SERMON
Christ Church, St. Michael’s Parish
Advent I – 2015
Today, I celebrate my one-year anniversary as a member of the Christ Church family. I wish that I could say that it has been a wonderful year, filled with nothing but joy and harmony. But, unfortunately that is not the case.
That is not to say that there have not been joyful moments – there certainly have been many joyful moments, and many fascinating, spiritually uplifting and important conversations in our Bible Challenge, History of Christianity and lectio divina classes. Nor, would it be fair to say that all is in discord – that certainly is not the case. Many important ministries here at Christ Church are carried out by dedicated, fun-loving, faithful and hardworking parishioners.
However, overall, this year has been difficult – bumpy – challenging - not just for me but for many of us.
Personal and family illnesses and deaths; congregational challenges, including the upcoming period of transition as we seek a new rector; a non-stop and heartbreaking escalation of civil and world-wide violence that has resulted in tragic and senseless murders and massacres; a refugee crisis that surpasses that of World War II, and has now been called “the emptying of Syria”; and, a series of natural disasters that have left many homeless, bereft of possessions and memories collected over a lifetime of work and play.
I cannot help but think that all of us have been touched by one or more of these events. I cannot help but think that at least one if not several of these events has prompted many of us to reconsider our way of looking at the world and our way of considering our personal theology – our way of thinking about God – our way of living out our spiritual commitment to follow Jesus by living a life that has as its focus the Kingdom of God – not the kingdom of terrorism, not the kingdom of politics, not the kingdom of power and control – but, the Kingdom of God.
In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says boldly, “Strive first for the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” All of “these things” of course refers to the worldly needs such as money, food and clothing. Worldly things that all too frequently take possession of the lenses through which we see and live our life.
Staying on the path – keeping our eye focused on Jesus as we strive to belong to, and through belonging, bring to the world the Kingdom of God – is not easy. In fact, we would not be human if we did not question, did not falter in faith, did not have what I like to call theological crises from time to time – did not fall off the Kingdom of God path.
And, I believe that we all have a point at which we reach that says, “Enough.” A point at which we feel overwhelmed by inner turmoil and sadness that causes a profound pain. A pain that hangs on our heart and lingers there throughout the day and night. A pain that is associated with loss. A deep, inconsolable grief that takes one’s breath away and leaves you numb, tearful, confused and wondering – wondering. Just wondering…Where do I go from here? Where is God in this?
It is a times like this, times of profound pain and confusion that we are at risk of falling off the path – the path to the Kingdom of God.
For me, that penultimate event – that “enough,” was the November 13 massacre in Paris. Paris a city that I have visited many times – a city with a complex and tumultuous history – a city which is known and loved by many - and, of course, a city no more or no less important than any other city in the world.
The massacre in Paris was, for me, one straw too many. Somehow the images beaming through the various media reports brought a penetrating sadness into my heart and soul – a sadness that has not only to do with Paris, but a sadness that comes from watching and reading about murders and massacres on a regular basis – a sadness that grows daily as I watch the pain and desolation of millions of refugees who no longer have a home – no longer have a place to lay their head. A sadness that is ever emerging as daily our political system becomes increasingly polarized and fragmented. A sadness that for many the church has become irrelevant. That the God I love and who loves me and the rest of the world is not loved by so very many - anymore.
So, today when we read in Luke, “Jesus said: ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken,’ I cannot help but wonder if we should not be listening to his words of warning closely, very closely, for they sound quite like what is happening in our world today.
But then, Jesus, always the wise and passionate teacher, followed this challenge with a powerful command, “Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
He commanded his disciples to pay attention. He assured them that if they did pay attention to his teachings the possibility of salvation from all of these potential disasters was very real. He stated boldly that rescue, deliverance, and salvation in the face of disaster are always a possibility - if - if we “stay alert” to the reality that “The kingdom of God is near.”
The Kingdom of God is always right there for us. But, we have to seek it – open our hearts to it –commit to a life that is centered on following Jesus and traveling the road to the Kingdom of God.
Jesus’ teaching continues, “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day (the day of foreboding of what is coming upon the world) catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
For me, the salient phrase here is, “Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place…”
Be Alert - What better words to snap us back from periods of fear, sadness and confusion that have the power to distract us, to deter us, to muffle our ears, blind our eyes, and seal our heart against hearing Jesus and seeking God as we face our life challenges.
Be alert, be involved in the world, experience your feelings of sadness and grief, but don’t take your eyes off the road – don’t let your emotions drive your ears, your eyes, and your heart into a place of hiding and false comfort. Don’t get bogged down in your anger and despair.
In his “Letters and Papers from Prison” “Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “This is what I mean by worldliness– taking life in one’s stride, with all its duties and problems…It is in such a life that we throw ourselves utterly into the arms of God and participate in his sufferings in the world…The place where worldliness and spirituality meet is the place where the Christian faces life empowered with the grace and love of God.”
The combination of Jesus’ warning us to be alert, and Bonhoeffer’s teaching that effective disciples of Christ must throw themselves into the world and all of its challenges, while at the same time opening their minds and their hearts to the presence of God within them and in the world - that is essence of the work that must be done on this our Advent journey in 2015.
Reflecting on today’s gospel and Bonhoeffer’s wisdom, and having spent the past week in deep reflection and prayer, I am prepared to begin this year’s Advent journey and my second year at Christ Church with renewed energy.
The pain of my sadness has eased and made way for the God within me to shine once again. Free of my several weeks of self-absorbed sadness, I am empowered to get back on the road to the Kingdom of God despite the challenges of the world around me. I am ready to experience the joyful anticipation of the birth of Jesus and the thrilling energy that this incarnation – this incredible gift from God – will bring into our hearts and into our lives.
I am prepared to, like that shepherds of Luke’s gospel, follow the command to journey to the manger in Bethlehem where I know that I will find Jesus, the infant, whose light and life will lead me as I travel that rocky road to the Kingdom of God.
I pray that you all will join me - “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:15)
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