Rev Pam Hynd's sermon for Pentecost 14
Over the past few years, and the past week in particular, people around the world have reflected in new ways on the nature of evil and the possibility of being genuinely spiritually safe. In the face of systemic evil, we find wisdom and guidance of these ancient words written to a little church in Ephesus.
Domestic abuse is the other pandemic that is killing women throughout Australia, and limiting their capacity for doing and being all they are created to do and be. A recent report commissioned by the Anglican Church of Australia (see https://anglicanfocus.org.au/2021/06/11/national-anglican-family-violence-research-report-released) showed that misreadings of some Bible passages are correlated with abuse within churchgoing families. We need to take this seriously and take a close look at what Paul was really saying in Ephesians 5.
This is a sermon preached by Rev Margaret 8 years ago at Holy Trinity, Dulwich Hill, in Sydney, on the same passage as this week's sermon. Because this passage deserves serious study we have included both sermons. This one takes more time for in depth exegesis of Ephesians 5. Click here for a transcript with suggestions for further reading.
Talking about Holy communion while in lockdown gives us a unique opportunity to consider what is the symbol and what is the substance, and how do we make sure we keep the two fully integrated. This sermon is preached from home while in a deep lockdown in which Rev Margaret is not supposed to enter the church building.
How do you speak truth to power? Well, non-violent activists for 2,500 years have followed the lead of a prophet who was no doubt quaking in his books as he. TOLD A STORY ABOUT CRAZY RECKLESS LOVE. and a cold stone heart.
Do you remember the 90's Michael Douglas movie Falling Down? I guess most people don't, but the last scene stuck in my mind - where Michael Douglas is confronted just before he would have committed murder/suicide and he says "I'm the bad guy?" People don't usually set out to be the bad guy. They just blindly walk a path of privilege until it destroys the people around them. You think that's a modern observation? Nah. The authors of the Old Testament knew all about it.
How would you choose?
What a week this has been! Throughout Australia we have been starkly reminded that Covid has not gone away. Politicians have shown just how much a crisis can divide. We have each faced our individual tragedies and challenges. NAIDOC week is beginning. And in some ways these either make us wonder where God has gone - or confirm that God was never with us. So this week lets grieve with the people of Nazareth and then seek some deep wisdom for truly experiencing the presence of God who never left us. At the end I quote from national treasure and senior Australian of the Year, Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr. I encourage you to interact with her work for yourself and donate to her foundation: https://www.miriamrosefoundation.org.au/dadirri/
This sermon looks at how Jesus reverses the polarity of shame and empowers us to do the same. It would be helpful to read 2 Samuel 1 and Mark 5 first