Crayle Sermon 2012

The Crayle Sermon this year was given on Sunday 5th February by the Revd Andrew Corsie

He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up.

Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

I am honoured and privileged to be invited to offer the Crayle Service sermon. Thank you for the invitation.

The context to the gospel reading we have just heard is one Ann and Sarah Crayle would have been familiar with: Jesus expressing the love of God in reaching out to those in need – a theme also understood by all those who, down the years, have remembered the Crayle Sisters on this Sunday – and on their behalf, and at their instruction, ensured that provision is made for the poor. Acts of charity are commendable in a world of so much selfishness. The Big Society – whatever that means – suggests that we all can be involved in caring for our neighbours and taking responsibility for the provision for various needs. What I have not heard from this project is the invitation to enter the political arena and raise debate about how we create a better society and world.

The gospel of Mark describes several miracles as being by-products of Jesus' actual mission: to proclaim ‘the message ... for that is what I came out to do’. Nowhere in Mark's gospel does Jesus claim that his ministry is about miracles; nor does he heal someone without being asked or approached. Instead, Mark describes Jesus' primary mission – ‘proclaiming the message in their synagogues’ – followed by its effects: healing, the hungry fed. Jesus' healing of Simon's mother-in-law is a beautiful example of how the message and the miracle fit together.

After leaving the synagogue, Jesus is asked to help the woman: ‘He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up.’ Jesus raises her physically, but also symbolically, restoring her to wholeness. The word in the original language speaks about resurrection – to be lifted up / stand up / rise up – rich in overtones of the Easter theme. It speaks of dying to the old and rising in order to experience something new – new life and a new order – given by Jesus as a citizen of his kingdom.

It is interesting to note how many times in the gospels, when Jesus reaches out to women, he calls them to rise up. Men on the other hand, often, are called down. Think of the story of Zaccheus for example, called down by Jesus from the sycamore tree. The message and the action speak of the righting of relationships in the kingdom that Jesus is to bring about. Please note the statement when after experiencing a return to full health, and a rightful place in the community. In response, she enters the new order – putting message into practice – when it says she ‘immediately began to serve.’ I am sure the feminist within each of us is alarmed to hear that. How typical that no sooner is the woman of the house well enough, then all the men expect her to feed them! Well, we need to return to the original language, and to ‘serve’ speaks of the ministry of Jesus. In other words – in a deeply patriarchal society – she is placing herself in direct equality with the men. She also is able to assume similarity with the active work of Jesus himself – the one who, he tells us, came not to be served, but to serve. Same original word. Here we have a woman not bowing to cultural convention and keeping in her restricted place as a servant; this is a disciple in her own right who lovingly demonstrates the high honour of service for others. Jesus encourages this.

It is crucial to the work of the kingdom of God, brought into existence by Jesus, that not only are the sick healed, the outcast brought into fellowship, oppressive relationships transformed, but that the words and the actions convey the same message. In other words, right at the beginning Jesus is identifying himself with healthy relationships in the community as well as healthy bodies. In that way his action and message are deeply political. Mark is recording this story because he is serving notice that patriarchal theology and the devaluation of people, in this example women, will be overturned. I do acknowledge that in the Christian Church we are still grappling with that reality!

However in the kingdom that Jesus is concerned with the activity and the message convey the same message of love in action: working with individuals, transforming the society. Can I applaud the work of the various charities in Acton that do so much to alleviate the conditions and circumstances of those in need. Indeed, can I commend all that takes place here in this church, especially your involvement with people who fall into difficulty and find themselves on the street. The rising up I witness each time I visit on Tuesday afternoons as particular individuals are brought to life through various artistic projects is a delight to see – in some cases rediscovering hidden skills. Ann and Sarah Crayle, I know, would nod their agreement. Your participation in the work of the Ealing Churches Winter Night Shelter, and the help offered to those referred to it, has done much to alleviate the suffering of people who are homeless this winter.

But our actions need to be matched by the message, and the service we offer needs to be concerned about the righting of relationships in the community and society as well. Archbishop Oscar Romero, that great champion for the release of the poor from oppression, once said: ‘When I help the poor they call me a saint – when I ask why the poor are hungry, they call me a communist.’ For example, if we are to support those without a home to call their own, we also need to ask why is it that this is so!

I am deeply grateful to Ann and Sarah Crayle for their legacy of an annual service that invites us to reflect on relationships within our society and the need for transformation. If the Big Society project is to have meaning, it needs to take in the example we receive from today's gospel – that whatever we do in service for our neighbour, it must be matched by a passion for justice and right living.

He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up.

Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.