Simon Says ...

A Sermon for the Feast of the Hallowing of Derby Cathedral Jeremiah 7.1-11 ; Luke 19.1-10 Nothing befits the solemn festivities of the feast of the Hallowing of Derby Cathedral more than a quotation from one of the foremost theologians of our age.   So let me share this as a theological gift to mark this feast: “I may not know much about God, but we built a pretty nice cage for him”.   “I may not know much about God, but we built a pretty nice cage for him”. The theologian, for those who did not spot it, is Homer Simpson, patriarch and star of the long running animated family saga The Simpsons .   In one episode, Homer becomes a missionary in the South Pacific, and builds a chapel for the natives.   As the final piece of the chapel is put into its place, Homer says “I may not know much about God, but we built a pretty nice cage for him”. Jeremiah would, I think, have recognised the satire behind Homer Simpson’s theology. ...

Daniel 7.1-3,15-18 ; Ephesians 1.11-23 ; Luke 6.20-31 Let me begin by offering you greetings on our shared patronal festival Sunday from the Cathedral.   All Saints’ Sunday is a good time to be with you, and I want to assure you that the Cathedral prays for you regularly, and that you are in my prayers also. But let me take you to another church in the Diocese, in the village of Newton Solney.   I know it well, because each year for a week it is used for the pre-ordination retreat.   This is a time for those about to be ordained to spend time in prayer and preparation.   As I have sat in the church, I have spent some time looking at the stained glass windows.   They have been bleached by the sun, so that it has taken me some effort to work out the stories that they tell.   As I worked out what those stories are, it also occurred to me that the windows now tell a deeper story than they did when they were easy to understand. ...

Luke 7.36-8.3 Some words from the Gospel reading this morning:   Jesus ‘went on through cities and villages proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God.   The twelve were with him, as well as some women’. It’s a great pleasure to be with you this morning.   My thanks to Simon for his invitation, and to you all for your welcome.   I bring greetings to the Cathedral of the Peak from your Cathedral Church in Derby, where we pray for you regularly.   I’m here, I think, because one of the roles I have is as the Director of Curate Training in the Diocese.   So I have been involved with Sue, not least as she prepares to be ordained priest at the end of the month.   I want to say a few things this morning to help us all prepare for that new ministry.   At the end of the Gospel reading this morning we hear that Jesus ‘went on through cities and villages proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom...

A meditation for Vocations Sunday I heard the call a long time ago.   Not really sure when it began, but I just began to watch, to look out for where I might find him.   Once I realised I was doing it, I started to listen hard.   My name, Simeon, it means the one who listens.   So I would live up to my name.   I listened for God, and I asked him about this calling.   Was it for me? Why on earth me?   What was I to look for? A new prophet or a holy one?   And from somewhere the answer came – ‘I am calling you.   Look for the Messiah!’ I’ve looked for a long time – I wasn’t always this old – carefully checking and testing.   A few have claimed that they were the one.   But they weren’t.   But just sometimes, there was enough doubt in my mind to leave me confused.   This calling has been a challenge.   Not everyone likes me saying, ‘no, not them.’   And it’s puzzled me why I should be s...

--> A sermon for Advent Luke 12.35-40 --> Some words of Jesus from St Luke’s Gospel that we heard a few moments ago – ‘You must be ready.’   ‘You must be ready.’   Tonight, in the darkness we begin the process of getting ready for Christmas.   Getting ready is what Advent is for!   ‘You must be ready,’ says Jesus. And getting ready is what most of us are already involved in.   There are lists to be written, letters and cards to post, presents to wrap, decorations to be hung, food to buy and prepare.   There is an awful lot of getting ready that is going on around us, and in which we are all involved.   Most of this, at least, is good.   It is good to be organised, to send out love to friends and family, to give presents and to celebrate at Christmas.   But if that were what Advent is helping us to get ready, then it should have started at least a month ago, and the most organised of us (and this would never incl...