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Author Archives: Avril Hannah-Jones
Opposing Christian Nationalism: Embracing Jesus’ Reign
The reflection emphasizes the significance of Christ’s reign amidst modern authoritarianism, drawing from biblical teachings to stress that Jesus’ kingship is rooted in love, compassion, and humility rather than power or violence. It calls Christians to embody this kingdom spirit, rejecting coercion and embracing inclusivity, as they navigate contemporary challenges. Continue reading
Endings and Beginnings: Embracing Kairos in Troubling Times
This reflection for North Balwyn Uniting Church emphasizes the themes of life’s uncertainty and the assurance of eventual justice through apocalyptic literature. It draws parallels between the biblical narratives of Hannah and the teachings of Jesus in Mark, highlighting the need for faith and hope amidst personal and communal struggles. The message transcends human fragility, urging believers to celebrate God’s presence and intentions for peace. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, apocalypse, Apocalyptic, death, Hannah, Little Apocalypse, Mark 13:1-8, Year of Mark
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When God Seems Absent: Finding Hope in the Book of Ruth
The reflection discusses the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz, emphasizing their loyalty and actions that defy societal norms to aid Naomi. Despite Naomi’s questionable intentions, Ruth’s bravery and Boaz’s kindness exemplify the importance of hesed and the transformative power of compassion, illustrating how they ultimately contribute to Israel’s legacy. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Boaz, Book of Ruth, crossing boundaries, foreigners, God's absence, God's presence, hesed, loving-kindness, rule-breaking, Ruth, Ruth and Naomi, Year of Mark
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The Legacy of Ruth: Challenging Prejudice in Scripture
The reflection discusses the author’s genetic heritage and its connection to interfaith marriages in biblical narratives, particularly in the Book of Ruth. It emphasizes Ruth’s extraordinary loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi, challenging cultural prejudices of marriage and foreignness. The text encourages embracing inclusivity and love amidst prejudice, reflecting Jesus’ teachings. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Book of Ruth, DNA, genetic heritage, interfaith marriages, Israel, Moab, prejudice in the Bible, religious prejudice, Ruth 1:1-18, Ruth and Naomi, Year of Mark
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Reflection: Genocide and the Crucified God
In Jesus we see the God who is willing to serve, to suffer and die for humanity. As we watch innocents suffer and die, as we feel helpless in the face of evil, the one thing of which we can be certain is that the God revealed in Jesus is suffering and dying with them. They are not alone. Continue reading
Sermon: Mark 10:17-31 and the Challenge of Wealth
Sadly, there is no evidence that there ever was a narrow gate in the walls of Jerusalem known as the Eye of the Needle, and no evidence of this interpretation of the passage until the ninth century. Nor does it help us to change one letter in the Greek word and turn a camel into a rope. This is not a saying about a camel trying to get through a gate or a rope being threaded through a needle. It is a saying about a camel trying to get through the eye of a needle, which is impossible. That is the point. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged eternal life, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31, Poverty, The Little Gate, wealth, Year of Mark
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What does a good life look like? Reflection on James 3:1-12
We can do nothing about the misuse of Christianity in the USA. But here in our small corner of the world, in our small church, we can seek to live lives drawing on the wisdom from above that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. Continue reading
The Power and Danger of Speech: Insights from James 3:1-12
The lie that Haitian immigrants are eating pets could be seen as funny. That is the way many people have taken it, you can already order t-shirts with Trump’s quote on them, although it is less funny when we think about the anti-immigrant hatred that prompts such lies. A much more dangerous lie, a lie that we know has sparked a fire, is the lie that Hamas beheaded forty Israeli babies on October 7, 2023. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Apostle Paul, Book of Proverbs, Donald Trump, Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiasticus, Gaza, James 3:1-12, Jonathan Swift, language, Letter of James, lies, misinformation, October 7, speech, truth, wisdom, wisdom literature
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The Importance of Faith in Action: Reflection on James 2:1-10, 14-17
In Greco-Roman culture honour was to be given to the rich and powerful. Our culture is the same. We too place praise and reward the rich, while ignoring the poor or blaming them for their poverty. There is a reason that the media recently reported on Gina Rinehart’s opinions about the curriculum taught in Australian schools and it is not because Ms Rinehart has any particular qualifications or expertise in education. Continue reading
Living the Word: Reflection on James 1:17-27
Over the next few weeks James is going to give us lots of advice. Scholars say that in the 108 verses and five chapters of this letter there are at least fifty commands. Some we will find easy; some difficult. I, for instance, am good at sharing what I have with the poor and dreadful at keeping my tongue still. You will have your own strengths and weaknesses. But James is absolutely certain that we can be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive ourselves, because our generous God has given us every perfect gift. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Eusebius, faith and works, good works, James 1:17-27, James the brother of Jesus, Letter of James
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