The Sermon Preached by The Very Reverend John Dobson
at his Installation as Dean of Ripon on 14 June 2014
Before a sermon, a few notes of thanks. And before the thanks, a thought.
Three weeks ago, as some of you know,I was reminded of a story about Winston
Churchill. The twice-chosen Prime Minister was speaking to a very large audience in
the USA. One lady came up to him afterwards and asked, “Gee Mr Churchill, aren’t
you just proud when speaking to so many people.” To this Churchill replied,
“Madam, if I were to begin to feel proud, I would remind myself that twice as many
people would be here if I were being hanged.”
Well the thought did cross my mind as you all responded to your invitations! So, I
suppose I should say thank you to those who declined! I am grateful for the prayers
that many of them have promised. And I am very grateful to those of you who are
here. Your support is appreciated. Thank you!
I am also grateful to everyone here at the cathedral who has worked hard to make
this event possible. What a great team! A team that has done well to pull together
over the last year in sad and difficult circumstances. We congratulate you.
I hope everyone has noticed that there are refreshments both before and after this
event! To all involved in the provision and the serving, thank you! Even the army
volunteered to help. It was needed!
For twenty-five years I have been preaching the gospel north of the Tees, trying to
convince people there of the unquestionable generosity of Yorkshire people.
Today, former parishioners discover that I was telling the truth all along. And
generous, welcoming hospitality is a thought that shouldn’t be too far from our minds
on the Eve of Trinity Sunday. It is something we try to practise in this Cathedral.
God is good. And how good of him to sort things so that this service could take place
as we begin to celebrate the wonder of three in one and one in three. Yes, in all
other dioceses the thought of three in one and one in three immediately leads to
contemplating God, the Holy Trinity.
Well, of course, that is also the case in this great diocese of West Yorkshire and the
Dales, but people here could be forgiven for thinking that 3 in 1 and 1 in 3 might also
be a reference to the blessing of three cathedrals. A mystery to some beyond our
borders, perhaps, but to those of us who are beginning to live in this reality, it is just
a statement of how things are and how things are experienced. Each cathedral is
distinct, having something particular to offer to the whole diocese in supporting the
bishop in mission. And all three together, in glorious harmony, provide the bishop
with a seat. (And with his extensive role profile he will need to take a seat often.)
Hospitality is important: Abraham showed hospitality and was blessed beyond his
imagining. It was so unimaginable - the promise of a child in old age – that Sarah
laughed. I wonder how often we let out a nervous, or cynical, or disbelieving laugh
when God is trying to bless us beyond our imagining. Perhaps when he is trying to
tell us that things can get better for the church and the communities it serves.
Abraham showed hospitality to three men at the oaks of Mamre; he was providing
refreshment to none other than the Lord himself. And since the early Christian
centuries this passage has seemed to affirm the Church’s belief that God is Trinity. It
certainly inspired Rublev in the painting of his now well-known icon.
I thought I would furnish you with a copy of this icon. Please, look at your prayer
cards. Consider yourselves fortunate, it was very nearly a picture post card of the
family Dobson smiling at you.
On this, the eve of Trinity Sunday, Rublev’s icon is preferable; showing Abraham’s
guests at Mamre, interpreted as a picture of the Trinity. The figure on the right wears
green and blue robes – representing earth and heaven. Here is the Holy Spirit - the
one at home on earth (green), connecting us with the divine (blue). He bows his
head to the central figure, God the Son, robed partly in blue, and the royal robes of
empire. Here is the one who returned to heaven in glory as the all-conquering king
(servant king!) who was victorious over sin and death.
His head is bowed as he looks to the figure on his right – God the Father whose blue
robe is well hidden by translucent robes that speak of eternal glory. Each is distinct,
but together, in a community of mutual love, for ever one: 3 in 1; 1 in 3.
Rublev helps us to recognise a truth of God which is relevant for us in this service: at
the heart of God is a loving community. This is not an insular community caring only
for itself, but one which appears to be open, inviting us in; inviting us in to take a seat
at the table and be caught up in the life of heaven. This Cathedral Church, just like
parish churches, just like the Church of England and our ecumenical partners, this
cathedral serves God’s mission best when it seeks to be a community reflecting the
loving community that is God.
Yes, within our unity there is diversity, of course. And the differences are respected,
as long as the thing that unites us is a heart-felt desire to grow with one another into
the loving mystery which is God. It was Michael Ramsey who once wrote, when
reflecting on Christian unity, “Unity is God’s alone, and in him alone can anything on
earth be said to be united.” Little wonder that Jesus should command his disciples to
love one another: they had been chosen by him and were appointed to go out and
bear fruit, fruit that will last. We are all invited into the loving community which is
God: church and world alike.
This ancient Cathedral, with its new dean, values working in partnership with
parishes, deaneries and other denominations; with all who wish to share the good
news of Jesus Christ. And it values working in partnership with all parts of the local
and regional community, all those who want to strengthen community and make life
better for all.
I am delighted that the city, district and regional authorities are represented this
evening. I am delighted that the voluntary and private sectors, and our military
communities, are well represented; not to mention families who live with a sense of
responsibility, serving the wider community and the common good.
We can serve better by working together. This makes pragmatic sense; none of us
has the total answer when considering, for example, the needs of the poorest and
most vulnerable within this region. None of us alone can extend the region’s
generous hospitality to tourists and pilgrims, not least when they advance on bikes! It
makes pragmatic sense to be united in a common effort.
But on the eve of Trinity Sunday, when we celebrate the loving community which is
God himself, we are reminded that there is more sense to this building up of human
community and working together than we might at first realise. “Unity is God’s alone,
and in him alone can anything on earth be said to be united.” May we in the church:
in parishes, deaneries and cathedrals; indeed, may all of us within this region grow
into the community which is God, seeking to develop communities that are more like
his heavenly kingdom.
And so to God the Holy Trinity be all might, majesty, dominion and power; now and
for ever. Amen.