Weekly for 23 July (St James, Apostle and Martyr: St Mary Magdalene)

Dear People of God

Grace and Peace to you all

This Sunday is being observed throughout the Diocese as Domestic and Family Abuse Awareness Sunday. Various information packages are available for people who wish to have relevant information about support services to hand.

It was disappointing last Sunday to have so few people in church at Beresfield. The cold weather with its seasonal colds, hospitalised children, various sinus and chest infections and so on cut a swathe through the ranks of regulars. Sometimes I think it might be easier when we are praying through the sick list in our Intercessions just to say “everyone in the region” rather than list the names of what often appears to be everyone in the region indeed!

One of the (many) things that concerns me is just how uninformed many people are about the liturgical life of the Anglican Church. Perhaps we take too much for granted and fail to appreciate the deep spiritual heritage in which we stand. I know that for some people the last time they were taught about some of this was when they went to Confirmation Classes at about 11! As I mentioned last week, I am writing a series of short studies on the seven sacraments which I will append to the weekly mailout. This week the subject is Confirmation. At the end of it I proposed to provide a series of questions for further discussion, which should form the basis of a study series. Watch this space!

Parish Council last week reviewed the continuing items on our regular agenda. As far as the physical business of the parish is concerned it has become apparent that there is a water leak somewhere in the system. The plumbers same in last Tuesday, dug lots of holes and found the leak underground between the church and the hall at Beresfield. It is handily located under a concrete slab which was part of the foundations laid for the connection which not built between the church and the hall. Apparently the concrete has subsided somewhat over the years, or has allowed some other corrosion, we don’t know which yet, which has damaged the water pipe. It means that a concrete cutting machine is required to access the damaged piece. Whatever the solution is, it will cost $$$. And just as we thought that we were pretty-well abreast of maintenance on the site!

If you go past the Beresford Ave front you may notice two things: the garden alongside the parking area has been pruned tidied (thanks Bob) and the garage has been painted and rust-proofed. It all looks much tidier. I know that we don’t fundamentally need buildings to worship (but I’d rather be inside than out on the open in winter or summer, thanks very much!) but we should look as though we take pride in our places: if we don’t, what sort of signal does it send?

A reminder that next week (30 July), being a fifth Sunday, there will be ONE SERVICE ONLY, at 9:30 at St Paul’s with morning tea to follow with the people from Tarro Uniting Church.

The Lord be with you

Fr George

0410 586 119 gmainprize@bigpond.com

Propers for the Day

Sentence

While we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh (2 Cor 4:11)

Collect for St James

O gracious God, whose apostle James left his father and all that he had, and without delay obeyed the call of your Son, Jesus Christ: pour out upon the leaders of your Church that same spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people, through Jesus Christ or Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Collect for St Mary Magdalene

Almighty God, whose Son called Mary Magdalene to be a witness of his resurrection: mercifully grant that by your grace we may be forgiven and healed, and may know the power of your Son’s risen life: who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Readings

Jeremiah 45 A word of comfort to Baruch

Psalm 126 A song of restoration

Acts 11:27-12:3 James killed and Peter imprisoned

Matthew 20:20-28 The request of the mother of James and John

Sermon (Fr George)

In the name of God, Amen

We have one of those curious episodes in the Gospel that underlines for us just how human the apostolic band was. The gospels variously tell us that the Apostles were not averse to squabbling amongst themselves as to who was the greatest and most deserving of the places of honour in the Kingdom. Matthew puts it a little less directly, and has the direct request coming from the mother of James and John.

There is a tradition that the mother of the brothers was Salome, one of the women who stood at the foot of the cross and who was a close relative of Mary the Blessed Mother. She might well have been “Aunty Sal” to Jesus and she was asking Jesus to give his cousins a good seat in the Kingdom. Whether this tradition is correct or not it certainly puts the apostolic band firmly in the middle of human aspiration and weakness!

Today we celebrate, if that’s the right word, two people who are particularly close to Jesus. James and Mary Magdalene.

Let’s deal with James first. He is often known as “James the Great” to distinguish him from “James the Less”, not that it implies any particular status difference as might have been the case had they been known as “Big James” and “Little Jimmy”, and certainly there grew a substantial cult following for James the brother of John, one of the two “Sons of Thunder”. In the late years leading up to the Middle Ages when the cult of relics of the saints was a thriving business, alleged relics of James found their way to Compostella, in Spain, which subsequently became a major site of pilgrimage even today when many people walk the Camino di Compostella to the Shrine of Santiago, “Iago” being the Spanish name for James. The cost of discipleship for James was high, and brought him to martyrdom, as today’s Gospel tells us. Herod, being about as popular as the proverbial “something on the bottom of my shoe” wants to keep the crowds at bay and decides to sacrifice James and imprison Peter as an act of political expedience.

Discipleship can be very costly indeed. James might well have ducked for cover but the apostolic band was high profile and did not shrink from proclaiming the Resurrection in the face of opposition from the religious and political hierarchy. How hard is it for modern Christians in , say, Iran, Northern Nigeria, Pakistan or any other place where the climate is hostile to Christianity? Do we have it too easy here and does that lead to indifference if not exactly fatal hostility?

Mary Magdalene is chosen to the “Apostle of the Resurrection”. Peter and John have run to the tomb at reports of the body of Jesus being removed from the tomb. Mary stays. The fact that she initially fails to recognise Jesus (would you, in the same situation?) and then wants to resume the old relationship says much about her humanity. Jesus, as you will recall from the Gospel, says “don’t hold on to me”, in effect saying “I’m not the same as you understood me to be earlier: here is the new reality. Now go and tell the others.”

You may have seen the cartoon of Mary and the other women being addressed by the male apostles, saying “Thanks for bringing this to our notice, ladies. You can leave it all to us, now”. She is model for women. I don’t think that she and the other women were going to take a back seat and leave it all to the blokes and indeed the continuing story of the spread of the Gospel relies heavily on the support and overall ministry of women. It has ever been thus.

So thank God for James and for Mary Magdalene and pray for a renewed outpouring of the Spirit that enabled them to be the people they were called to be, in order that we too might continue to grow in our calling.

The Lord be with you.

Intercessions

Let us pray for the preservation of the earth

That we may lay seriously to heart the need for urgent change in the way in which we treat the planet and for a determination to ensure that what we leave to our descendants will be a habitable world

We give thanks for the beauty and abundance of the earth. Give us and all peoples grace to live in harmony with your creation, wisdom and generosity in our use of its bounty.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.

Let us pray for peace and shared prosperity

For the leaders of this land in parliaments, industry and community development, and especially for those who strive for justice and equity in the financial management of our society. For the people of Ukraine, Syria, the Land of Holy One, and all places of oppression and violence

We give thanks for leaders who serve the common good. Give wisdom to those who have responsibility and authority in every land, that we may share with justice the resources of the world and work together in trust.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.

Let us pray for our nation

For true reconciliation between the First Peoples of this land and those who have settled here over the years; for mutual respect and dignity in the debate over the Voice to Parliament

We give thanks for this land and the diversity of its peoples. Grant that we may so honour one another that all may be enriched by our common heritage and freed from despair, poverty and exclusion

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the Church and its mission

That we may be drawn together our boundaries of religious separation that together we may proclaim the faith of Jesus Christ; for the Anglican Church throughout the world, especially for Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church of Wales and the Church of England; our prayers are also sought for the Diocese of Aipo Rongo and the whole Province of Papua-New Guinea after a serious traffic accident which killed or seriously injured the leaders of that diocese; in Australia we pray for the Diocese of Grafton; and in this Diocese for Bishop Peter and for Sonia and Charlie, Bishops Assisting for Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, and the Parishes of Eastlakes (Belmont/Belmont North, Redhead, Windale) and Cardiff-Boolaroo; for grace and peace of this parish and for our clergy George and Gail, our Readers and Welcomers; for our fellow Christians of St David’s Presbyterian parish; and for all churches celebrating their Patronal Festival at this time.

We give thanks for the good news of salvation for all people. Strengthen us for our work in the world, empower your Church to proclaim the gospel in service, word and sacrament. Unite in the truth all who confess your name, that we may live together in love to your glory,

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.

Let us pray for ourselves and our community

For the businesses of this community and in our cycle for the Beresfield Public School, Food for Less, and Newcastle City Council

We give thanks for the fellowship of the communities in which we live and work. We commend to your keeping ourselves and each other, our families, those with whom we work and learn, our neighbours and our friends. Enable us by your Spirit to live in love for you and for one another.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.

Let us pray for those in need.

For all people struggling with domestic violence and abuse, both victim and perpetrator:

For the bereaved; for families dealing with separation and alienation; for the sick, especially those for whom we pray by name: Jenny, Indi, Barbara D, Val Frazer, Lynn, Betty, Les, Jill, Ann, Daphne, Bruce, Debbie M, Samuel, John J, Merv T, Nicole M, Jenny H, Didi, Margaret, Peter McC, Susan, Elizabeth, Dawn A, Heidi, Wendy F, Peter, Peter, Vicki L, Jenny M, Val D, Ben, Keith, Sammy Jo and Noah, Derek, Zoe, Janet R, Paul and Katrina H, Levi, Arlo, Grace, Michael, Roslyn, Lisa, Peggy, Fr Colin; those who will seek Holy Unction at today’s services; those who are known to us and those who are known to you alone. We give thanks for your healing blessing for Bob S

We give thanks that you are the God who brings mercy and wholeness. Comfort and heal, we pray, all who are in sorrow, need, sickness or any other trouble. Give to those who care for them wisdom, patience and gentleness, and to us all, your peace.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.

Let us give thanks for the faithful departed

For those who have recently died; for those who year’s mind falls at this time, Betty Gibbs, Gwenneth Downey, Jack Binderman, Lloyd Appleby, and Colin Foster; for those whom we have loved and see no more; and for our fellowship with Mary the Blessed Mother, your saints James and Mary Magdalene and Martha and Mary of Bethany, and our Patrons Paul and Michael and for that great fellowship of your saints and holy people in their several generations

We give you thanks for your servants every age. Grant that we, with all your saints, may be brought to a joyful resurrection and the fulfilment of your kingdom.

Holy God, you have promised to hear our prayers, grant that what we have asked in faith we may by your grace, receive, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Saints and Commemorations of the Week (23-29 July)

25 James, Apostle and Martyr

26 Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary whilst no mentioned by name in the canonical Gospels, the parents of the Blessed Virgin were known as Joachim and Anna. The readiness of the Blessed Virgin Mary to respond to the Annunciation testifies to her upbringing by devoted parents

29 Mary and Martha of Bethany together with their brother Lazarus they were close friends of Jesus and obviously provided a convenient “bolt hole” for Jesus when he needed a break. The traditional picture of “busy Martha and listening Mary” is a great example of a balance between action and contemplation which should be an inspiration for each one of us.

SACRAMENTS: CONFIRMATION

What happens in Confirmation which has not already happened in Baptism? The “outward and visible sign” being the laying-on of a hand by the bishop, the “inward and spiritual grace” is what? A renewed gift of the Spirit? Or an “adult-sized dose” of the same? And what difference does it make to have a bishop perform the rite, rather than a priest or deacon? People joining the Anglican Church from non-episcopal traditions, where they have been communicant members, may be “Received into Communicant Membership”. Practice across the episcopal churches varies considerably, and even with the Anglican tradition there is a wide variety.

The Orthodox Churches practice infant Baptism, accompanied by Chrismation, which they regard as the “gifting of the Holy Spirit”. If an adult, having been validly baptised in another tradition, wishes to join the Orthodox Church, they receive the Sacrament of Chrismation after an extended period of instruction.

Western practice, i.e. the Roman Catholic and other Episcopal traditions, practised the “Laying on of Hands' ' which was associated with the gift of the Spirit. The Scriptures recount how, when the Apostles encountered converts who had been baptised but had not “received the Spirit”, they laid hands on them with prayer to receive the fullness of the Christian faith.

Anglican tradition has, at a minimum, presentation to the Bishop who lays a hand on each one of them with the prayer “Strengthen, Lord, you servant name with your Holy Spirit” and may add “Empower and sustain him/her for your service”. In the catholic spectrum of our tradition, which is the norm in this diocese, the Bishop may anoint them with the Oil of Chrism, which is an oil infused with balsam, consecrated by the Bishop at the annual Oils Mass together with the Oil Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick (more about those later). Note that the Bishop lays “a hand” on the candidate’s head, not “hands”. This makes a clear distinction from the laying-in of hands (plural) in ordination.

The gifting of the Holy Spirit, or re-invigoration, is clearly implied in our rites, whether or not Chrismation is practised.

Baptism, as we saw last week, is incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church. When an infant or person of “tender years” is baptised their sponsors undertake to ensure that they are instructed in the faith and that they will be “brought to the bishop to be confirmed” when they are of years of discretion. Like the Jewish Bar Mitzvah and the Moslem rite of transition, it presents the transition to adulthood in the faith, where a person undertakes responsibility for their own growth in faith. It is perhaps a sad reflection on the state of Western Christianity that this is observed more in the breach! In various other cultures Baptism and Confirmation are events engaging the whole community: in some traditional areas the candidates assemble on one side of a river and enter the stream, where they are immersed in water and baptised, clothed in white and emerge on the other side of the stream to where the bishop is seated, waiting to confirm each one of them. The occasion would be accompanied by much celebration b the whole community. First Nations communities in Australia also practice rites of initiation where young men and women are taken apart (separately) to be taught the “Secret Mens’/ Womens’ Business” and undergo some ritual marking, thus becoming full members of the community.

I can see no real argument to exclude unconfirmed people from Communion. In Baptism one is either incorporated into Christ, made a “member of Christ, a child of God and an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven”, or one is not. And therefore, if a Member of Christ, admission to the central sacrament of the Church, should follow.