‘Tell everybody that I love them’
Andrew Collis
Funeral for Catherine (Cathie) Anne Harrison
(April 24, 1957 – December 18, 2024)
Philippians 4:4-9; John 15: 5,7-9
Paul’s letter to the Philippians is a letter of encouragement, joy and gratitude (eucharist). True joy, the imprisoned apostle says, comes from faith in Christ. His own imprisonment, he says, has led to the proclamation of the gospel.
Cathie said, “Tell everybody that I love them.”
Paul emphasises spiritual growth and encourages believers to “press on” toward their true calling in Christ/a, leaving behind past failures and achievements. The letter acknowledges the contributions of women in ministry, particularly Euodia and Syntyche, whom Paul describes as having “contended by my side in the cause of the gospel”, highlighting their active leadership roles.
Cathie said, “Tell everybody that I love them.”
A famous passage (Philippians 2:5-11) emphasises humility, mutual service and unity, values that challenge hierarchical structures. The hymn to Christ is a call to relational equality and mutual submission, aligning with Jesus’ model of self-emptying (kenosis) rather than dominance.
Cathie said, “Tell everybody that I love them.”
The theme of rejoicing in suffering (1:29, 4:4) may be viewed through a feminist lens to critique systems of oppression that have historically justified women’s suffering. It can also be reclaimed to highlight the agency, resilience and transformative faith of countless women and non-binary believers.
Cathie said, “Tell everybody that I love them.”
Paul’s letter is more than a little ambiguous. Underlying tensions – humility and glorification, subversion and affirmation of traditional authority, oppression and freedom – point to multiplicity and instability of meaning in the text.
The exhortation to rejoice, for instance, can simultaneously empower and obscure lived experiences. Complex situations, complex relationships.
Cathie knew about complexity.
Her vision for Mirrung Garden (Mirrung is a Gadigal word for “belonging”) comprises awareness of historical and perennial wrongs; exquisite trees, plants, flowers, creatures; estrangement and reconciliation; radical hospitality; reparations and celebrations … Just imagine – sandstone blocks removed from a crumbling colonial façade, now placed on the ground, now forming a circle for aunties and uncles to sit and yarn and sing …
Among the banana palms and poultry, of course … the tables, chairs, umbrellas … relentless weeding, and tidying of the shed …
Good books, the garden on Gadigal country itself a library for close reading … our thoughts directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, decent, admirable, virtuous or worthy of praise.
Cathie said, “Tell everybody that I love them.”
May we live according to what we have learned and accepted, what we have heard said and seen done. May the God of peace be with us. Amen.
