Homilies

Back to Homilies menu

            One thing that all three monotheistic faiths have in common is the celebration of the divine compassion.  Islam calls God “the compassionate, the all-merciful.”  In today’s lesson the Lord reminds the Israelites through Moses, “You have seen how I bore you on eagles’ wings” (Exodus 19:4).  Jesus’ motivation in calling the twelve disciples and sending them out on the mission is said to have been his “compassion” on the multitude.
            The Christian gospel focuses on the salvation of the individual, the care of the soul.  But we must not forget the multitude.  Those of us gathered here today are no longer the multitude which the congregation of the Good Shepherd used to be years ago, and the justification for a continuing Anglican presence here cannot be based simply on the spiritual care of those on our parish list.  It must include a concern for the community in which we live, which our mayor has designated a “community at risk.” 
            Thanks to those who have supported the church over the years, we have excellent facilities which have been maintained in good condition.  We are therefore in a position to make these facilities available to groups in the community which have no direct connection with our church. 
            My predecessor, Bill Linley, inaugurated this programme 20 years ago when he offered space to Super Kids Day Care.  This was not a money-making proposition but a response to community need.  In his 1997 Report Brad Lennon notes:
                        The childcare centre located in the Church of the Good Shepherd
                        is one of ten in the area, an astonishing number for so small a
                        geographical district.  This concentration of childcare is due to
                        the large number of parents, especially single-mothers, living
                        in the adjacent residences. 
            That same report of Father Lennon mentions Aduyuan, the residence for aboriginal mothers on Weston Road.  Our last meeting of Advisory Board considered offering our facilities for a ministry to the aboriginal residents in Mount Dennis.  I have asked the person who raised this matter with us to work out a concrete proposal, with the help of the Diocesan Coordinator for Outreach, Maggie Helwig. 
            The neighborhood group which hosted two talent shows here last summer has requested the use of our auditorium once again on August 16, and the Wardens have given their permission. 
            Last year we realized that we could no longer accept from the day care the special rate which Bill Linley had agreed to, and the present contract is moving, by gradual stages, to a market rent.  Similarly, when the Talent Show gave the church a purely nominal honorarium last year, we had to make it clear that we could only offer our hospitality again if we received appropriate compensation.  It is not a question of making money but simply of keeping our doors open.  Our motivation remains that of our Lord, whose compassion on the multitude was not restricted to those of a particular denominational affiliation. 

June 15, 2008

back to top