Mary’s Song, known as the Magnificat and it is offered as the Psalm in our Lectionary.  Swelling with new life by the power of the Spirit, and affirmed by her kinswoman, Mary sings the Magnificat, a hymn of praise joyfully proclaiming God’s grace-filled, compassion and mercy at the advent or birthing, the beginning of the messianic age. 

The readings today from Isaiah, Paul and Matthew are disconcerting.  They are intended to make us think and pay attention to the idea of peace, the theme for the 2^nd week of Advent. 

As I look at the attempts of peace being made around the world at the moment, as leaders try to bring an end to the most terrible of conflicts, it is really clear peace is not easily achieved.  Enemies don’t become friends overnight, long held injuries, injustices and the desire for vengeance, bring a range of calls for justice and judgement, making us realise there aren’t many people in the world who might be capable of such wisdom and courage.

Today we celebrate Christ the King – and – ‘Breaking the Silence’ Sunday about gender-based violence.  In the sermon preparation, I checked Government websites to see what progress is being made to prevent gender-based violence, to see if fewer women and children are being killed, and if incidents are reducing; and I explored again the ideas of Christ the King.  I read and reread the lectionary readings for this Sunday.

I watched an ABC programme this week about the reconstruction of Norwich Castle, in East Anglia, a favourite city and place in my childhood.  Originally the refurbishment of this Norman building was meant to take 3 - 4 years and cost just over $13 million pounds.  It was finally completed in 2025 after 7 - 8 years and cost $30 million pounds.  The whole building had been deconstructed and then rebuilt, and as original Norman construction emerged from centuries of decay and more recent rebuilds, the refurbishment was adjusted, some things had to be redone, and differently, and always to absolute exactness for fit and truthfulness for the original building.  The building is now admired as an outstanding example of Norman architecture, of skill and extraordinary crafting by stonemasons, carpenters, blacksmiths, weavers, embroiderers and painters. 

As soldiers, pilots and sailors went off to war in the first and second world war, and in all the conflicts since then, the presence of chaplains was of great value and support, and I know it continues to be so today.  In Queensland we have a significantly higher number of serving men and women in the armed forces and consequently a good number of chaplains including Anglicans, who serve with them, either as active personnel or who are on the Australian Defence Forces reserves list. 

Our reflection this week starts with Luke’s Gospel and the discussion Jesus has with his followers about living into the Kingdom of God (Luke 18:15-30).  There are two encounters described for us as we think about what we mean and what Jesus meant about the Kingdom. 

I have three god-daughters, all adults now. Lucy, the eldest, is English, and grew up in Wales. Then there's Cecilia, in Melbourne. Finally Jessica, who moved from Geelong to China with her teacher parents. The distance between us limited my involvement in their lives, but, when they were children, I always sent them carefully chosen birthday and Christmas gifts. Lucy would respond with a card which I learnt to open over newspaper as it was always filled with stars, or hearts, or glitter. Cecilia preferred the phone: 'Hi Auntie Cathy. Thanks for the ... whatever. Here's Mum.' Short and sweet – that's Cecilia.

I have three god-daughters, all adults now. Lucy, the eldest, is English, and grew up in Wales. Then there's Cecilia, in Melbourne. Finally Jessica, who moved from Geelong to China with her teacher parents. The distance between us limited my involvement in their lives, but, when they were children, I always sent them carefully chosen birthday and Christmas gifts. Lucy would respond with a card which I learnt to open over newspaper as it was always filled with stars, or hearts, or glitter. Cecilia preferred the phone: 'Hi Auntie Cathy. Thanks for the ... whatever. Here's Mum.' Short and sweet – that's Cecilia.

Today is Father’s Day.  We give thanks to all fathers, grandfathers, adopted fathers and all the men who have helped to mentor and support children and young people.  Richard Rohr reminds us how precious is the relationship between parent and child, between father and son, just as it is between mother and daughter, and between father and daughter and mother and son.  The extraordinary opportunity many people have, to love a child, to raise them, to bless them in their daily lives, supporting and encouraging, guiding and enabling them, is life-giving and life-changing for everyone.