St Matthew's Gospel

Rev Philip Dawson

Good Morning and welcome to St Olave Hart Street. I’m the Rector, Philip Dawson.

The church was founded here in the City of London in 1050 and is dedicated to a Viking warrior who became king, and then Patron Saint of Norway. The first healing miracle here associated with Olaf is recorded in the twelfth century.

Some say our curious pronunciation of Olaf as Olave comes from the Cockneys who worked the nearby docks. Others hear in it a closer echo of the Norwegian.

A survivor of the Great Fire, the story of this church is entwined with London’s mercantile and maritime past. Samuel Pepys, buried here, called it his “own church”; John Betjeman, described it as, “a country church in the world of Seething Lane.”

Olaf and Olave.
City and countryside.
Warrior and healer.

Like all lives set down in text, the story of this place is layered rather than clear cut. A place where apparent opposites are held in holy tension—where lives meet, and meaning quietly emerges.

We’re delighted to be joined today by Laura Luz and Dai Woolridge to explore St Matthew’s gospel, and to have our reflections enriched with music sung for us by the St Martin’s Voices.

MUSIC: In all things – Andrew Earis

Rev Laura Luz

Matthew’s Gospel was written to a community living in a fragmented and dissonant world.

Those who had embraced Jesus as the saviour were left wondering,

‘if that man truly had been the Messiah, surely he wouldn’t have left the world like this?’

To those feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders;

this Gospel offers an invitation

to re-think our views of who God is in the chaos of our world

To ‘repent’, literally turn away from false ideas of power and religion

and ask ourselves the question Jesus asks

‘who did you come to see?’

Lord,

As we approach these scriptures, may our prayer be that we are not so blinded by our idea of religion and power, that we miss where you are truly amongst us.

Amen

Matthew 5:3-11

Our first reading is from Matthew chapter 5 beginning at verse 3.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

SPOKEN WORD – Blessed - Dai Woolridge

Rev Laura Luz

Are we…blessed?

Rather than taking the challenges of life away, Jesus invites those around him to see how the stress and pain sits alongside blessing

We are asked…

Do you want an inner, present, peace that acknowledges the reality of your life

independent of what’s in your news-feed, inbox or bank balance?

Can you trust that your spiritual wellbeing isn’t found in following religious rules

But in inviting Jesus into the entirety of your life, in all its messiness and pain?

Merciful God

Help us to trust that you bless us, in our lives, however you find us today

Amen

MUSIC: Blessed be your name – Matt Redman

Matthew 18: 1-5

Our next reading from Matthew chapter 18 encourages us to look to heaven, beginning at verse 1.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

SPOKEN WORD – Who’s the greatest in God’s book? – Dai Woolridge

Rev Laura Luz

The Buddhists call it coming with a "beginner's mind,"

But how hard we can find it, to approach Jesus with openness, eagerness and curiosity,

Not coming as the ‘expert’

But coming as someone who doesn’t know

A child with questions

Imagine yourself sat like these children, wondering who Jesus is

what questions do you ask of him?

how does he welcome them?

What does he reply?

Welcoming God,

Help us speak the questions of our hearts

Amen

MUSIC: Speak, O Lord, as we come to you – Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Matthew 22:34-40

We hear the first commandment now from Matthew chapter 22, beginning at verse 34.

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

SPOKEN WORD – Love God with all your heart – Dai Woolridge

Rev Laura Luz

It’s a big change, moving from seeing God as one who gives many laws to follow; laws we can memorise, laws we can obey.

To noticing a God who comes to us disguised as our lives.

This is simple the invitation of Jesus

Compassionate God

Help us to find you in the love we give and receive

to let go of everything else

Amen

MUSIC: A New Commandment – Richard Shephard

Matthew 25:31-46

Our final reading this morning is from Matthew 25 beginning at verse 31.

He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

SPOKEN WORD – When He shows up – Dai Woolridge

Rev Laura Luz

Sometimes we realise that all we have spent building up our life upon….

is worthless

That we will be known by nothing, remembered for nothing …

but our ability to love

How do we respond when the castles, the political systems, we have built in our lifetime crumble?

Is it the end of our lives? Jesus asks

Creator God

Help us today to take up your invitation

to a new life in you.

Amen

MUSIC: The Lord’s Prayer - Bob Chilcott

Rev Laura Luz

Jesus

You invite us to abandon expert approaches to religion

For the desert wilderness of our inner lives

Keep us child-like.

Bless our small steps,

As we tear down the empires we have built in our own image

Open our hearts to our own our fragility, to the poor, sick and hurting

And in the mystery of that love, help us see you

Amen

MUSIC: You do not walk alone – Elaine Hagenberg