(Here is the Sermon preached by Fr Jim
at the St Paul’s ceremony last Sunday. It was a wonderful morning. Thanks everyone)
The Anglican Parish of Maryborough
Sermon preached by Fr Jim
4 September 2011
St Mary’s visits St Paul’s
Romans 13.1-10; Matthew 18.10-20
Saturday a week ago, my wife Marcia and I were in Canberra for
the first ever reunion of the theological college where I studied for
ordination in the mid 1970s. A special occasion, wonderful to be
able to be there. We were able to catch up with friends, relive old
memories, recall those with whom we had shared this special
formation time, and review the courses of our own lives. Some had
come through smiling; some had died; others had not been able to
stay the distance. A family reunion within the family of God.
During my time in theological college, we confronted each other in
some pretty forthright and challenging ways – but this is partly what
“formation” is about. And I remember my delight, one day in the
college library, in discovering one of Israel’s proverbs, which said it
all for me: “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of
another” [NRSV]; “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a
friend” [New Living].1 Not that it was always the clash of steel upon
steel, but that – thrown together by God’s peculiar calling, and
having no say in who might join our exclusive community - we were
good for each other … Exactly like the Christian Church!
Notice how relational today’s readings are. “Owe no one anything,
except to love one another.” “Take care that you do not despise
one of these little ones.” “If another member of the church sins
against you …” It is a happy coincidence that today is also Fathers’
Day, when we acknowledge that we are not self-sufficient and that
our fathers (and mothers) have shaped us for good or ill, and that
we are of their genes and share their temperaments; even as we
retain our individual identities and must assert ourselves against our
parents – in mature and appropriate ways - from time to time.
This all relates strongly to what we are doing together here today.
In the Reformation, the Church of England strongly asserted itself
against, and eventually separated from, the Catholic Church; each
side persecuted the other, depending on whether Catholic or
Protestant was on the throne; we each have our martyrs from that
period. Now, centuries later, we recognise our family ties in Christ
even though we now dwell in separate houses; we retain our
individual identities, but respect each other and have been working
towards being better sisters to each other.
Which is why Fr Paul and I are both delighted to reaffirm the
agreement we signed here two years ago … and I would like to say
again what a pleasure it is work alongside him and all of you,
Catholic and Anglican, in our shared witness to Christ’s gospel here
in Maryborough.
“As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend”. What are we
doing, to sharpen each other? Certainly, we do together whatever
we can which, sadly, does not extend to our being able to make
Eucharist together; Fr Paul & I preach in each other’s pulpits; we’ve
been able to join in special celebrations together, most recently
your 150th; we share Stations of the Cross on Good Friday; we
pray for each other, and it has been very heartening for me to
know that both St Mary’s and St Paul’s have been upholding my wife
Marcia in prayer.
My biggest regret, however, is that our Lenten studies didn’t quite
get off the ground … St Mary’s supported them better than St
Paul’s, but it all tapered off before Holy Week. Well, Fr Paul, we’ll
have to get our heads together on this one! It may just be that Lent
studies is not the best way forward, but perhaps a lengthier daytime
study program … we’ll see … but it’s important that over they
years, we not only keep the agreement alive but strengthen it. As
iron sharpens iron …
Our family ties are too strong to let it be otherwise. We are not
self-sufficient; we belong to Christ and through Christ to each other –
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
© the Revd James M McPherson
Maryborough Qld 4650
www.anglicanmaryborough.org.au
1 Proverbs 27.17.
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