Archbishop Jeremy Greaves’ Sermon at St James Patronal Festival

Archbishop Jeremy Greaves’ Sermon at St James Patronal Festival

This year’s Patronal Festival at St James was a memorable occasion, highlighted by the inspiring sermon from Archbishop Jeremy Greaves. His message invited the congregation to reflect deeply on the life of St James and what it means for us today to live out a faith marked by humility, courage, and active service.

Archbishop Greaves began by challenging the congregation with a question from the prophet Jeremiah: “Do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them.” This set the tone for a sermon that emphasized the gospel call to reject worldly ambition and instead embrace a life of humble service.

He shared two stories illustrating the gap between how the church sees itself and how it is perceived by the wider world. One was about a small church named St James the Less that tried to make itself more visible with a neon sign, only to inadvertently highlight its “lesser” status. The other was about a police officer interested in a tattoo of the Anglican Communion’s compass rose, symbolizing “The truth will set you free.” These stories underscored the challenge the church faces in communicating its true identity and mission.

Archbishop Greaves reflected on the growing disconnect between the church and many young people, who often see Christianity as hypocritical, judgmental, or irrelevant. He urged the church to listen more and speak less, to adopt a posture of humility, and to engage with the community by asking, “What can we do for you?” rather than assuming what people need.

He highlighted the example of Renee Coffee, a newly elected parliamentarian who knocked on 15,000 doors asking constituents how she could serve them. Archbishop Greaves suggested that the church could learn from this approach by becoming a “pilgrim” in the community, listening and serving with love and humility.

The gospel reading from Matthew 20, where Jesus teaches that greatness comes through service and not power, was central to his message. Archbishop Greaves reminded the congregation that Christianity is not a ticket to prestige but an invitation to follow Jesus’ example of self-giving love.

He concluded with a hopeful vision for the future, quoting Sam Wells: “We have a future that’s much bigger than the past.” Trusting in God’s grace, the church is called to be a community that serves the world outside its walls, embodying the courage and commitment of St James.

The sermon was a powerful reminder that the church’s mission is not to save itself but to save the world through humble, loving service. It was a call to live faith actively, to be a beacon of hope and compassion in the community, and to walk together on the pilgrimage of faith.

Archbishop Jeremy Greaves’ Sermon at St James Patronal Festival Archbishop Jeremy Greaves’ Sermon at St James Patronal Festival Reviewed by Shane St Reynolds on July 27, 2025 Rating: 5

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