Category Archives: Sermons

Participating in the life and love of the Trinity

Posted on June 12, 2022 by Ian Black

Today is Trinity Sunday. It is one of those days when preachers tie themselves up in knots trying to define God and use all sorts of inadequate images of threefold states to try to explain how the Trinity is possible. … Continue reading →

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Holy Spirit: Disrupting fountain and well

Posted on June 5, 2022 by Ian Black

I don’t know if you watched the service from St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Friday. A number of things stood out for me. One was the young people challenging the congregation of leaders and diplomats, … Continue reading →

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Paschal Candle explained

Posted on May 8, 2022 by Ian Black

Every now and then people ask me about the meaning and significance of different signs and symbols in the Cathedral. I thought I’d spend a few moments this evening talking about the paschal candle which stands by the altar during … Continue reading →

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Story-tellers of the hope we have in Christ

Posted on May 8, 2022 by Ian Black

There’s a story I heard a little while ago about a shepherd. A man was walking in the hills and came across a shepherd looking after his sheep. He had his traditional stick with the crooked end. The man asked … Continue reading →

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Beware on Good Friday: God sides with the vulnerable

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Ian Black

Which words stood out for you as we read John’s account of the final moments of Jesus’ life – his trial before Pilate, condemnation and immediate crucifixion and burial? At the moment one phrase seems particularly relevant, Pilate’s question ‘what … Continue reading →

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Was the Vineyard Owner Non-Dom?

Posted on April 10, 2022 by Ian Black

Our second reading (Luke 20:9-19) gave us a wealthy landowner whose affairs appear to be complex. We are not told if he was resident in the hypothetical place the story is set, or whether he had non-domiciled status – his … Continue reading →

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Prayer of Manaesseh – people can change

Posted on March 27, 2022 by Ian Black

Our first reading came from one of those less visited and obscure corners of the Bible. It was The Prayer of Manasseh, which hides in the Apocrypha, a collection of books which many Bibles don’t include. The story of how … Continue reading →

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Why do bad things happen?

Posted on March 20, 2022 by Ian Black

Why do bad things happen? It’s a question that has taxed so many people for millennia. Some threads in the Bible will imply that it’s because we are punished for some misdemeanour. You could read some elements of our readings … Continue reading →

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Language of inclusion

Posted on March 13, 2022 by Ian Black

Language matters; how we speak and the terms we use to describe ourselves, others, and God. So, the language of our worship matters enormously. It sets the tone which in turn shapes us, especially for those of us who use … Continue reading →

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Canon Residentiary – Installation Sermon

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Ian Black

When I looked at the readings set for this evening, I thought, well I’m glad I don’t have to preach on those, especially at a welcoming for a new ministry. As the adage goes, be careful what you don’t wish … Continue reading →

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