Sermon

1st February  26

Those of you who were here last Sunday know that I dashed off as soon as the service was over.  I went to a lunch at St Mark’s Church in Bromley.  Their interregnum is about to end after nearly 18 months, and they wanted to thank those of us who have led services there during that period.  I hadn’t been to St Mark’s since I went into hospital in June but, even so, I had still conducted ten services there during the first half of their interregnum.

So, there we were, 5 or 6 of us, all retired, all living in Bromley College, all in our 70s (indeed I was the youngest of the group!).  We were being thanked for all that we had done to maintain regular Sunday services in the absence of a Parish Priest.  I’ve taken many services in many different Churches of many different liturgical traditions and, whereas most have been grateful, that’s the first time I’ve been given lunch.  Although, in all fairness, I was once taken out for breakfast between services at St Mary’s Hayes, and I always came back from St Michael’s Beckenham with a bottle of wine for my Sunday lunch!  

We live in a world where the voice of the elderly is so often ignored; where those who speak of inter-generational fairness, tell us that we have had more than our fair share of national resources; where some London Councils want to restrict our use of free public transport; and where some members of Parliament would have us put down supposedly on the pretence of ending our sufferings here on earth.

It seems to me that the Church is one of the few places where, instead of being viewed as a burden on the rest of society, the wisdom and experience of the elderly is still valued.  Although, in all fairness, there is a similar respect for age in most other religions.

Today’s gospel is set in the Jerusalem Temple, in the presence of the old priest Simeon, and the elderly Anna.  They must have seen thousands of couples bringing their 40-day old babies to be presented in the temple.  Yet they were able to discern that this baby was different, indeed unique.  

For Simeon, here is the promised Messiah and, having seen that the future is now assured, he can finally embrace death.  For Anna, now in her mid-80s, all that for which she had long fasted and prayed, is revealed in the one who would redeem Jerusalem.  Despite their advanced years, their long service in the Temple and their patience are rewarded, as they are enabled to recognise Jesus for who he is. 

Of course, the Church above all needs the energy and enthusiasm of younger members.  It must have those who are still young enough to discern how it must better serve modern society.  But there is still, thank God, a place to respect and value those who, in the eyes of so many in our society, are past it!!

Amen