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Reading
Joel 2.1-2, 12-17

&nbsp;2&nbsp; Blow the trumpet in Zion;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord&nbsp; is coming, it is near-

&nbsp;2&nbsp;&nbsp; a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come.

&nbsp;12&nbsp;&nbsp; Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

&nbsp;13 rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.

&nbsp;14&nbsp;&nbsp; Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain-offering and a drink-offering for the Lord, your God?

&nbsp;15&nbsp;&nbsp; Blow the trumpet in Zion;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly;

&nbsp;16 gather the people. Sanctify the congregation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy.

&nbsp;17&nbsp;&nbsp; Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; “Where is their God?”&nbsp; ’

&nbsp;Gospel
Matthew 6.1-6, 16-21

&nbsp;6&nbsp; ‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2&nbsp;&nbsp; ‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

&nbsp;3&nbsp; But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

&nbsp;4&nbsp; so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

5&nbsp;&nbsp; ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

&nbsp;6&nbsp; But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

16&nbsp;&nbsp; ‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

&nbsp;17&nbsp; But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,

&nbsp;18&nbsp; so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

19&nbsp;&nbsp; ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal;

&nbsp;20&nbsp; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

&nbsp;21&nbsp; For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

&nbsp;

Ash Wednesday homily

It might feel on hearing these two readings that they are in conflict with each other. Our first reading from Joel is encouraging the people to sound the trumpet sanctify a fast and call an assembly. Yet in our gospel reading we have Jesus encouraging people to fast and give alms in secret. What our readings are helping us understand is that fasting and the imposition of ashes are a great way of showing our faith to those who have no faith, but Jesus is giving us a warning not to make our fasting or outward giving a competition and so taking away the focus of these acts, which should be on God.

&nbsp;

Our reading from Joel is set at a time during and after Jerusalem’s destruction. It would have been a really difficult period and many of the Israelites turned away from God because they felt abandoned. Yet the Prophet Joel is encouraging the people to turn back to God despite the darkness and destruction happening all around them and that the only way that the darkness could be overcome, is through God.

Throughout the Old Testament we read how various people would use ash as a way of showing sorrow. Stories about someone dying or being hurt, people will put on sackcloth and sit in ashes as an outward sign that they were grieving. It isn’t clear when this custom translated into putting ashes in the shape of the cross on people’s foreheads, but it is thought to have originated during the papacy of Gregory the great between 590 and 604. By 1091 it had become a universal custom in the Western church.
This act of showing sorrow is quite unusual in Western society today. I think we’re so focused on showing our happy or good selves that it’s difficult to feel comfortable showing the times when we’re not feeling good. However, I think we are getting better at accepting that we have both good and bad days and times in our lives. I was offering pastoral support to someone recently, and they said that when someone is walking by and says how are you, they wanted to have the courage to say, actually I’m not doing that great at the moment.

Just showing our good side to the world is exhausting because it means suppressing our true selves. It also puts pressure on others around us to do the same and so continues this monotonous cycle of only showing our perfect selves.

It's a bit like what Jesus is saying in our gospel reading from Matthew. Jesus is drawing out some negative examples from both Jewish and gentile communities of people who are just showing their good side. People who are all about showing what a strong faith they have for the benefit of people around them rather than for God. Jesus then goes further by condemning the custom of covering the face with ash, which was an outward sign of someone fasting because they were sad and says that we should put oil on our faces so that we look healthy.

&nbsp;

It’s interesting therefore that this gospel reading is used on a day when we put a cross of ashes on our foreheads for all to see! Doesn’t this feel a bit like we're showing off!?


Well originally the use of crosses in ash on the foreheads of Christians denoted those who were wanting to be reconciled to their community for a sin they had committed. It was up to the surrounding community to pray for that person to be reconciled and to feel sorrow for them. I really like that idea of a community coming together to pray for someone who is struggling. It's not about saying woah is me, feel sorry for me, it's about showing others that we need help and a community stepping up to being alongside those in need.
The cross of ashes doesn’t show off how faithful we are, it reminds us how sinful we are and by each of us having the cross of ash it shows each of us that we are all equally sinful and all equally need to pray for each other and for ourselves. &nbsp;

We are a community of sinners who are striving to be Christ like, but we can only do that by praying for each other and helping each other. Not by showing off how pious or faithful we are, but by showing our true selves with all our flaws and accepting ourselves with those flaws. Jesus intervenes for us so that we can have a way of coming back to our communities even when we are sinful. We don’t need to sacrifice a bull or sacrifice our own life when we do something wrong. Jesus is there to pick us up from our brokenness and say you are still loved, you don’t have to show your perfect face today. The cross of ash on our foreheads reminds us that it is ok to not be perfect, God sees all the good and all the bad that we do but still loves us.

As we begin this time of Lent let us pray for each other, for ourselves and for the sins we have committed. Let us sit with our sorrow and then give thanks for the coming of Jesus Christ who breaks the bonds of sin.
Amen

St Mary Church, Banbury

Reading

Joel 2.1-2, 12-17

2 Blow the trumpet in Zion;

sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near-

2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick dar...

Ash Wednesday homily 2025

Sermon Sunday 12th January 2025 Epiphany Baptism of Christ
Isaiah 43. 1-7 do not fear, I have called you by name you are mine

Pslam 29

Acts 8 14-17

Luke 3. 15-17, 21-22 baptism of Christ

&nbsp;Epiphany is the season of revelation. It is a time when the lectionary provides us with readings from scripture which reveal who Jesus is and what God’s relationship is with his people. These readings throughout this season, are providing a foundation for us to better understand our faith. I wonder if through this season of revelation, this might be a good time to think what God is revealing to us about our own relationship with God.
In our reading from Isaiah the Israelites or more specifically the tribe of Judah, have been in captivity in Babylon, but now they have been released from that captivity and brought home from exile. Their subjugation had been the result of their lack of faith in God. They had not been maintaining their relationship with God through prayer and worship, which resulted in their downfall. Yet God doesn’t give up on them and they are redeemed. Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name you are mine. God is making it clear that they are his people no matter what, even if they make mistakes, God does not give up. Yet the next line is interesting. It says, ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned.’ God is alongside us through good times and bad, but it is clear that we have to go through hard times. Although God assures us if we trust in him the fire will not burn us, we still have to go through the fire metaphorically speaking. I think this is helpful to hold on to because so often people think believing in God protects us from the fire happening, when belief and developing a relationship with God gives us the strength not to be burned up in the flames. When we pray; when we take time to listen to what God is saying to us through scripture and through our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are better able to discern what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. What might God be calling you to do?

In our reading from Acts we have an interesting story about the Samaritans welcoming the message of Jesus and being baptised in his name, yet it is not until Peter and John go and pray and lay hands on the people that the Holy Sprit comes upon the Samaritans. As we know the Samaritans are descendants of the Israelites of the northern Kingdom and have been in conflict with the Jewish people for centuries. So, for the Samaritans to not only be welcomed into the church, but also have the Holy Spirit came upon them, is a big statement about the early church or this Jesus movement. I have called you by name you are mine. All people, all nations are included in this call from God. We are all called, we just need to open our eyes and our ears to the message of the gospels. What is God calling us too?

This morning’s Gospel passage was Luke’s version of Jesus’ baptism, the moment when Jesus starts his official ministry. It’s quite a different interpretation of Jesus’ baptism than the other gospels. It describes Jesus being baptised along with other people, rather than on his own. ‘Now when all the people were baptised, and when Jesus also had been baptised and was praying, the heaven was opened.’ Luke had talked previously about John the Baptist being imprisoned, so it isn’t even clear that he was baptised by John. What is similar in this version and in Matthew and Mark’s is the opening of the heavens and the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus. What’s interesting in Luke’s version is that it doesn’t happen dramatically after he emerges from the waters, but actually while he was praying. It’s as if Jesus, through prayer, is talking to the Father and the heavens open and the Father responds. The Father is confirming to Jesus that he is on the path that he has chosen for him. The Father is affirming Jesus’ sense that he is being called. Now I’m pretty sure the heavens will not open before you if God is calling you towards some kind of ministry, but as you develop a relationship with God, you will have moments where something will happen and you will come to realise that it is God working through the Holy Spirit to point you in the direction of the path that God has set before you.

As a vocation's advisor for the Diocese, I talk to people about their sense of calling, usually more specifically around a particular ministry. I hear many people talk about the things they have seen or experienced that made them realise that the Holy Spirit was alongside them, showing them what God was asking of them.

I know the language of vocation can be a bit off putting for some – we talk about the gift of all vocations, but often the church is really thinking about these as steps on the way to particular recognised forms of ministry. It’s important to state clearly that God calls us to many ways of serving – and just like Paul’s the body of Christ image in 1 Cor 12 – all parts of the body are not only necessary but vital.

People can also be put off by the idea of vocation because it can sometimes sound like a onetime done deal – God calls you to this or that role or means of service – that’s you done, get on with it.

You might be thinking, but I wanted to be a nurse not teacher, or I wanted to sing in the choir not be a church warden. Well, maybe we should think of vocation as something that gets renewed, refreshed, something that can change and develop. And maybe that’s true of ordained ministries too. Ministers also sometimes feel fixed up and set on a path that makes them feel they have to be the finished article from the beginning to the end of their ministry. My vocation has changed, and will still change, and I need you to help me discern that. So don’t think of vocation as tying you down – think of it as what God is calling you to now, what fits with the gifts God has given you and the potential you don’t necessarily see.

As disciples of Christ, all of us have a calling to be part of a Christian community and offer our gifts to the community in different ways. We cannot be Christians without a community around us, worshipping together, praying together, and helping each other to discern the work of the Holy Spirit and the coming of the Kingdom of God.

So, as we continue through epiphany let us all keep our eyes and ears open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our community and consider what God might be calling us to.

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.

Amen.

Sermon Sunday 12th January 2025 Epiphany Baptism of Christ

Isaiah 43. 1-7 do not fear, I have called you by name you are mine

Pslam 29

Acts 8 14-17

Luke 3. 15-17, 21-22 baptism of Christ

Epiphany is the season of revelation. It is a time when...

Sermon Sunday 12th January Epiphany Baptism of Christ

Collect for Black History Month&nbsp;
Compassionate God,

who sent Jesus Christ

to deliver us from all manner of injustices and inequalities,

create in us new hearts and enlarged visions,

to see the image of God in every person

irrespective of background, race and ethnicity.

May we be generous in our love of others

as we work towards ending misunderstanding, racism and injustice;

creating communities of human flourishing,

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen
Readings
Ephesians 1.1-10
Gospel

Luke 11.47-endSermon

In our gospel reading Jesus is reminding the Jewish leaders that prophets tell us things that we don’t often want to hear. It is as true today as it was during Jesus’ time and even before the time of Jesus. Prophets challenge our beliefs and make us face the realities of life that we do not want to face. Thinking about prophets made me think of the gay and trans activist Marsha P Johnson. She was born on 24th August 1945 in New Jersey, assigned male at birth, Johnson grew up in an African American working class Christian family. She attended Mount Texan African Methodist Episcopal church as a child and remained a practicing Christian for the rest of her life. From an early age she enjoyed wearing clothes made for women and felt that this expressed the person that she was. However, bullying and harassment meant that she was not able to wear the clothes that she wanted. As soon as she finished high school at 16 years old, she moved to New York and began dressing as a women full time and adopted the name Marsha P Johnson, the P stood for “Pay It No Mind,’ which was a phrase that became her motto. She described herself as a gay person, a transvestite, and a drag queen and used she/her pronouns; the term transgender only became commonly used after her death. As a gay man who dressed as a woman she experienced a lot of persecution, not just from society at large but even from the Lesbian, gay and bisexual community. LGB people were persecuted daily in New York State and their activities and presence were often criminalise, which is why some gay people would not want to engage with Marsha as it drew more attention to them. Despite this she was determined and always advocated for the LGBTQ community whenever she could. She became a prominent speaker for the rights of all LGBTQ people and was part of the first Pride Parade that took place in 1970. She said in an interview in 1972, that she wanted to see gay people liberated and free and to have equal rights that other people have in America. Like the prophets, Marsha faced much hatred and abuse for the rest of her life, speaking out against inequality and the persecution faced by her gay brothers and sisters. Johnson’s body was found in the Hudson River on 6th July 1992. To this day it not clear what lead to her death.

As a Christian community we are still struggling to fully accept the LGBTQIA+ community. However, the prophets who share their stories aren’t going away. They are among us sharing their stories of suffering at the hands of other Christian’s. They are among us asking for God’s love and not understanding why we are denying it. God brings prophets to the people to challenge the people. When God sees we are not listening to his call, the prophets come to help us hear his message. Even in the face of persecution.

I believe the Living in Love and Faith process that the Church of England created is a stepping stone to listening to the word of God. It might not be perfect but within it are stories and reflections that encourage us to have conversations that we might find difficult. All I would ask us to do is to be open to listening to the stories of people on the margins like Marsha. Listen and empathise with their life and experience and appreciate they are created by God equally to us. Remember that Jesus’ arms of love on the cross were open wide for all, ready to gather all things from heaven and all things from earth.

Amen

Collect for Black History Month

Compassionate God,

who sent Jesus Christ

to deliver us from all manner of injustices and inequalities,

create in us new hearts and enlarged visions,

to see the image of God in every person

irrespective of back...

Black History Month sermon 17th October 2024

Readings 
Reading Galatians 3.1-5
Gospel Luke 11.5-13
Sermon

Over the past three years during Black History month I share stories of black people who have contributed to society. However, today I wanted to give some context into understanding why it is important for everyone to not only reflect and share these stories, but to also speak out against racism.

In June 2020 the Church of England’s House of Bishops commissioned a taskforce to investigate institutional racism within the Church of England and implement significant cultural and structural change on issues of racial justice within the Church of England. This report is called Lament to Action and can be found on the Church of England website. The House of Bishops stated that for the church to be a credible voice in calling for change across the world, we must now ensure that apologies and lament are accompanied by swift actions leading to real change.

You might be wondering why as an institution we have anything to apologise for. To be honest there are lots of things that as an institution we need to apologise for, but this morning I wanted to bring to your attention that for the last 40 years or so, the Church of England has commissioned 25 reports relating to racial justice, which have been presented to General Synod (our governing body) starting with Faith in the City which was published in 1985. What has become apparent when looking back at the last 40 years of reports is that pretty much none of the recommendations that these twenty-five reports have offered to General Synod over the last 40 years have been implemented. Many of the recommendations that the new report provide are ones which have been recommended again and again and again. Something needs to change, and that change is the responsibility of all of us as a Christian community.

Sharing black people’s stories is not just the job of black people, it needs to be everyone’s job. It is one of the reasons for Black History month, to encourage everybody to share these stories. If you consider yourself to not be racist, it is not enough to not say racist things, that’s the minimum that people who consider themselves as not racist should be doing. If you believe you are not racist, then you should be challenging people who say racist things, you should be questioning the systems that are unjust and unbiased towards people of colour. It shouldn’t be the job of people of colour to convince white people to help them have a more equal place in society.

If your brother or sister of colour asks you for a fish, will you give a snake instead? The Church has for too long ignored the knock at the door of the friend asking for bread. As an institution we have been safely tucked up in bed with our children and not willing to open the door. Yet Jesus says, ask and it will be given, knock and the door will be open to you. In the story it is clear that having to get out of bed and get those loaves of bread is inconvenient, there is a personal sacrifice that is made. The same is true if we want to bring real change to this institution, change that brings real justice, not just for black people but actually for everyone. Enabling equality opens up a world of change for everyone in the long run because, For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. &nbsp;

It is time to open the door and share the bread we have.

&nbsp;

Amen

Readings

Reading Galatians 3.1-5

Gospel Luke 11.5-13

Sermon

Over the past three years during Black History month I share stories of black people who have contributed to society. However, today I wanted to give some context into understanding w...

Ash Wednesday homily 2025

Sermon Sunday 12th January Epiphany Baptism of Christ

Black History Month sermon 17th October 2024

Black History Month sermon 10th October 2024