This has been an incredibly busy month for us. We have celebrated Pentecost with the week of prayer for Christian unity. We have celebrated Trinity, with prayers for the Journey of Healing. We have celebrated St Augustine with a visit from Archdeacon Deryck Howell. We have had our first round of Dinners for Six, and now we celebrate the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost on the Queen's birthday long weekend.

When I think of the list of celebrations, it seems to me that there was a danger that we could have highlighted the differences between us rather than the things that draw us together. At Pentecost we could have looked for the differences between the churches, that the Roman Catholics have a Pope and that the Uniting Church does not have Bishops. On Trinity Sunday we could have talked about the differences we have about Aboriginal Land Rights, and there are profound differences of opinion. In our pew sheet on that day we referred to the Dharug people as the "owners" of the land on which we stand. It has been pointed out to me that the Dharug people have no legal title to the land, that is held be the Diocese of Sydney. Also, while we may occupy and live on the land, no mere human can really own it - as it says in Psalm 24, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." In addition, many people would say that "ownership" is not the right word to describe the relationship between indigenous people and the land. Even so, it is important to listen with respect to the debate and the arguments put forward.

This is also true for the relationship between this parish and the wider church. The Diocese of Sydney is very diverse socially and theologically. There are many ways of describing the gospel and the work of God in the world. We are all human, how can we possible expect to understand the mind of God fully? Disagreements will happen, and we may find ourselves very deeply disagreeing with other Anglicans. Some of us have been very badly hurt by the actions and opinions of members of the church and it is difficult for us to deal charitably with those who have hurt us.

Nevertheless, this parish is part of the Diocese of Sydney and one way we recognise this is by inviting the Archdeacon and the Bishop of our Region to be our guests. We treat them with respect and welcome them as we would welcome anyone who shares our hospitality.

Hospitality is the basis of our Dinners for Six program. The idea is for us to know each other better. We can share a little when we meet after the service, and we can learn more when we meet in Our Church Community Time once a month - but Jesus gives us the example of the best way of knowing people better - when we are gathered together in a small group to share a meal together. Here is an opportunity to learn more of each others hopes and fears, enthusiasms and concerns. We can learn how to support each other and how we can build each other up. We can even share our faith and our spiritual journeys.

At the same time we may learn about the things that could divide us. We are a diverse community, with people from many countries, speaking many languages. There are old people and very young people, people with many possessions and people with few. We support different football teams and different political parties and each of us has their own story to tell and their own way of understanding the world. Today is an occasion when one particular difference is obvious, for some of us are Monarchists and some are Republicans and some of us are undecided one way or the other. The debate has been running for many years and will run for many years more. Today we give thanks for Queen Elizabeth, who has carried out her role as Queen and Head of the Commonwealth with skill and care. We give thanks for her devotion to her duty and her faithfulness in what she does. Whatever we think about her role in Australia's future, we acknowledge her as a peacemaker among the nations, and peacemakers, as Jesus said, will be blessed and called children of God.

The reality of it is that we are all children of God and this is the way we should see each other. This is what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. As St Paul told the Roman church, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul's argument is that God, in Christ, loves all people, the good, the bad and the ugly. And although, as humans, we might risk our lives, or even lose them, for the sake of a good person; Christ is much more loving and is prepared to die for those who are ungodly and those who are sinners. Christ died for his friends; that is true, but what is more amazing is that he died for his enemies!

Christ's death changed the relationship between God and humans for ever. God has always loved every human being. The difference is that now we know it. God, says Paul, offers to everyone peace and love, and the hope of sharing the glory of God. Every one - each one of us and everyone we disagree with, even our enemies - I might say, especially our enemies. And if this is so, and we are all beloved of God, it is right that we should treat each other as God has treated us. Paul says that God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. We know this is true because we can see the love and respect that exists in our community here at St Luke's. We give thanks to God for this grace God has given to us. We are not perfect, we still have a lot to learn, but God has begun a great work in us. Let us pray that we may be willing continue.