Sermon given by the Very Reverend Charles Tyrrell

Nelson Cathedral

10 May 2009

6pm EP

 

The Beauty of Holiness

 

For a few moments this evening, I am going to look at the psalm appointed, number 96.   

 

The psalms are a treasure store of spiritual gems and they have inspired hymn writers, poets, theologians and ordinary people of faith like you and me for thousands of years.  Woe betide us if we ever forget this God-given resource. 

 

As I said, many hymn writers were inspired by the sentiments contained in the psalter.  For example, did you know that Isaac Watts the hymn-writer who died in 1748 may have been inspired by this evening’s psalm 96, when he wrote ‘Joy to the world, the Lord is come?  Where would we be without the hymns that help us on our spiritual journey, hymns that have something to say to each condition of life almost?  Let us value these resources else they are denied to us in the modern church.

 

There is so much in Psalm 96 that I could speak about but I have chosen verse 9 as my theme:

 

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,

Let the whole earth stand in awe of him.

If you think this is familiar to you then it may be because when I officiate at Evensong it is one of my favourite Bible verses with which to begin this timelessly beautiful service.  I wonder if St Augustine had those words in mind when he wrote at the conclusion of his rule for the monastic life this exhortation,

May the Lord grant that as lovers of the beauty of the spiritual life and breathing forth the sweet odour of Christ in the holiness of your ways you may faithfully observe these things, not like slaves under the law, but like freemen established under grace.

Are you a lover of the beauty of the spiritual life?  What do we mean by the expression ‘The beauty of holiness?’  Let’s think about it keeping our psalm in mind as we do.

 

To my way of thinking, worship is the most beautiful thing we men and women can do because love is the driving force and love is result of all worship.  By worship, yes I do mean gathering together with other people of faith in cathedrals and churches and chapels, but not exclusively.  If I do nothing else for the rest of my life but worship God, culminating in the Eucharist, the sacrament of grace that proves God’s love for me, then I will die a happy and fulfilled man.  But I see so much evidence of worship outside of places of consecrated ground that it reminds me that the whole earth is consecrated ground because Jesus has walked here. Thus God created this earth to be a place of worship and service, of justice and peace.

When I have the privilege of holding a new baby in my arms and gaze into her eyes, then I see God looking back at me, appealing to me to love and caress him with loving, indeed beautiful devotion.  When I hear children happily making their way to school with seemingly not a care in the world, then I am reminded that God’s Son also consecrated that time of life as a pupil, a learner. Jesus grew to be like his heavenly Father as well as following the spiritual leading of his earthly family and teachers.  When I visit someone who is ill and hold their hand, I remember how privileged I am because I take my authority for such deeply pastoral caring from the Good Shepherd himself, Jesus Christ.  And all these times are times of worship.  Holding a new life in my arms, celebrating a growing life full of potential and being with someone at a time of need are times of spiritual worship because God is there at the centre of it all.  Worshipping the Lord in the beauty of holiness sums it up well.

And so may we be inspired to ‘Sing unto the Lord a new song’ because each day life begins again for us without fear or guilt because we may be forgiven our faults and failings as  children of God.  ‘Tell of his salvation from day to day’ the psalmist is pleased to relate, and he is spot on.  None of us need ever go to sleep at night with spiritual guilt weighing us down because Christ has dealt with all of that at Calvary.  Let’s learn to be open to God so that the channels of beautiful worship may flow easily and profusely and by it we may be forgiven and restored. 

Being in the church we cannot ignore the fact that we are not alone on our spiritual walk of faith but do so in company with so many others.  Also, the world is full of more and more people, each one with a heart to be loved by God.  That’s why the psalmist declared, ‘Say among the nations, “The Lord is king!  The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.  He (the Lord) will judge the peoples with equity.”’  And as if to reassert that point, he says at the end of the psalm, ‘The Lord is coming to judge the earth.  He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.’

Is there any worship in judgement?  Good question. In my mind yes, let me explain.  We are all called upon to make judgements from time to time for one reason or another.  Which car shall I buy?  That’s a judgement.  Which person  am I drawn to enough to commit my life to them?  That’s a judgement.  Mr X, I find you guilty of such and such a crime.  That certainly is a judgement.  That’s good as far as it goes but when we apply this concept to God, we must remember that God’s judgements are always meted out with righteousness and never with vindictiveness.  Add to that the fact that in heavenly, spiritual terms, it’s as if when we are to be judged, Jesus says to his Father, “Look on me.  I died for this person willingly and have suffered the consequences of their sins.  The penalty has been paid.  Please forgive.”  That’s justice with righteousness and that is another cause to sing out a new song to the Lord.

I am going to stop there with that positive affirmation of God’s love for all his children.  And as the most recent translation of verse 9 has it,

“Everyone on earth, now tremble

and worship the LORD, majestic and holy.”

 

Or as we began,

 

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,

Let the whole earth stand in awe of him.

   

Amen.

  

The Reverend Yvonne McLean TSSF

 

Sermon by the Very Reverend Charles Tyrrell

Nelson Cathedral

17^th May 2009

8am & 10am HC

 

Abide in Me

           

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.”

 

As I began to think about my words to you today, I was saddened to receive the news of the death of a friend, the Bishop of Peterborough, Ian Cundy.  Ian taught me Christian doctrine at theological college and for that I will always be grateful.  Ian went on in his career in theological education and was eventually consecrated as suffragan (or assistant) bishop in the Chichester diocese before being appointed as bishop of Peterborough in 1996.  Elaine and I visited Ian and his wife Jo at their palace in 2006 and that visit will hold special memories for us for the rest of our lives.  For the following year we were sad to hear from our friends that Ian had developed an insidious form of cancer and it was the recurrence of that last week that brought his life to a premature end.  Well, premature in the sense that it was too early because he still had much to give in his leadership of the church. In all other senses Ian had lived a full and complete life, dedicated to his Lord and the Church in which he had been nurtured. 

                 

Ian knew that his life was approaching fulfilment, I am sure of it.  I read Ian’s address to his clergy on Maundy Thursday this year at the annual renewal of ordination and ministry vows.  His words can only be seen as prophetic, insightful, preparing his people for the fact that he would one day leave them.  It reminded me so much of the wisdom contained in Jesus’ discourse to his disciples, contained in St John’s gospel.  Not that Ian would ever give the same authority to his words with those of Jesus, but what he said demonstrated a depth of understanding because Jesus had walked that way before.  For example, Bishop Ian said to his clergy at the cathedral:

                            

‘As we have contemplated what it means to be a diocese inspired by God’s passion, building communities which are ‘releasing ministry’ it could have been a frustrating experience not to be able to play a full part in that process, and to have one’s own vocation apparently curtailed by the frailty of the body and the debilitating effects of chemotherapy. I say ‘apparently’ because it had reminded me that ministry is concerned with the dignity of being as well as the frenzy of spirit-filled activity.’

 

And in some words which will stay with me and challenge me to reflect about my own situation, Ian added this:

‘Last weekend I re-read the book that 25 years ago had a profound effect on my thinking about theology and ministry -  The Stature of Waiting. Although I have not read it frequently during those years its thesis has remained imprinted on my mind. The author, Canon Bill Vanstone, begins by considering the almost universal use in the gospels and in Paul of the Greek word paradosis – handing over.  Up to that point in Jesus’ life he has been the active initiator, now his fate is decided by others. Both the archetypal gospels, Mark and John, make it clear in different ways that now his ministry is passive – others take the initiative – and that in that change the full significance of his ‘passion’ is to be understood.’

 

This provided me with a remarkable insight.  In today’s world, even in today’s church, there is so much talk about goals and objectives and visioning and revisioning.  We seem to have become dominated by a new theology, the theology of successful organisational growth.  It’s an obsession that, in my view anyway, if not kept under control, can take away the inspiration provided by God, and make us think that it is we who can save the church.  We have the answers.  It is we who will become known as great builders of the church.  It is a temptation we need to resist.

 

I don’t regard myself as a strategist but neither am I the sort of person who just wants to coast along in the hope that in the end all will be well, in a haphazard way.  No.  In fact, saying that reminded me of Dame Julian of Norwich who declared very positively, “And all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”  She declared this in full knowledge that at the end of all things, God’s consummation would bring about healing, salvation and restoration to people of love.  Even that is no excuse either for over regimentation of our systems or the development of a laissez faire attitude to ministry.  The answer lies somewhere in between, as is so often does in the church.  This is something we need to consider together in the near future.

 

Before I bring my words to a conclusion, would you permit me just one more recourse to the words of my friend?  As he was concluding, Ian said,

 

‘There must be a footnote to what I have said – indeed it is more than a footnote; it is the foundation. To find human dignity in being the object, the patient; and to befriend one’s mortality can only be possible for me in a deep and transforming faith in the reality of God; the experience of resurrection and the spiritual and supportive community of the Church.’

 

‘Jesus Victim’ was transformed by the resurrection of God to ‘Jesus Victor’ not merely to provide a happy ending to the story but to indicate to us all the Way, the Truth and the Life which is ours through him.  We too can be victors: victors over the trials and pains of life; victors of the constant barrage of temptation which comes our way; victors over the evil and misinformed machinations of some others; victors in that one day we shall share paradise with Jesus, the risen Lord of the garden tomb. 

 

And now, Christ is making us ready to farewell him at his ascension.  As he said to his followers, “I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate^* will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”  This is the spirit in which we need to approach his pending departure.  So, do come and join us Ascension Day, this Thursday, as we release Jesus to his Father with the proviso that we shall continue his life changing, life enhancing ministry to the world, to this community, to this parish.  We shall do so not with slick systems in place, but open to the leading of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, we shall go forward as patients, those who are being led by the hand by others, responding to needs and wants of a broken people.

 

We do this because Christ is alive and reigns with the Father and the Spirit, one God, world without end.  Amen.      

 

Sermon by the Very Reverend Charles Tyrrell

Nelson Cathedral

17^th May 2009

8am & 10am HC

 

Abide in Me

           

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.”

 

As I began to think about my words to you today, I was saddened to receive the news of the death of a friend, the Bishop of Peterborough, Ian Cundy.  Ian taught me Christian doctrine at theological college and for that I will always be grateful.  Ian went on in his career in theological education and was eventually consecrated as suffragan (or assistant) bishop in the Chichester diocese before being appointed as bishop of Peterborough in 1996.  Elaine and I visited Ian and his wife Jo at their palace in 2006 and that visit will hold special memories for us for the rest of our lives.  For the following year we were sad to hear from our friends that Ian had developed an insidious form of cancer and it was the recurrence of that last week that brought his life to a premature end.  Well, premature in the sense that it was too early because he still had much to give in his leadership of the church. In all other senses Ian had lived a full and complete life, dedicated to his Lord and the Church in which he had been nurtured. 

                 

Ian knew that his life was approaching fulfilment, I am sure of it.  I read Ian’s address to his clergy on Maundy Thursday this year at the annual renewal of ordination and ministry vows.  His words can only be seen as prophetic, insightful, preparing his people for the fact that he would one day leave them.  It reminded me so much of the wisdom contained in Jesus’ discourse to his disciples, contained in St John’s gospel.  Not that Ian would ever give the same authority to his words with those of Jesus, but what he said demonstrated a depth of understanding because Jesus had walked that way before.  For example, Bishop Ian said to his clergy at the cathedral:

                            

‘As we have contemplated what it means to be a diocese inspired by God’s passion, building communities which are ‘releasing ministry’ it could have been a frustrating experience not to be able to play a full part in that process, and to have one’s own vocation apparently curtailed by the frailty of the body and the debilitating effects of chemotherapy. I say ‘apparently’ because it had reminded me that ministry is concerned with the dignity of being as well as the frenzy of spirit-filled activity.’

 

And in some words which will stay with me and challenge me to reflect about my own situation, Ian added this:

‘Last weekend I re-read the book that 25 years ago had a profound effect on my thinking about theology and ministry -  The Stature of Waiting. Although I have not read it frequently during those years its thesis has remained imprinted on my mind. The author, Canon Bill Vanstone, begins by considering the almost universal use in the gospels and in Paul of the Greek word paradosis – handing over.  Up to that point in Jesus’ life he has been the active initiator, now his fate is decided by others. Both the archetypal gospels, Mark and John, make it clear in different ways that now his ministry is passive – others take the initiative – and that in that change the full significance of his ‘passion’ is to be understood.’

 

This provided me with a remarkable insight.  In today’s world, even in today’s church, there is so much talk about goals and objectives and visioning and revisioning.  We seem to have become dominated by a new theology, the theology of successful organisational growth.  It’s an obsession that, in my view anyway, if not kept under control, can take away the inspiration provided by God, and make us think that it is we who can save the church.  We have the answers.  It is we who will become known as great builders of the church.  It is a temptation we need to resist.

 

I don’t regard myself as a strategist but neither am I the sort of person who just wants to coast along in the hope that in the end all will be well, in a haphazard way.  No.  In fact, saying that reminded me of Dame Julian of Norwich who declared very positively, “And all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”  She declared this in full knowledge that at the end of all things, God’s consummation would bring about healing, salvation and restoration to people of love.  Even that is no excuse either for over regimentation of our systems or the development of a laissez faire attitude to ministry.  The answer lies somewhere in between, as is so often does in the church.  This is something we need to consider together in the near future.

 

Before I bring my words to a conclusion, would you permit me just one more recourse to the words of my friend?  As he was concluding, Ian said,

 

‘There must be a footnote to what I have said – indeed it is more than a footnote; it is the foundation. To find human dignity in being the object, the patient; and to befriend one’s mortality can only be possible for me in a deep and transforming faith in the reality of God; the experience of resurrection and the spiritual and supportive community of the Church.’

 

‘Jesus Victim’ was transformed by the resurrection of God to ‘Jesus Victor’ not merely to provide a happy ending to the story but to indicate to us all the Way, the Truth and the Life which is ours through him.  We too can be victors: victors over the trials and pains of life; victors of the constant barrage of temptation which comes our way; victors over the evil and misinformed machinations of some others; victors in that one day we shall share paradise with Jesus, the risen Lord of the garden tomb. 

 

And now, Christ is making us ready to farewell him at his ascension.  As he said to his followers, “I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate^* will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”  This is the spirit in which we need to approach his pending departure.  So, do come and join us Ascension Day, this Thursday, as we release Jesus to his Father with the proviso that we shall continue his life changing, life enhancing ministry to the world, to this community, to this parish.  We shall do so not with slick systems in place, but open to the leading of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, we shall go forward as patients, those who are being led by the hand by others, responding to needs and wants of a broken people.

 

We do this because Christ is alive and reigns with the Father and the Spirit, one God, world without end.  Amen.