Author Archives: Avril Hannah-Jones
Sermon: International, multicultural, multilingual communities
When Peter receives his vision and Paul is sent to the Gentiles, the church becomes an international, multicultural, multilingual community. Pentecost tells us that even before Gentiles were involved, the Jesus movement understood Judaism to be an international, multicultural, multilingual community. Continue reading
Sermon: Universalism means universal love
That light so lovely is God’s invitation to everyone, God’s intention for the whole world to experience justice and live in peace. Because we know that the grace of Jesus Christ is for all people, we also know that as Christians we cannot care only about those closest to us, only about those who look like us, only about those who share our race, our faith, or our nationality. Continue reading
“First they came …” the progressive Australian version
Now, as so many times before, they are coming for Palestinians, and when we speak up, we’re told that we’re antisemites who only pretend to care about genocide because we hate Jews.
To which we say, “Huh? Have you even met us?” Continue reading
Sermon: Building Jerusalem in Australia’s dry and dusty land
We live as citizens of the New Jerusalem when we work to make the world a better place. Knowing God’s ultimate intentions, we do not accept injustice, war, and poverty as just ‘the way things are.’ Knowing God’s universalism, we do not limit our compassion to our families, friends, and those like us, those of the same race, faith, or nationality. We are not afraid of speaking out, standing up, or even sitting down and refusing to be moved when those things are called of us. We know that even if we die, God wins. Continue reading
Sermon: The Book of Revelation – not that terrifying!
Despite the extravagance of its language, the revelation of this apocalypse, the interpretation of this prophecy, the situation that this letter addresses, was simple. John was writing to Christians living and working within the Roman Empire to tell them that as Christians they must resist the Roman imperial cult in which emperors were worshipped alongside other deities. Continue reading
Easter Sunday: Joining Mary Magdalene in joy and sorrow
Jesus has not yet ‘destroyed every ruler and every authority and power,’ and Mary Magdalene reminds us that grief in the face of death is proper, a measure of our love for the one who has died, or even a measure of our humanity, because to mourn is to be human. Continue reading
Sermon: Until warring powers cry ‘Enough!’
Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting Church ‘Palm’ Sunday, 13th of April, 2025 Luke 19:28-48 Today we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem for the Passover. Like pilgrims throughout time, Jesus’ disciples rejoice as they enter the holy city, praising God for … Continue reading
Sermon: Martha, Lazarus, and Mary
Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting Church Lent 5, 6th of April, 2025 John 12:1-8 ‘The chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If … Continue reading
Sermon: No, we are not unworthy
Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting ChurchLent 4, 30th of March, 2025 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Today’s reading from Paul’s Second Letter to the church at Corinth, or at least the second letter of his to the Corinthians that we have, is … Continue reading
Sermon: None of us is perfect – and that’s okay
Lent is a time when we are reminded that none of us is perfect. All of us fail and fall short; we always do, say, and do not do, things for which we need to repent. There is something soothing about knowing this: we do not need to pretend to be perfect. God knows that we are not. And despite every way in which we fail to live as the people God created us to be, God remains faithful. Continue reading
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