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In recognition of the start of Black History Month, we were delighted to welcome the Revd Canon Dr Catherine Okoronkwo as our preacher at the College Whole School Eucharist on Wednesday 1 October.
We are pleased to be able to share the transcript of Dr Okoronkwo's sermon below.
Dr Okoronkwo is a priest in the Church of England, currently Canon Steward at St Paul's Cathedral, is an author and poet and has previously been an English teacher.
Dr Okoronkwo was also able to spend some time in lessons, working with some of our budding poets and the Third and Fourth Forms.
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A re-telling of the Good Samaritan story.
A student in a class asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”
In reply Jesus told this story:
Nnamdi and Nnenna arrived a local secondary school to start a new term in Year 9. Nnamdi and Nnenna are twins, born to Nigerian immigrant parents.
Their father worked as a pharmacist in Nigeria but in the UK could only find work as an Uber driver. Their mother is a nurse, but now works as a Home Help. They are struggling financially because of how expensive everything is.
Nnamdi, the boy, walks with a slight limp. He loves music, especially playing the drums but sporting activities are not his strength.
Nnenna, the older of the two, enjoys maths and physics. She can be quite shy, but is curious about everything.
The two siblings have tried very hard to fit in this term – but it hasn’t been easy.
During lunch break, they are often found sitting alone and left out of all the fun and games.
On one particular day, two students started on them. They called them horrible names, made fun of their accents, and mocked Nnamdi’s limp. One of the students pulled out a mobile phone and began to video the whole thing, laughing at their discomfort and tears.
A group of popular students were chatting and eating on a bench close by. They watched on as Nnamdi and Nnenna were poked fun of. After a few minutes, they turned back to their conversation catching up with the gossip of the day.
Another group, some students who were part of the Christian Youth Club, also noticed what was happening as they were heading across to their lunchtime session in one of the classrooms. They passed by slowly, paused, but decided not to get involved. They didn’t have time and would be late for their Youth Club session.
Yet another small group of students, heard all the commotion and gathered round Nnamdi and Nnenna. A couple of them came up to the two students who were being nasty to Nnamdi and Nnenna and shouted, “Cut it out! Leave them alone!” While another from the group turned to Nnamdi and Nnenna, held out a hand and said, “Come on, come and eat with us!”
At this Nnamdi and Nnenna got up and followed them, away from those who were attacking them.
Jesus turned to those who had been listening to his story and asked: “Which of these three groups do you think was a neighbour to Nnamdi and Nnenna?”
A student raised their hand and replied, “The group that showed Nnamdi and Nnenna kindness.”
Jesus told them, “Go and do likewise.”
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In the story, Nnamdi and Nnenna have been badly bullied on account of being different. And we can just imagine what an awful school experience they might be having.
Jesus, through his ministry, teaches us that there is nothing wrong with ‘being different’, because there is so much beauty in our diversity. Jesus’ actions and teachings emphasise his love and compassion for all people.
We all matter to God, so what we are being encouraged to think about… is how we treat people who may look, think or act differently to ourselves.
In my ministry whenever I encounter someone, I make a point of engaging with that person as if I am speaking to, or interacting with, Jesus himself.
How will we encourage and build others up this term?
Let us pray.
Dear God,
There are times when we need help from others and times when others need help from us.
Encourage and inspire us always to be ready to help each other, even people we think are different from ourselves.
In Jesus Name.
Amen.