Homily Funeral Service for Trevor Edward Davies Pitt Street Uniting Church June 23, 2011
Mark 12:28-31
‘To will one thing’
I am honoured to have known Trevor Davies, and honoured to share this homily today.
When I first arrived in Redfern-Waterloo five years ago, Trevor told
me how he’d once climbed onto the roof of the concrete shed behind the
church. “I was up there,” he said,“with a clear view in all directions,”
before impressing upon me the importance of serving the people of South
Sydney. This was a moment, for Trevor, of clarity, of call. His God had
shown him, as in a prophetic vision, the rooftops and high-rises, the
back-lanes and parklands of thousands at risk of hopelessness and
voiceless-ness – and charged him with a task: to inform, to agitate for
reforms, to protect the most vulnerable, to relieve suffering, to help
create safe social space – to herald a reign of love and justice.
“It’s awesome,” he said, of the responsibility he felt for The South Sydney Herald
and its work. And then he’d say how he hated the word “awesome” – or
hated the way it was abused by overly enthusiastic co-religionists. I
used to wonder what’d led to Trevor being up on that roof. There is
something comical about the scene, just as he’d find it slightly comical
to see me preaching from up here in the high pulpit,but I never had
cause to doubt the sincerity of his vision. It was plain that he lived
in response to it. Among many condolences and tributes this past week
some people have told me they sometimes envied Trevor’s sense of
vocation.
Like many, I’m shattered by Trevor’s passing. It seems incredible
he’s gone. And yet I’m also in awe of something – the lesson of his
short but full life. It’s this. That when you discern a calling in life
there’s no telling what you can achieve – there’s no telling what can be
achieved through you, even in spite of you. One of my favourite books
is called Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing by Søren
Kierkegaard. “Purity of heart is to will one thing”means that love of
God and love of neighbour are in harmony, are one thing. The
commandments connote a double movement of the heart but not a
contradiction.
And more. With the discernment of a true calling, you are free to be
yourself. And you can do amazing things – you can push out from within
all kinds of limitations. And you can have a lot of fun doing it!
I want to honour how far Trevor had come – how much he’d overcome. I
sometimes didn’t acknowledge that so well. How he challenged himself and
tested cherished propositions and even prejudices, allowed himself to
trust and to love – his neighbour as himself. It was rarely without great effort.
I not only recognise this double, triple movement in the life of my
friend, I also feel the force of it as a personal challenge. Trevor’s
life and death renew a soul-searching: What am I called to be and to do? What do I love when I love my God? How does my life make for freedom, hope, genuine safety and happiness in others?
It’s a properly Christian challenge, and it wouldn’t be untrue to say
there’s a gift-like quality – a graciousness – in the death of one who
lived so faithfully. Trevor’s death, in good time, will open a space for
others, many spaces for others. This is not so shocking with reference
to one whose Saviour died for others.
I’m only just beginning to appreciate what I’ve learned from Trevor.
He taught by doing, by trying, by not giving up. I have a terrible sense
of direction. Really terrible. But I realised a few days ago that I
pretty much know my way around South Sydney. “Turn left,” Trevor would
say as we made our way in the GoGet van from the printer’s in
Marrickville, through the streets of Newtown, to Darlington, Glebe,
Kings Cross, Surry Hills, Redfern, Waterloo, Eveleigh, Alexandria,
Erskineville. “Turn left, always!” He never grew tired of that joke.
Who’d have thought a little congregation and an army of volunteers
could produce a community newspaper each month for well over ten years.
Vladimir, Dorothy, Ali, Esther, Jonathan, John and I, still marvel at
what appears the impossible. But it is possible. By the grace of God, it
really is.
Here’s the good news. Because there is a light the darkness will not
overwhelm you. Because there is a light you may walk in it. Because
Trevor Davies, in the Light of One whose commandments are encouragements
to give and receive love, has shown you how to make connections in the
community, how to maintain friendships, how to care for your
neighbourhood, you will not be alone. You are not alone.
In the name of God – Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver – Amen.