Tag Archives: Hope
Sermon: Death and Life
The funeral service used to contain the reminder that ‘in the midst of life we are in death,’ which apparently comes from a battle song by tenth-century monk Notker the Stammerer and, while that might strike our twenty-first-century ears as morbid, it is simply a fact. If we accept that, today’s reading can offer us comfort. Continue reading
Sermon: The Peaceable Kingdom
How can we look at everything that is happening around us, the homes and livelihoods destroyed by what is usually God’s good gift of water, the thousands of people who have died of covid19 in Australia and the millions who have died around the world, and say that God cares about creation? The author that we know as ‘Third’ Isaiah, from whom today’s reading from the Hebrew Scriptures comes, had the same challenge. The description of God’s holy mountain as a place where all creation is renewed seems completely unrealistic. But there was nothing fanciful in what Isaiah was doing. Continue reading
Sermon: God’s priorities, according to the Prophet Jeremiah
It would take a great deal of faith to hold on to that hope while sitting in the ruins of Jerusalem, or while in exile in Babylon, just as much faith as it takes us to hold on to the hope of God’s justice when we look at the world around us. It is much easier to hold on to this hope in community than to try to do it alone and here in Australia, despite anything politicians or the media might say, we do have the great privilege of being able to meet together for worship and to share the words of God with each other. So let us encourage each other in our persistence, as we pray without losing heart. Amen. Continue reading
Sermon: Hope in a time of pandemic
As we realise our vulnerability, we are offered reassurance. When we are tempted to despair, we are given hope. Continue reading
Sermon: Life and death and Lazarus
It is a story about death and darkness and mourning; about life and light and rejoicing; and so it is an almost uncannily suitable story for us to hear during this pandemic, as the world faces the prospect of thousands upon thousands of deaths from COVID19. Continue reading
Reflection: For Bill
We are gathered here to commend Bill to God, certain that God will receive him with love. Continue reading
Sermon: Christmas Day
Let’s remember those ‘copping the hypocrisy, racism and hate’; those abused by church leaders; LGBTIQ teachers and students at religious schools. Let’s remember that in each one of these people we see Jesus’ face. Continue reading
Sermon: Hope Sunday
The creation story speaks of light and order and life not because it is ignoring the reality of darkness and chaos and death but in response to it. Continue reading
Reflection: Why I support Marriage Equality
today silence feels like cowardice. And if me being open about who I am can help even one young person feel better about who they are, then it’s worth it Continue reading
Sermon: Not just an idle tale!
Has Jesus’ resurrection initiated that world of peace and justice, or are we just repeating an idle tale? Continue reading
Rev Doc Geek 