Today we join the Christian world in celebrating Our Lady, Mary the Mother of the Lord. Mary’s place in the Gospel story is a special one. She not only responded to God’s word to her, but she literally let it become flesh in her flesh. Jesus was nurtured in her motherhood. Her relationship with him encompassed his conception and birth, his whole life, his death, and so of course she knew him risen as well.
Today we rejoice to see in her what we hope for in ourselves, a relationship with God that will live beyond all the worst and the best that this life can do with us, and that will abide in the profound enjoyment of God’s loving-kindness.In our Catholic tradition we like to make a fuss of the saints. In recent days we have kept the company, not only of Our Lady, but also of S. Dominic (d.1221), S. Clare of Assisi (d.1253), and the martyrs S. Lawrence (d.258) and S. Maximilian Kolbe (d.1941), and the middle class Victorians who made a difference, Florence Nightingale (d.1910) and Mary Sumner (d.1921). We celebrate the saints, and other holy men and women, because they are the living proof of what God does when people are able to live to the full in God’s love and mercy. Their lives show us that the Gospel really works, and bears real fruit that will last.
At the 10:00 am Mass we begin with a procession in which we carry the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham. We shall also baptise Phineas Alexander Williams, second son of Anselm and Suzy, and our fourth grandchild.
Today we are fortunate to welcome two visiting preachers. The preacher at 10:00 am is Canon Paul Dyer from Dunedin, who is conducting the current Parish Review. And at Evensong the preacher is the Revd Carlie Hannah, who is Vicar of New Brighton, and often joins us for Evensong.
Thank you to all who gathered on Saturday morning and took part in the review event. Your contributions will help to give us all a sense of where we are and where we need to go. It was good that the Archdeacon, Craufurd Murray, was able to join us for that event and represent the Diocese.
It could be said that we are entering a very dark age of the Church, but I hope that all of us at S. Michael’s will not be disheartened by the signs of that, but moved to appreciate even more, and to share generously, the gloriously transcendent and humane tones of the tradition that we are fortunate to enjoy. I hope that in the year ahead we may all continue to trust the Holy Spirit and offer ourselves to strengthen the faith and ministry of each other, and so build up the community of faith. S. Michael’s is a wonderful team of committed and able people. May we all be trusting of God and each other, and so build up the confidence of all. With a generous theology and spirituality, a strong worship life, and a willingness to take a responsible part in the events of the day, we can be a community that is a real and credible witness in this place.
May God bless you all.
Peter Williams
