The Reverend Canon Dr. Ray Cleary – Sermon for the Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 19th November 2017

Sunday 19 November 2017

Matthew 25: 14-30

Let me begin with a confession and what I am about to say may surprise you. But be careful about a quick judgement.

I know that at times I can be a jealous person. Jealous of another person’s talents, gifts and abilities.

I am jealous of people who seem to be able to loose weight without any difficulties while I slave over it time and time again, with only minimal success.

I am jealous at times when I see another person fix or repair something that may take me two days? They have gifts and talents I lack. Sometimes I find myself envious of the skills and achievements of others and even feel a failure.

Are you jealous or envious of the rich and famous –the celebrities who seem to have it all? Do you get not so much as jealous but annoyed at those in our community who seem to have no scruples or morality when it comes to issues that affect our community life? {I am sure that non of us would fall into any of these categories.} Would you like to be an accomplished organist like Roger or an AFL star footballer, or the perfect husband or wife. I suspect we all have our little secrets. I certainly do. We are at times regretful even jealous and envious that we do not have talents or gifts of others.

Jesus in today’s Gospel as in last weeks and again in next weeks reading is aware of the context in which those who were his followers and others lived their lives. He was aware of the contradictions, differences, and attitudes of those who exercised religious and political power. He was aware of how unhappy they were of his teaching and expectations. I suspect not too much different from today.

Matthew’s Jesus was aware of the plight of many including slaves, women, outsiders and those without any sense of concern for the other. He also knew about the jealousy of his disciples at times and their indifference to others. Jesus was aware that we all have not bee given the same talents but was not concerned about the differences but rather how we used what has been given to us .

The question posed for us today in the Gospel is, “How do we live our lives in the world of today with all its contradictions with the knowledge, gifts and talents, using them for the benefit of not only ourselves but others?

In today’s gospel we have the reverse of indifference and jealousy. Instead we are to be encouragers. We are to be delighted, inspirational, excited and enriched by the different gifts and talents we have all been given and to use them in a constructive way to build heaven on earth God’s kingdom. We are not to hide them under a bushel or be envious of others with different gifts.

This Gospel reading is part of the great discourse of Jesus prior to his death. It projects the future in a worldview that reflects the language and imagery of the Jewish apocalyptic framework. Much of it makes little sense to us on a first reading- therefore we need to delve below the surface as we say. Non of us are comfortable with judgement, the second theme in today’s readings and even more pointed in next weeks Gospel, the account of the Sheep and the Goats, although we are too often willing to judge others.

Over the past few Sundays the readings we have heard from Matthew emphasise a number of points required of discipleship:

Namely:

-! Faithfulness. We are called to be faithful to God not to be successful as the world suggests. We are called to be faithful and regular in our prayer and worship life. As we gear up for Advent and the season of Christmas consider joining the faithful on Wednesday morning when I am planning to lead a 5-7 minutes segment about Mark’s Gospel the centre of our readings in 2018.

-2. Being prepared. How are your plans going for mission and outreach at Christmas. Have you thought about inviting and bringing Grandchildren to the 6pm service on Christmas Eve? Encourage them to dress up. How about inviting family and friends to the Carol Service on the 17th December or the Midnight Mass

-3. Generosity. Lets support the Christmas Bowl with renewed enthusiasm. Come along to share a meal on the 9th December and bring a small gift for Anglicare.

-4 Good stewardship. We are called to be good stewards of the resources given to us personally and as a community. Our Buildings suggest we are all aware of this commitment here at St George’s. How may we use the other resources we have for mission and outreach?

Each of the Gospel readings we have read over the past few weeks are told as I have said in the context of the lead up to Palm Sunday, during a time when the religious and political leaders of the day were a “little unhappy with him”.

Last week we dealt with the Parable of Wise and Foolish virgins. This week with hear the Parable of the talents. “In the parable of the 10 bridesmaids, the foolish young women thought the task was easier than it turned out to be, in the parable of the talents, the wicked servant thinks it harder than it turns out to be and afraid of using what has been given. ”

Today’s Gospel is found only in Matthew. It is similar to the parable of the Ten Pounds, found in Luke 19: 11-27. The difference is that in Luke the servants of God have one task, they are given the same talent to live out the faith. In Matthew they are given different talents, and they are expected to live out their lives according to the talents given. Jesus affirms those who use their talents wisely, and condemns those who do nothing. But is there something strange about the parable? It seems to chastise the poor and affirm the rich, opposite to all Jesus has been saying and teaching. No, the point is not about wealth as money but rather the richness we can all gain by using whatever has been given to us, not for ourselves but for others. Remember the story of the widow’s penny?

As always Jesus surprises and troubles us when he speaks as we do not expect him to. Here he subverts the established order, both politically and inside the Temple that spends time and energy looking after itself and defending self-righteousness and ignoring the plight of the other.

Today’s question for us: How do we use our talents to create and imagine a future to work in partnership with God to create God’s kingdom? What are the barriers or obstacles we need to break through to enable this to happen? Perhaps it is – prejudice

– fear

– self interest

– greed

– laziness

I know mine.

Brendon Byrne, Jesuit Theologian says:

“The gifts God has entrusted to us, our mind, limbs need active exercise if they are not to atrophy and wither.

The second reading from 1 Thess. 5: 1-6, coheres with this in the sense that believers as ‘people of the day, who should be up and about, watchful and active, rather than asleep’, as in the night.

Amen

Richard McKinney Memorial Advent Lectures

Richard McKinney Memorial Advent Lectures

Lecture 2

Rev. Greg Pietsch

Bishop Emeritus Vic/Tas District

Lutheran Church of Australia

The Australian Lutheran/Roman Catholic Dialogues: The Ministry of Oversight – a worked example of Reformation differences moving in mutual understanding

November 21st 8 pm

St Georges Anglican Church

46 Warncliffe Rd, East Ivanhoe

Lecture 3

Rev Dr Robert Gribben

Professor Emeritus of Worship and Mission of the Uniting Church

 

The impact of the Reformation in England – and beyond Nonconformity

November 28th 8pm

Mother of God catholic Church

63 Wilfred St., East Ivanhoe

Locum Letter – Ray Cleary

Two weeks from today and we conclude the Church’s liturgical year and then on the 3rd December we begin the season of Advent. Already we are being encouraged to shop at Target, Myer, David Jones, Harvey Norman to name a few of the retailers who have already bought their Christmas stock for our consumption.

In my own family we have in recent years decided to push back on the commercialization of Christmas by drawing names out of a hat and choosing just one person each to buy a gift for although there is a little cheating that goes on for the grandchildren. Others of us have decided to donate to our favourite charity what we may have in the past spent on gifts. The focus for our very diverse family at Christmas is yes to celebrate the coming of God among us but also the possibility that human life gives us in so many ways to care for the earth and to share its resources in harmony with the whole of creation.

In today’s Gospel as last week we are reminded of predictions about possible consequences for each of us that are presented in a way that challenges each of us to reflect critically on life style and attitudes. End of the world talk, the threat of nuclear war has recently resurfaced, fueled by fear and anxiety. This can lead us to withdraw, remain silent, ignore or to respond to such threats with hope and the promise to be found in God.

We do not know how the world will end, although some of us are fearful of the stupidity of others. The Christian belief is that the end will be a consummation not a catastrophe with God bringing his loving purposes for creation to fulfillment and in the meantime we are to live our lives in faith, trust and hope. We all have gifts and as Christians are called to use the God given talents for the benefit of not only ourselves but the whole of creation

Shalom

Ray

Archdeacon Ray McInnes – Sermon 12th November 2017

Ed. We express our thanks to Fr. McInnes for making this sermon text available.

St George’s East Ivanhoe

Sunday 12th November 2017

8am and 10am

Our readings this week have changed direction – like the ancient Church the Advent themes come ahead of the four weeks before Christmas – instead the end of the Church year focuses on what we call eschatology or the end times.

Clearly St Paul and many in the early church expected a Parousia or second coming of the Lord in their own time. Paul was one of them and in the section of the second reading he addresses that problem – many disciples had been preparing themselves for the Lord’s return – but they had died – what will now happen to them?

This is probably why the gospel parable about the ten bridesmaids was so popular in the early Church – for it too addresses the matter of the coming of the bridegroom in glory, again the theme is about being prepared.

In the first lesson, we are taken back to the days of the conquest of the promised land by Joshua and his supporters. In battle, there is no room for the half–hearted. Joshua’s great speech calls his men to decision time “choose you this day whom you will serve – as for me and my family we will serve the living God”.

So today we are being asked to think spiritually about how prepared are we for the present and all that lies ahead of us – even death.

I was a boy scout for a few years (decades ago) and I am grateful for my time at 7th Northcote, St James Thornbury troop. Our motto in scouting was (of course) “be prepared”. Lord Baden Powell has inspired people all over the world for a long time, in this regard but I believe Jesus’ parable and today’s message asks of us an even deeper array of questions.

It has always struck me as a little bizarre that in Jesus’ story the bridegroom is running so late for his wedding – what could he be doing? There is no mention of the bride and the reception in the end begins at midnight – some 5 bridesmaids being prepared and 5 not so prepared.

Clearly, this is a very different cultural event to Australia in the 21st Century. I have been involved in many weddings – this does not seem consistent with my experience. Sure, bridesmaids can get distracted and delayed – goodness knows why? Even bridegrooms have their troubles – like the one who thought the best man was picking up the suits and now the hire place was shut! Oops!

Obviously, in Jesus’ culture a wedding beginning at midnight is no problem – what would be a problem is a lack of light and the bridesmaids’ wisdom is proportional to their readiness in this regard. Jesus is saying that faith can’t be turned on as it were with the flick of a switch (or oil in a lamp) and that wise preparation takes time – faith is not a commodity that can be shared in an instant – it takes time and effort.

I am reminded of a couple of conversations I have had out in the hustings – visiting people on the parish roll. “I don’t need to go to Church Vicar” said one lady “my uncle was an Archdeacon”. “Really!” said I – and “I’m sorry to disappoint you, his faith (whatever it was) was not transferrable.” Shock horror. Or on another occasion the person who announced “I don’t need to go to Church Vicar – because I don’t sin!” “Really!” said I. “If that is so you are completely correct however, I suspect that – you might like to look at that analysis a bit more closely!”

Being spiritually prepared, having our lamps ready and oil to keep them going is an old-fashioned metaphor but it does ask of us, what are we doing prayerfully to respond to the challenge. Who will you serve? There is a spiritual battle before us and as Paul reminded the Ephesians – put on the whole armour of God. He drew on the image of the Roman soldier – we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, the powers, the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Having done all to stand with –

‘your loins girded with truth, with the breastplate of righteousness, your feet shod with the gospel of peace, above all taking the shield of faith with which to quench the arrows of the evil one, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.’

Pray at all times, keep alert, persevere, make supplication to the saints.

It’s a great image and although I’m more pacifist, than militant – nevertheless it does remind us of the reality of evil in the world and in our own lives – if we are real and honest with ourselves – unlike those parishioners of mine.

In a few short weeks we will be in Advent proper and for 2 Sundays the dominant message of “be prepared” will return – this time the central figure is John the Baptist.

Prepare the way of the Lord – make his paths straight. Christians know that our lives require of us both a corporate and personal response to all Jesus has done for us. We take seriously that we are good citizens, of the highest integrity and morality, that we value justice and mercy – so the battle to be Christlike and ever ready for Christ to come is one that calls us outwardly and inwardly.

It is easy to be distracted – the early Christians were very aware that in Christ they were new creatures. Because of that they seem to have been acutely aware and focussed on letting their light shine in the dark places. Perhaps we have lost that drive, energy and focus. Time has dulled a sense of urgency and we find ourselves drifting.

Our influence and our vocation is 24-7 and is highly valued at work, among friends and the family.

Today’s message is as important in 2017 as ever. Keep alert, be spiritually prepared and take up the necessary array of spiritual defences and equipment for our unique journey.