06.11.2019
Jerusalem Majma Explores Theme of Living Sacrifice – Archbishop of Dublin Reports
Archbishop Michael Jackson, accompanied by the Revd Dr William Olhausen, Rector of St Matthias, Ballybrack, is currently attending the Majma (Synod) of the Diocese of Jerusalem, with whom we have a partnership link. The diocese covers Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Syria and Lebanon and clergy and members of the diocese are gathering in Amman for three days. Here is the Archbishop’s report from the third and final day.
The Third Day of the Majma began with worship and further exploration of the theme from Romans 12.1 of living sacrifice. This formed the content both of the sermon preached by Dean Hosam and later of the address to the Majma of Theophilus the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem who came to participate in the worship and the meeting. He spoke warmly of the relationship between Anglicans and Orthodox in Jerusalem and their joint commitment with others to religious freedom throughout the Middle East.
In his address, the Patriarch spoke of the connection between the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and the building of community on the ground through repentance as the pivotal spiritual and practical action that makes humility possible. In this way the body on earth reflects the Body of Christ through imitation of Christ. The warm relationship that the Patriarch has with Archbishop Suheil was reflected in his ready and easy engagement with the people of the Majma.
The remainder of the day was spent in discussion of the life of the many institutions of healthcare and education which are vital to the contribution the diocese makes to the life of all the people in the five countries which it serves.
The three–day experience enabled us both to share what we in Dublin & Glendalough are doing in developing the life of our diocese through the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion in particular. It also threw into sharp and positive relief how the increasingly diverse forms of ministry and community expressing themselves in our churches is both urgent and life–giving. The theme of living sacrifice, as it has turned out, has proved to be both providential and inspirational to the work of Dublin and Glendalough in the present and for the future as also to the diocese of Jerusalem and The Middle East.
