Bondi reflections
Cathedral Newsletter - 18 December 2025
Here’s my brief sermon at our Evening Prayer service focussing on Bondi on Monday just past…
Bondi is on the world’s front pages for all the wrong reasons. The media is full of sorrow and anger and blame. And politics and demands for action follow closely. It’s understandable to cry out for justice in the face of terrible acts of cruelty on the weak and helpless.
And the Bible is a very honest book. The Hebrew Psalms honestly record cries of vengeance on the enemies of God, especially when expressed in persecution of his people or by indiscriminate attack on the vulnerable… Not so much a knee-jerk reaction, but a ‘heart-jerk’ cry of pity, which the Lord permits us to pray, though we ourselves are fallen, in words he has graciously given us.
And the Bible also records a proper place for the police officers of our nations. In the next chapter after tonight’s reading, Romans 13 says God sets governing authorities in place to punish the evil doer. But that’s not my topic today. That’s especially for those called to government and public protection.
Tonight I want to talk about the personal. That’s what Romans 12 helps with… Just look at the challenging wisdom of Romans 12:14. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
The Apostle who writes these words was familiar with the teaching of Jesus in that most famous of sermons, “on the mount”; where Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt 5:44). There is the personal response Jesus calls for.
Not easy. But beautiful and transformative.
Vv17-18 continue… “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” I am thankful v18 honestly admits that sometimes others can make it impossible to live at peace, despite your better attempts.
But regardless, v19 continues, speaks particularly to us as individuals, but also, to our sub-cultures… “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” And you can’t read the Bible and not see there is a Day of Judgment, when the only-wise God, who sees all things accurately, will judge us with justice, including all who seem to escape the earthly bars of justice.
But coming back to the personal… For us, now and always, vv20-21 says, “On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” V20 is a quote from the Hebrew Proverbs. Not just a negative principle of personal non-retaliation. But the positive principle of neighbour love, of active good, applied especially to enemies.
The intervening verses I skipped remind us such actions will only arise from humility and empathy for others, v15… “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.”
I am thinking here of the unselfish paramedics and police. The blood donors who queued for hours outside today. And shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, at great risk to his own life, wrestling a rifle off that shooter, no doubt saving lives, though himself wounded by gunfire.
This reminds me of the actions of the Lord Jesus Christ, the one we believe is the Messiah, the hope of Israel, a light to the Gentile nations, defender of the poor, robed in righteousness, prince of peace, whose resting place in the new creation will be glorious.
Jesus did his work by sacrifice, laying down his life on the cross, brave shepherd for wandering sheep, paying the penalty in our place. He took all the horror of our sin onto himself… And it was not futile. For his resurrection brings us hope beyond the grave. His empty tomb says, to all who will believe, that death is not the end; that hatred and evil do not triumph; that we can emerge through just judgment on our sins into full forgiveness, won at such cost, by the suffering servant of the Lord.
That is where the transformation is – with Jesus the Messiah. That is where the power to change resides – with Jesus the light of the world. That is where we learn to say we will forgive the trespasses of others, as we ourselves ask Jesus to forgive us our trespasses. That is where we find mercy upon mercy for ourselves, and power to love even our enemies.
Let us pray… And here are the prayers (for Bondi and the Jewish community, the first responders, and our wider society and leaders) which I wrote and which our Archbishop led at that service (plus one added later).
Warmly in Christ,
Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney