The Very Rev. Lawson’s Sermon at the 195th Diocesan Convention
The first gathering was an opening Eucharist at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Chapel, presided over by Bishop Glenda Curry, and the sermon delivered by the Very Rev. Richard T. Lawson, Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Alabama.
Five days after his election as Bishop-Elect, the Very Rev. Lawson expressed gratitude and excitement to be at the convention and shared that he and his wife, Katherine, would be present throughout the event and looked forward to connecting with attendees.
Reflecting on Matthew 9:35–38, Lawson’s sermon emphasized Jesus’ compassion for the crowds—people “harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.” He highlighted that Jesus’ ministry comes from the heart, a deep, gut-level love for humanity, and called the congregation to experience God’s love fully, allowing both mind and heart to guide their faith.
“What Matthew is giving us is essentially what is the heart of Jesus. What is the foundation of his ministry in our ministry? What is below the surface? Every single time he speaks and acts, it is from the heart of love, and it is from his very gut. And when you step back from that just a moment and think about this being God’s son and the mystery of the incarnation, Matthew is implying that at the very heart of Almighty God, even this kind of gut-wrenching love for people. For God so loved the world.”
He continued, “I’m told that Bishop Stough, the eighth bishop of Alabama, God rest his soul, loved to say that the longest journey a person will make is 18 inches. Did you hear him say that was 18 inches from here to here, from the mind to the heart? And so I want to tell another story that has to do with making that journey a story that I think really resonates with this gospel reading and a story that’s all about feeling for the love of God, especially in a moment when the defense mechanisms fail in life in those moments when we really need God to do something for us that we can’t do for ourselves.”
The Very Rev. Lawson shared a story from Trinity Church, Wall Street, during 9/11, illustrating how the power of prayer, scripture, and hymns brought comfort and demonstrated God’s presence in moments of fear and uncertainty. He encouraged the Diocese of Alabama to embrace this same compassion and to help others feel the love of Christ, especially in times when their defenses fail. He underscored that Christian ministry is rooted in deep empathy, connection, and the transformative power of God’s love.
“A friend of mine, Stuart Hoke, who’s a priest and an Arkansan, was the vicar of Trinity Wall Street at that time. And he tells an incredible, moving story; it’s his story, and I have his permission to share some of it with you. When 9/11 happened after the second tower had been hit, Stuart and the organist walked into Trinity Church, Wall Street, and if you haven’t been there, it’s a stone’s throw literally from what were the towers. It’s right there. Stuart and the organist walk into Trinity Wall Street, and after the second tower hits, there are hundreds of people in Trinity Wall Street, hundreds of people, and they’ve come seeking shelter. They’ve come for prayer, they’ve come for safety. They come not to be alone. They’ve come for God knows what, and they’re all there. And at this point, they don’t know exactly what all is going on.”
