St George's Cathedral, Cape Town

A sermon preached by the Very Reverend Rowan Smith in the Cathedral Church of St George the Martyr on 28 June 2009

"For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8 v 9)

It has been quite amazing to listen to the radio, watch the TV or read the newspaper since the announcement on Friday past of the death of the singer, Michael Jackson. The reaction from around the world in e.g. London and Bucharest on the part of Jackson fans, has come close that which we observed when Princess Diana was killed in the motor accident – an outpouring of emotion towards someone they may never have met in person. I heard on the radio that there is to be a "Memorial Service" in one of the nightclubs here in Cape Town on Wednesday 1 July. One wonders if some of this grief, expressed in public, is shown towards someone close in their own family. This is not to make any comment on the life and music of Michael Jackson but rather to raise the question about our sense of values today and the power of the media in manipulating our emotions.

The Old Testament reading for today, 2 Samuel 6 v 1 – 15, depicts different emotions on the part of King David when he tried to bring back the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. First he is depicted expressing joy: "David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the Lord with all their might." v 5

What a wonderful picture of worship, but then when Uzziah was struck down for touching the Ark to steady it:

"David was angry because the Lord had burst forth with an outburst upon Uzziah ..." v 8

And I wondered if we are ever so open before God that we too can express our anger when it appears to us that God is uncaring? We need to discern what is appropriate but we must never lose sight of this fact in our approach to God:

"For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ that for our sakes he became poor ..."

When one considers the emotional response of so many to the death of a pop star and our seeming indifference to the plight of those who are refugees or, as we are asked to consider today, the victims of torture, we have to question the values of our world. And that is precisely our task as Christians, to live out the gospel of Christ which turns the whole world upside down. St Paul, in writing to Christians in Corinth is urging them to be generous in their voluntary giving to the needs of the Church. St Paul appeals to their love and reminds them that this response is with respect to the generous, overflowing, unfathomable love of God. As one of our well-loved hymns puts it:

"O generous love! that he, who smote
in Man for man the foe,
the double agony in Man,
for man should undergo." (AMR 185)

We are moved to give generously because we have already received generously this amazing love of God.

"that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor so that by his poverty (you) might become rich."

Can you imagine someone of great wealth making this their aim and purpose in life? Just look at what is happening in our present day government where political power is used to create personal wealth. It reminded me of one of my favourite books – 'Hope for Flowers", let me read a short section for you: p 27

"No more fellow caterpillars on Stripe's pile – they became only threats and obstacles which he turned into steps and opportunities. This single-minded approach really helped and Stripe felt he was getting much higher. But some days it seemed he could manage only to keep his place. It was especially then that an anxious shadow nagged inside. "What's at the top?" it whispered. "Where are we going?" Yes what is on top and where are we also going?

And l thought how much more challenging it is to be a Christian, to be motivated by love and the desire to become poor so that we might enrich the life of another. And St Paul reminds them and us that God's provision never fails and he takes them back to the Exodus, when their ancestors wandered through the desert:

"The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little, did not have too little." v 15

The challenge is to live by faith in this generous God who comes to bring us healing and new life. Jesus wants to bring us new life and not to listen to those who mock and scoff:

"Talitha cum" Mark 5 v 41b

Jesus calls us to get up from our fear of the future and here in this Eucharist today, like the woman who believed that even touching his garment, would bring her healing, we now touch his Body and we are made whole: Thus Jesus says to you and to me

"go in peace, and be healed." v 34

Back to Sermons page

Mission and Vision | Services | Music | Ministries| History | Glass | Tour | Staff
Cathedral Friends | Publications | Links | Site Map | Home