Diocesan News17 Mar 11

Extracts from sermon to be preached in Down Cathedral by The Rt Revd Norman Hamilton, Moderator of The Presbyterian Church, on St Patrick's Day 2011

Presbyterian Moderator will say our commitment to proper social cohesion should not fall off the Christian agenda

In his St Patrick’s Day address at Down Cathedral Dr Hamilton will explore the Biblical imperative “to seek and promote the welfare of others… especially people who are not like us,” and encourage the active building of relationships across the community.

He will begin by saying that, “This is a very big political issue, but it is also a big Bible issue and a big gospel issue.”

Reminding us that love for God and our neighbour is at the core of Jesus’ teaching, Dr Hamilton will continue, saying:
 
“So our commitment to proper social cohesion, proper integration of those who feel left out or who are on the margins, and sharing of community and social life, lies NOT in our being do-gooders, or in a middle class tea and cucumber mentality – but in our faithfulness to Jesus teaching and the clear direction of the Scriptures.  That is why it matters.  So we are not going to let the need for it to fall off our Christian agenda, whatever the political climate may be or the economic agenda priorities.  To say it again – it is a Biblical imperative to seek and promote the welfare of others… especially people who are not like us.”  

Turning to St Patrick and his famous Confession Dr Hamilton will conclude that:

“Christian integrity matters – a lot. It is not simply enough to know what to do / say / think – but it has to be backed up by very careful attention to godly living.  

“I want to suggest here this morning, that one expression of godly living is in fact our commitment to good relationships across whatever divides there are in our community.”    

Dr Hamilton will finish by saying:

“So today, as we continue to celebrate the memory of St Patrick in this cathedral and in this town, can we move away from thinking of snakes and various shades of green to this one big Scriptural theme of the active building of relationships across this community – indeed this island - in the name of and for the honour of Jesus Christ – doing it with integrity and courage and tenacity – and looking forward with Patrick to what he himself saw as God’s glorious reward.”

Please click here to download the sermon as a PDF.