Mark Hocknull, Chancellor John Patrick, Acting Dean & Subdean Philippa White, Succentor
The gospel reading for this Sunday presents some real challenges. The parable of the dishonest servant who is commended for dishonest and underhand way he deals with his master’s debtors is very perplexing indeed. To be honest I’m not at all sure I understand it at all. Reading the text carefully, I wonder if Luke really knew what to make of the parable. He seems to offer at least four different interpretations after the end of the parable proper in verse 8. Preachers have drawn all four of these lessons into their sermons. The children of light need to act more shrewdly; Christians should make friends by ‘dishonest wealth’; if you’re not faithful with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true riches; you cannot serve two masters.
Part of the problem is that terms like “dishonest wealth” and “true riches” are not made clear. And how we are to make friends with dishonest wealth that will lead to a welcome into the eternal home is left unsaid. But perhaps most vexing of all is the question of why the rich man commended his dishonest manager. It’s here, I think, from which we may hear, even if somewhat faintly at first, the heartbeat of a good sermon on this passage.
While I can’t claim with confidence to know exactly why the owner commends his dishonest manager, it occurs to me that one of the prominent themes in Luke is the proper use of wealth. Except that it’s not just the use of wealth; it’s more like Luke is concerned with our relationship to wealth and how that affects our relationships with others. With this in mind, we sense a profound change in the rather interesting, if not terribly admirable, character of the dishonest manager. For while he once acted in a dishonest way to enrich himself, he now acts to enrich others and thereby establish a relationship of mutual benefit.
There is a strong cultural taboo regarding talking about money with others, and yet most people I know — including myself — struggle with questions about money: how much is enough, how much should we give away, how can we raise children who are both wise and generous, and so on. While I’m not sure this parable gives clear guidance to any of these questions, is does present characters who also struggle with money, characters with mixed motives and yet who change over time in relationship to their circumstances. Characters, perhaps, not too unlike ourselves.
Perhaps the parable is difficult because the issue is difficult for us and so it challenges all of us to think through the question of our relationship to money and how we use it wisely and well before God.
Mark Hocknull, Chancellor
23 September Hallé Orchestra – Last chance to get tickets to see the Hallé Orchestra performing in the Cathedral. The programme: Sir Mark Elder – Conductor, Elena Urioste – Violin, Dvorak – The Golden Spinning Wheel (27’), Glazunov – Violin Concerto (21’) and Beethoven – Symphony No.6 ‘Pastoral’ (40’). Concert starts at 7pm. Tickets from £12. To purchase your tickets please log onto lincolncathedral.com visit the Cathedral Shop or call 01522 56164
24 September – The Community Association Autumn 2016 Walk – This is confirmed to take place on Saturday 24 September. There is still time to sign up if you wish to join the walk, and to indicate your menu choice. You can choose to walk either a longer morning walk or a shorter post lunch one – or both. Please look at the CA noticeboard for further details re meeting location and departure time, and indicate which walk sections you would like to join. Any queries please see John Harker or Barbara Wilson.
10 October – Lincoln Cathedral Community Association – The AGM of the LCCA takes place on Monday 10th October t, 7pm for 7.30pm, in the Cathedral Centre. This year we are not making any charge for the social part of the evening when we have invited Dr. Anne Irving to tell us more about the progress of the Cathedral Connected programme. However, the main part of the meeting is to review the work the of the Executive Committee since October 2015 and as always, we would welcome any members of the community, who are already on the Electoral Roll, to think about putting their energies and expertise to the work of the Cathedral Community. Anyone interested should contact the secretary, Margaret Campion, before mid-September to complete the necessary nomination forms.
23 October – HARVEST SUPPER – the Community Association are organising a Harvest Supper on Wednesday in the Chapter House. A hot meal will be served and entertainment will be provided by members of Lincolnshire Hospitals Band. Please book this date and join us – tickets will be available at the beginning of October. On behalf of LCCC Executive Committee
10 December – Lincoln Cathedral Music Fund are hosting a performance by the Cathedral Choristers and Thea Butterworth of Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols on Saturday 10th December 2016 in the Chapter House at 2pm in the afternoon and, again in the Chapter House at 7pm in the evening. The evening performance will be followed by a Lanternlight Tour of the Cathedral. Tickets are £10 for the afternoon performance (£5 for children under 14) and £25 for the evening performance and Lanternlight Tour and will include a glass of wine and canapés. Tickets are available from the Lincoln Cathedral Box Office on 01522 561644 or www.lincolncathedral.com
The Chapter Clerk writes: The Venerable Christine Wilson will be installed as Dean of Lincoln at 5.30pm on Saturday 22 October 2016. I know that many staff, volunteers and members of the congregation would like to come and if you do wish to be there please contact Rachel Woodward, Dean’s PA via email dean@lincolncathedral.com or Anne James, Precentor’s PA by telephone on 01522 561632. Entry will be by ticket only and tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The deadline for replies to Rachel and Anne is Sunday 25th September 2016.
New Community Card Scheme: Lincoln Cathedral is pleased to announce the launch of its Community Card scheme. The Community Card is a partnership between the Cathedral and a growing number of local businesses that offers cardholders a range of generous discounts and benefits at selected restaurants & pubs, shops & boutiques and days out across the region. The card is just £39.99 for a year and at this price, with the savings that are available, is likely to give you savings over the year. What is more, it’s a great way to support the Cathedral. To view the offers currently available or to get your card, visit LincolnCathedral.com and click on the community card button or telephone the Grants & Donations office on 01522 561614. Can you really afford to miss out?
22 August to 1 September 2017 – Jekyll and Hyde Theatre in the Nave is back with this epic piece of musical theatre. Jekyll and Hyde explores questions of good and evil, of redemption and punishment. Over two hundred local people will join together to produce the show taking place in the stunning Nave of Lincoln Cathedral. The company, made completely of volunteers have blown audiences away for two years running by the breath taking performances they have given. Tickets are due to be released in the New Year.
Bible Readings
Sunday 18 September 17th Sunday after Trinity
Sung Eucharist Amos 8:4-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13
Mattins Isaiah 45:9-22, Revelation 14:1-5
Evensong Ezra 1, John 7:14-36
Sunday 25 September 18th Sunday after Trinity
Sung Eucharist Amos 6:1a, 4-7, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-end
Mattins Isaiah 48:12-end, Luke 11:37-end
Evensong Nehemiah 2, John 8:31-38, 48-end
Sunday 2 October 19th Sunday after Trinity
Sung Eucharist Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2.1-4, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10
Mattins Isaiah 49: 13-23, Luke 12:1-12,
Evensong Nehemiah 5:1-13, John 9
