our mothers, and especially for the Church, ‘the mother of us all’. Traditionally mothers are given posies of fresh flowers by their children on this day – here at the Cathedral a tradition seems to have developed, that of giving all women a sprig of rosemary – rosemary symbolising ‘remembrance’ – in remembrance of our mothers. Rosemary, a shrub belonging to the mint family, has long been associated with the Virgin Mary, the mother of God. There is a legend which tells of the plant having white flowers until one day, on her flight to Egypt, Mary placed her cloak on a rosemary bush and the flowers turned blue.
In some areas this Sunday is known as Rose Sunday – perhaps a title ‘stemming’ from the ancient catholic tradition of popes blessing roses on this day – roses to be sent to Catholic sovereigns in the then known world – or it can be a title ‘stemming’ from the fresh flowers given to mothers on this day. I’m sure you would agree that simply gazing at the beauty of a rose brings joy to ones heart. And then, within our own parish, the Cathedral Church of St Dunstan, we have been following certain themes during Lent 2010; this week we are focussing on “Reconciliation” – what joy comes from being ‘reconciled’ after estrangement!
As you look around you see references to our Lenten Theme of ‘Reconciliation’. Once again our Lay Ministers have been creative in their displays. Posters with relevant words from Scripture; the wooden cross reminding us of God’s reconciling love for us; the roses reminding us of the love offered and shared by mothers and Mother Church; (and during the prayers today you may like to glance at the over-head screen where beautiful scenes will be displayed;) but now I’d like you to take a good look at the bookmark you received this morning. Do you recognise the picture? It is a picture taken of the stained glass window above the west door of this Cathedral Church. I believe the symbolism of that window assists us in correlating ‘Reconciliation’ with Refreshment Sunday; with Mothering Sunday; with Rose Sunday; and also with the baptisms about to take place here (at the 9am service) on this 4th Sunday in Lent.
Hold that bookmark and focus on the cross, the light behind it, and the rays emanating from it. When light shines onto the window the empty cross radiates the light of Christ’s love for us. The shining light on that cross draws attention – it is a beacon which cannot be ignored – it’s the first item our eyes are drawn towards. That cross is visible to all who approach the Cathedral door. Some may approach the Cathedral door like the repentant son in the parable; others may come like the disgruntled older brother, yet others may come like one of the by-standers, but that cross seems to draw us closer – invites us to enter – invites us to bring with us all that we are carrying in our lives. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. By taking up that offer – by stepping into the church – under the cross - we learn to walk a closer walk with Jesus through worship; through fellowship; through prayer; through listening to words from Scripture, and the offer will come from Christ to lay our heaviness at the foot of his cross. In trusting in his reconciling love for us we will be refreshed – we will find renewed joy in our lives and be reconciled to God and to fellow pilgrims on our life journeys.
Baptisms in many churches are performed close to the west door of the church signifying entrance into the Christian community. It seems such a pity that we do not use the font at the Cathedral west door but for various reasons it seems more sensible to use our portable font placed on the sanctuary steps. Persons being baptised are washed in the water; refreshing them from all sinfulness; they are marked with the cross the sign of Christ – they are given a candle symbolising the Light of Christ – reminding them that Christ will light their life journey. They will be welcomed into this Christian community. They will have entered the Church! In fellowship and worship they will encounter the love and joy offered by God and shared by members of this Mother Church – they will be refreshed – they will be renewed – they will be reconciled – there is cause for much rejoicing!
It would do us well to remember that since our own baptisms we carry the sign of the cross, the sign of Christ on our foreheads – we belong to Christ – He is our Light – if only we would look up and acknowledge his reconciling love for us. The beauty of His love can radiate from us if we offer ourselves, with all our prickles – with all our blemishes – to be refreshed by Him. Lent can be a very meaningful time in every Christian life.
When we turn to leave the Cathedral this morning, to go out into the world, we will pass through the west door once again. Take time to look up at that cross on the window – be reminded that Christ’s light guides us, his love renews us, and his presence protects us, and that, if we are willing, His love can and will radiate through us into the world around us.
May this be a very meaningful Lenten journey in YOUR life.
Amen. |
| Date | 2010-03-28 | | Preacher | Rev. Lindy Rookyard | | Title | PALM SUNDAY (Year C) | | Sermon Details | Isaiah 50: 4-9a The Lord’s Suffering Servant
Psalm 31: 9-16
Phil 2: 1-11 Imitating Christ’s humility
LUKE 22: 14 – 23: 56 The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
Today you and I begin the great Holy Week of our faith. We follow a series of events unfolding from today (Palm Sun) through to the morning of the resurrection (Easter).
By participating in these events we could in some way reach a better understanding of God’s plan for our salvation.
In the centre of all the drama taking place this week stands Jesus the Saviour of all humankind. Jesus, the Christ, Jesus the long awaited Messiah, Jesus the sacrificial Lamb taking away the sins of the world, Jesus the One who has opened up for us the joy of eternal life with our Creator God.
Our readings this morning have been powerful in description. It would be good for you to re-read them, in the quietness of your own homes, before today is over.
Each reading speaks effectively into the message, I believe, God wants to share with us.
The prophet Isaiah often spoke of ‘the One’ who would come to the rescue of Israel – as we know the people of Israel had often deserted, often turned away from God.
Surely Jesus is ‘the One’ who came to rescue, to heal the individual, as well as the nation, Israel? Jesus came to turn the people back to God, to restore, to heal, to strengthen that relationship once more.
The words of the Psalm speak of the helplessness felt by someone who is ailing. (“My strength fails me because of my affliction and my bones grow weak”.
These words cause us to think of how Jesus must have felt during those hours of trial, condemnation and crucifixion. Yet it is because he suffered so, that we are able to be strengthened and healed from many afflictions of body, mind, and soul.
Paul’s words to the Philippians make us realise that we are called to take on a servant attitude; called to serve others through the love of God. He writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus; humble and obedient, serving others even unto death”. Humble service to others brings unity and renewed strength.
If you have been following our Lenten Journey here at the Cathedral this year, you would be aware of the various themes highlighting each week. We have journeyed through the themes of ‘Love’, ‘Peace’, ‘Forgiveness’, ‘Reconciliation’, ‘Justice’, and today we culminate our journey focussing on ‘Healing’.
Can we not say that through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus we have been gifted with God’s Love, Peace, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Justice and Healing?
Jesus suffered and died for us because of God’s ‘love’ for us.
Jesus brings ‘peace’ into our lives; inner peace into our lives when we offer our anxieties, fears, and our burdens to Him. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
He teaches us the very essence of forgiveness by his life example and especially through his words from the cross, “Father, forgive them”.
Reconciliation comes from accepting his redemptive concern over us. By admitting and confessing our sins we are assured of a restored, a reconciled, relationship with God our Father and with one another.
Leaving justice in God’s hands will help us to live in peace and harmony with family, friends, fellow citizens of our land, and beyond.
Today, in St Luke’s account of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the sharing of Passover Supper, the agony in Gethsemane, through the hours of his arrest, and up to the crucifixion on Calvary, reminds us that through his suffering, through his wounds, we have been healed.
This is a week when we are once again urged and encouraged to reassess our own relationship with God and with one another.
As we walk with Jesus this week we are reminded that God came to earth in human form to set an example for us to live by and to show us, in a very tangible way, that eternal life with God is what God intended for us from the very beginning.
The events of Good Friday and Easter morning show us that God will welcome us into eternal life when our earthly life comes to an end.
Getting back to the excitement of today, Palm Sunday, we feel a sense of anticipation as we journey through today and into the week that lies ahead.
We, like those people in that crowd that day, sense that something is going to happen!
Here is a little food for thought:
If an artist, living at the time of Jesus, were to paint a picture of the coming of the messiah, he would probably paint a powerful person riding a magnificent horse – waving triumphantly to the crowds - chariots and horsemen – masses of people dancing – rejoicing - blowing trumpets – Jerusalem City of God in all its splendour – there would be people rejoicing and worshipping in and around the Temple - Romans lying dead along the streets – and perhaps even the city of Rome, in the distance, on fire.
That’s the kind of messiah the Jews of that time were expecting because they were anxious to be free of foreign oppression – needed a mighty saviour to rescue them.
If you or I were asked to paint a picture of the coming of the Messiah our picture would probably show Jesus sitting quietly and pensively on the back of a little donkey – some people running excitedly alongside him waving palm branches - the disciples following close behind with Jerusalem, the City of God, ahead of them – the Temple with many people in and around the area – some close friends waiting a little ahead of him – a hill on the outskirts of the city.
My question is: “where would you place yourself in that picture”? Would you be one of the group running alongside Jesus; would you be walking behind with the disciples; would you be watching from the Temple courts; would you be waiting at one of the city gates; or would you not be there at all?
The week ahead is eventful and I encourage you to attend as many Holy Week worship services as possible. I also encourage you to carry that question, “where would you place yourself in that painting”, throughout this week and hopefully by Easter morning we will know without a doubt where we fit into the picture.
And so may this be a rewarding week for each of us as we enjoy a closer walk with Jesus; and ultimately a closer relationship with God. Amen.
PALM SUNDAY (Year C) 28.03.2010 St Dunstan’s Cathedral
Isaiah 50: 4-9a The Lord’s Suffering Servant
Psalm 31: 9-16
Phil 2: 1-11 Imitating Christ’s humility
LUKE 22: 14 – 23: 56 The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
Today you and I begin the great Holy Week of our faith. We follow a series of events unfolding from today (Palm Sun) through to the morning of the resurrection (Easter).
By participating in these events we could in some way reach a better understanding of God’s plan for our salvation.
In the centre of all the drama taking place this week stands Jesus the Saviour of all humankind. Jesus, the Christ, Jesus the long awaited Messiah, Jesus the sacrificial Lamb taking away the sins of the world, Jesus the One who has opened up for us the joy of eternal life with our Creator God.
Our readings this morning have been powerful in description. It would be good for you to re-read them, in the quietness of your own homes, before today is over.
Each reading speaks effectively into the message, I believe, God wants to share with us.
The prophet Isaiah often spoke of ‘the One’ who would come to the rescue of Israel – as we know the people of Israel had often deserted, often turned away from God.
Surely Jesus is ‘the One’ who came to rescue, to heal the individual, as well as the nation, Israel? Jesus came to turn the people back to God, to restore, to heal, to strengthen that relationship once more.
The words of the Psalm speak of the helplessness felt by someone who is ailing. (“My strength fails me because of my affliction and my bones grow weak”.
These words cause us to think of how Jesus must have felt during those hours of trial, condemnation and crucifixion. Yet it is because he suffered so, that we are able to be strengthened and healed from many afflictions of body, mind, and soul.
Paul’s words to the Philippians make us realise that we are called to take on a servant attitude; called to serve others through the love of God. He writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus; humble and obedient, serving others even unto death”. Humble service to others brings unity and renewed strength.
If you have been following our Lenten Journey here at the Cathedral this year, you would be aware of the various themes highlighting each week. We have journeyed through the themes of ‘Love’, ‘Peace’, ‘Forgiveness’, ‘Reconciliation’, ‘Justice’, and today we culminate our journey focussing on ‘Healing’.
Can we not say that through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus we have been gifted with God’s Love, Peace, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Justice and Healing?
Jesus suffered and died for us because of God’s ‘love’ for us.
Jesus brings ‘peace’ into our lives; inner peace into our lives when we offer our anxieties, fears, and our burdens to Him. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
He teaches us the very essence of forgiveness by his life example and especially through his words from the cross, “Father, forgive them”.
Reconciliation comes from accepting his redemptive concern over us. By admitting and confessing our sins we are assured of a restored, a reconciled, relationship with God our Father and with one another.
Leaving justice in God’s hands will help us to live in peace and harmony with family, friends, fellow citizens of our land, and beyond.
Today, in St Luke’s account of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the sharing of Passover Supper, the agony in Gethsemane, through the hours of his arrest, and up to the crucifixion on Calvary, reminds us that through his suffering, through his wounds, we have been healed.
This is a week when we are once again urged and encouraged to reassess our own relationship with God and with one another.
As we walk with Jesus this week we are reminded that God came to earth in human form to set an example for us to live by and to show us, in a very tangible way, that eternal life with God is what God intended for us from the very beginning.
The events of Good Friday and Easter morning show us that God will welcome us into eternal life when our earthly life comes to an end.
Getting back to the excitement of today, Palm Sunday, we feel a sense of anticipation as we journey through today and into the week that lies ahead.
We, like those people in that crowd that day, sense that something is going to happen!
Here is a little food for thought:
If an artist, living at the time of Jesus, were to paint a picture of the coming of the messiah, he would probably paint a powerful person riding a magnificent horse – waving triumphantly to the crowds - chariots and horsemen – masses of people dancing – rejoicing - blowing trumpets – Jerusalem City of God in all its splendour – there would be people rejoicing and worshipping in and around the Temple - Romans lying dead along the streets – and perhaps even the city of Rome, in the distance, on fire.
That’s the kind of messiah the Jews of that time were expecting because they were anxious to be free of foreign oppression – needed a mighty saviour to rescue them.
If you or I were asked to paint a picture of the coming of the Messiah our picture would probably show Jesus sitting quietly and pensively on the back of a little donkey – some people running excitedly alongside him waving palm branches - the disciples following close behind with Jerusalem, the City of God, ahead of them – the Temple with many people in and around the area – some close friends waiting a little ahead of him – a hill on the outskirts of the city.
My question is: “where would you place yourself in that picture”? Would you be one of the group running alongside Jesus; would you be walking behind with the disciples; would you be watching from the Temple courts; would you be waiting at one of the city gates; or would you not be there at all?
The week ahead is eventful and I encourage you to attend as many Holy Week worship services as possible. I also encourage you to carry that question, “where would you place yourself in that painting”, throughout this week and hopefully by Easter morning we will know without a doubt where we fit into the picture.
And so may this be a rewarding week for each of us as we enjoy a closer walk with Jesus; and ultimately a closer relationship with God. Amen. |
| Date | 2010-01-31 | | Preacher | Reverend Lindy Rookyard | | Title | 4th Sunday of Year C | | Sermon Details | Jer 1: 4-10 The call of Jeremiah
Psalm 71: 1-6 God’s constant help – from childhood to old age
1 Cor 13: 1-13 Faith, hope, and love
LUKE 4: 21-30 The rejection of Jesus at Nazareth
Okay, so what has changed? Generations come and go – congregations come and go – membership in synagogues and churches come and go – and yet those words, ‘people remain people’ ring true. And is it not true that we, as ‘people’, when coming to church –
• Firstly, like only to hear nice things; like only to hear words which make us feel comfortable; to hear a message which makes us feel good about ourselves and,
• Secondly, when someone says or does something which makes us feel uncomfortable or uneasy – we get upset and unpleasantness usually follows? I recently overheard someone saying “you do not need to go to Carnival City or the Standard Bank Arena to see a good fight – just go to church!”
Today’s gospel message is exactly about these two issues: Coming to church to hear what we want to hear; and then getting upset when we feel challenged or uncomfortable. Let’s keep these two issues in mind as we journey through this sermon this morning.
If you had been in church last week you would have heard the beginning of this saga in the synagogue in Nazareth. Jesus had come from Capernaum and was visiting Nazareth. He went, as was his custom, to the local synagogue to worship, just as you and I have come to our local church today to worship. Being invited to read and to preach he read a portion from the writings of the Isaiah scroll then sat down, as they did in those days, to preach. At first the people there hung on every word he said. He had chosen a good text – one they liked and were familiar with. He reminded them that they were indeed God’s special people. We like to hear that too – am I right? We like to hear that God loves us and will protect us – this makes us feel content. But then he went on to say things which made them feel uncomfortable – which stirred up their emotions – and the atmosphere turned hostile!
Suddenly those people were hearing only with their ears not with their hearts.
The audacity of this young man intimating that he is the long awaited Messiah! This young man had grown up in front of their eyes – he was Joseph the carpenter’s son. He was no messiah that would come and free them from Roman oppression! He had no army; no wealth; no fixed home. He had become a wandering preacher with a band of fishermen and tax collectors as followers! These people who had been so eager to hear his words now wanted to throw him off a cliff!
What happens when we don’t like what we hear? When the words or actions of people, especially people at church, upset us? The buzz word these days is CONFLICT.
Yes, countries, congregations, couples become caught up in conflict – even our Lord did on that day and on many other occasions. It’s often the way we human beings react.
We can ask ourselves, ‘if something as simple as telling the TRUTH can cause conflict how are we to live out our Christian lives in community with other people’? Probably by listening with our hearts and not simply with our ears before we react or speak!
I love the story of the husband who didn’t think when he became angry with his wife. He blurted out “how can someone so beautiful be so stupid?” She answered without a moment’s hesitation, “God made me beautiful so you would marry me; and He made me stupid so I would marry you!” Oh dear – conflict, conflict, conflict.
Let’s delve a little deeper into our own lives, into our own souls this morning. What is it that our loving God is revealing to us through the words from Scripture, read right here, in this worship service, this morning?
If we look closely at each of the readings, the call of Jeremiah the prophet; the psalm; Paul’s letter of ‘love’; and Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth; we find answers to how we can listen with our hearts and not simply with our ears before we react or speak, when interacting with people around us.
In the calling of Jeremiah, and in the words of the psalm, we are reminded that God has loved us and has been with us since before the time of our conception.
In Jer 1: 5 God says; “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart”
In Psalm 71: 6 the psalmist writes; “You are he that brought me out of my mother’s womb; on you have I leaned since my birth”
In the words of another beautiful psalm, psalm 139; “For you created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb; you knew my soul when I was formed”.
In Rick Warren’s book “A purpose driven Life” Rick reminds readers that each one of us is created by God for a purpose. We are not here simply to take up space or to use up precious oxygen! We have been created for a purpose, God’s purpose. God has an intention for each of our lives.
Surely our loving Creator God intends for us to live out our earthly lives listening with our hearts and then reacting in ways which are beneficial and uplifting to our fellow human beings living on earth with us?
How do we do that? How do we listen with our hearts? Perhaps the words written by St Paul will give us a little light. Paul’s hymn of love is the best known of all his writings. First, he contrasts love to other spiritual gifts that were so eagerly sought by the people in Corinth. But he reminds those people that without a deep sense of love, all these other gifts were useless for the community. He picks out two qualities that mark love, its patience and kindness. Patience and kindness require us to listen with our hearts and not simply to react to what our ears hear!
In love God created us; in love God can reveal His intention for us.
Does this message today encourage us in any way to transform our ways of listening with our hearts to God’s calling on our lives?
Perhaps this is the year when we need to delve a little deeper into our own understanding of our lives? Perhaps God is saying to us “please listen with your hearts”?
Before Bishop David Beetge died he shared with the clergy of this diocese his vision of a year of ‘Evangelism, Mission, and Renewal’ within parishes and arch deaconries of this diocese, but as you well know, God called him to glory before that vision or intention could be implemented. Bishop David Bannerman has since taken up that intention. We as the people of this diocese are being challenged to make this a year of ‘Evangelism, Mission, and Renewal’ from Pentecost 2010 to Pentecost 2011. We are being asked to be creative in our worship; in our liturgy; in our home groups; in our Bible studies; in our working with young people; in our working with the not so young people; in our outreach programmes; in our ecumenical interaction with faith communities around us. It is to be a year of ‘evangelism, mission and renewal’.
Now I know it’s a little early to be talking about Lent, but next week, the 7th Feb, I will not be here with you; the following week, 14th Feb, we have our annual Vestry meeting, and Lent begins on Wed 17th Feb! So, perhaps today is the best time to talk about our upcoming Lenten journey, Lent that time of inner reflection; that time of thinking about God’s intention for us; thinking about our purpose in life; that time of endeavouring to strengthen our relationship with God. Surely Lent is a good time to get this theme of Evangelism, Mission, and Renewal into perspective?
So, on Sunday 14th Feb, the Sunday of Vestry, the Sunday before Ash Wed, you will find in your pew-leaflet a programme of services taking place during Lent to Easter. You will also find an invitation to this year’s Lenten appeal with a difference. It’s an invitation to “Count your blessings” during Lent. You will also find a booklet of ‘personal prayers and thoughts from Scripture’ for each day of the week leading you into the theme for the upcoming Sunday. The six Sundays during Lent will each have a specific theme guiding our thoughts; helping us to listen with our hearts; and encouraging us to strengthen our relationship with God, which will lead us into personal renewal and into a mindset of our own response to evangelism and mission through the way in which we conduct our lives and acknowledge our blessings from God.
You and I have a wonderful opportunity here at St Dunstan’s Cathedral to truly reflect what God is asking of us. This very morning, if we look around we will see people of various cultures; various backgrounds; various races; various orientations, all drawn together through our love of God. May this be the beginning of our own inward reflection, seeking to renew our lives; seeking to strengthen our relationship with God; seeking to listen with our hearts, because through that renewal and revival we will be inspired to go out into the world of 2010 and make a difference! I believe Mission and Evangelism come from within!
Amen. |
Instructions
The above section is made up of two parts, namely:
· List of categories
· Sermon details
The list of categories has been structured by indenting sub categories to show their relationship to the category above. Next to each category is a number surrounded by brackets which indicates the total number of sermons in the category.
When you click on one of these categories, the right hand side of the page will display a list of the sermons within the selected category.
The sermon details are made up of :
· Sermon date
· Preacher
· Title
· Sermon Details
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