Living a privileged life – and abusing that privilege

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Avril Hannah-Jones

This morning I took two small children to child care. They hadn’t known that the person coming from church to collect them from their house would be me, and so I was greeted with exuberant bouncing. Their mother asked: ‘Are you a bit excited because Avril’s going to take you?’ and they eagerly agreed. Apparently driving with me in my funny car (which doesn’t have back doors so getting into the back seat means crawling over the front seat) and getting to talk to me all the way was extremely exciting. And me driving past the child care centre, so we had to go up round the round-about and come back, was very humorous. Continue reading →

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Sermon: Following in the fisherman’s footsteps

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Avril Hannah-Jones

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Sermon for Williamstown

The Third Sunday of Easter, 14th of April 2013

John 21:1-19

Whenever you feel downhearted or discouraged at your performance as a follower of Jesus, think of Peter, the rock on whom Jesus built the Christian church. Peter is quite possibly the most encouraging biblical role model Christians can have. The gospels tell us many stories of people who met Jesus, repented, and changed their lives around: tax collectors and prostitutes; the Samaritan woman at the well and the short-in-stature Zacchaeus. But possibly no one committed to Jesus as completely; betrayed him so utterly; and was forgiven by him so abundantly as the Apostle Peter. Continue reading →

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Speaking ill of the dead?

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Avril Hannah-Jones

Margaret Thatcher has died of a stroke at the age of 87. She was a human being, made in the image of God; a mother, grandmother and friend who is now being mourned by those who loved her.

She was also a world leader who gave her name to a particularly regressive economic system. ‘Thatcherism’, together with ‘Reaganomics’, influenced Australia in the guise of ‘Economic Rationalism’. As a minister in a Church that continues to try to pick up the pieces of the lives shattered by these philosophies (and even in wealthy, healthy Australia there are such lives) it’s hard to hear Thatcher eulogised as a great statesperson. Under her leadership the gap between rich and poor grew and so for the poor (and those who are required by God to care for them) her leadership was a failure.

On the other hand, she was only one person, and she has been out of power for decades. The British can’t blame her as the onlie begetter of the social inequality within which they live, any more than we in Australia can blame everything on John Howard/Peter Costello. We all need to take some responsibility.

But as a second-generation Australian with relatives on the west coast of Scotland, who heard from them about the impact of the Poll Tax, I can understand why there are people dancing in Glasgow today. I wouldn’t do it myself, but then she only affected me from a distance and at second or third-hand.

According to the BBC Thatcher “will not have a state funeral but will be accorded the same status as Princess Diana and the Queen Mother. The ceremony, with full military honours, will take place at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral.” Given the pomp and ceremony with which she’ll be buried, it’s possible that Thatcher’s failings will be glossed over by the sentimentality accorded the illustrious dead. It’s important that this not happen. This is a time when ‘speaking ill of the dead’ is a historical necessity. Image

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Reflection: The Good News according to Luke

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Avril Hannah-Jones

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I’m not really preaching a sermon tomorrow. Instead I’m just retelling the story. Sometimes I think that the simple story is all that we need to hear.

Sermon for Williamstown

Easter Sunday, the 31st of March 2013

Luke 24:1-12

Isaiah 65:17-25

Some two thousand years’ ago, a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went back to the towns their families had come from to be registered. The Romans were in power. What they demanded, happened. Even if meant a young couple travelling while the woman was heavily pregnant. Even if it meant that she gave birth far from home. After all, the Romans ruled the world. Continue reading →

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Sermon: You will always have the poor with you

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Avril Hannah-Jones

Sermon for Williamstown

5th Sunday of Lent, 17th of March 2013

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John 12:1-8

There are some things that I wish Jesus hadn’t said or, at least, that I wish the evangelists had explained more fully when quoting him. John, chapter 12, verse 8a – ‘You always have the poor with you’ is one of those sayings. One of the things that my brother does to get me really annoyed is to quote this half-verse; and depending how I’m feeling I either respond by saying ‘that phrase needs to be read in context’, or by throwing something at him. Usually something soft, I hasten to add. Read out of context, it’s a dangerous verse! Jesus was quoting from Deuteronomy, where the people of Israel are instructed: ‘Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, “Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbour in your land.”’[1]  In that context, it is advice on how we should respond to the poor – with open hands. In today’s context, in the story of the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany, it has nothing to do with how to treat the poor and everything to do with the new thing that God is about to do in Jesus – the extravagant love of God that will be seen in Jesus’ rapidly approaching death and resurrection. Continue reading →

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