An Invitation to Rejoice and to Witness
Trinity Episcopal Church in Torrington, CT
The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Third Sunday of Advent Year B RCL
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be always acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. AMEN
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.[1]
Good morning. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the opportunity to be here with you, but I can tell you a story. Many years ago, when I was 16 or 17, I would ask for the car every Saturday night and drive to our parish church. I would let myself inside and climb into the pulpit and read the sermon left there that afternoon by the rector. I would deliver those sermons to the empty pews and literally ache for the privilege of preaching God’s Word to God’s People. Whether you know it or not, by being here today, (by being willing to participate in this retelling of the Gospel story), you are sharing with me and witnessing a great joy for me. Thank you so very much.
What better Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, to talk about rejoicing or giving thanks!
Our readings today are overflowing with words that witness God’s people rejoicing in all that God has done for them and by extension for us. One of the authors of Isaiah tells us:
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor…[2]
The author of third Isaiah, shares with us a calling preach Good News to those who are lowly and cast down and sees that prophetic calling as a source of joy:[3]
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.[4]
The people of Israel knew many reasons for celebration and rejoicing: the birth of children, the harvesting of a crop, delivery from illness or even victory over an enemy. Dan Harrington tells us that for the Israelites, “…the greatest source of joy is God’s action on behalf of [his] people.”[5] For us here today, the words of Isaiah are a balm: The promise that God will bring joy to those who are grieving. That God will release those shackled by oppression or addiction. Or simply God will show his presence to those who cannot remember a year where they felt favor or blessing.
In the Magnificat, Mary rejoices not only for the gift of a child, but also for the opportunity to be part of and a witness to the coming of the messiah. She not only will receive a son, but the world will gain one who will feed the hungry and bring forgiveness in a way that she could not have imaged when she said:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.[6]
Mary speaks of one who will offer mercy for everyone regardless of their place in the world or their economic status, or their place in society or the religious community.
The call to rejoice we hear this Sunday is continued in the words of St. Paul as he tells us:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you[7].
And later:
May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this[8].
Praying and giving thanks are among the highest callings defined by Paul for people of God and a pathway towards the coming of God.
And this brings us to the reading from the Gospel According to St. John. The gospel writer tells us of a man set apart, living a life divorced from the day to day life of the community and a life centered instead on relationship with God. John was not like many of the people of his day in many ways: He dressed differently, we are told – like a biblical caveman complete with skins. He ate locust and wild honey – that’s bugs to you and me. And he especially talked differently. He spoke in a prophetic voice that spoke of one who when he arrived, would turn the world upside down. John calls him the light and sees his role as one called to testify or witness to the light.
For John, the coming of the Lord was the greatest reason of all to rejoice – to make a straight the way of the Lord. For John the coming of the Lord was nothing less than the fulfillment of the promise of Isaiah that a messiah would come. With the coming of the messiah, John felt, all things would be set straight. Those who had lived righteously would be baptized with the Holy Spirit, and those who had chosen the path of unrighteousness or sin would be doomed to a baptism of fire. To be baptized by John in water was a clear statement that one had chosen and hoped to be blessed later with baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the immanent possibility of that baptism was a source of excitement and joy for the people who waded into the water with him.
Understandably, the leaders of the day wanted to know exactly who it was who was saying all of this. They asked John who he was, whether he was the messiah, or Elijah, or the prophet. They asked more questions than they got answers. What they heard was this:
He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said.[9]
These were not particularly comfortable words for the leaders of the day to hear. John’s actions of baptizing in the wilderness were non-traditional at best. His appearance was strange and his prophetic words seemed impossible, however strangely familiar.
The Jews, and the priests and Levites, had heard the rumors. They had seen the people making their way to the Jordan and coming home somehow changed. The folks in this story were sent out into the wilderness with a purpose: To witness what was happening and to make a determination about this self described witness to the light.
Our readings this morning are about more than rejoicing, they are also about witness. Isaiah gave witness to the coming of one who would overthrow the powers that had held so many captive for so long. Mary witnessed to growing presence of God in her body and in the world. Paul gave witness to the coming of our Lord. John told of the coming of one “who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal."
But this is not just a story about people who lived years ago. This is a story about us. What kind of witnesses will we make?
It is almost Christmas. We are gathered in a place were in eleven short days we will celebrate the coming of God into this broken and hurting world. We will give thanks for his birth, his life, and we will remember his death and resurrection. What kind of witnesses will we make?
· Some of us will be witnesses to his birth, and tell the story of his arrival in a stable because there was no room at the inn. We will pause for a moment and remember and cherish the arrival of peace on earth.
· Some of us will not be able to tell this story without thinking about the suffering that accompanied this time of joy. We will remember the shame of Joseph, the laborious pain of Mary, the fear of the Magi, the grief of parents and the suffering of the little boy-children who lost their lives as Jesus lived.
· Some of us will be so busy with the trappings of the season that we will forget to tell again the story. Our witness and our testimony will be lost in all the clutter around us.
· Some of us will hear the call of Isaiah to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners personally, and will pause for a moment to remember the one in whose name we work.
· Some of us will look to the miraculous story of Jesus birth, the miracle attributed to him and the accounts of his resurrection and question again what is real, what the truth is, and what the difference is.
· Some of us will be alone, with nobody to hear their retelling of the story.
· Some of us will chose not to be a witness. They will keep the story to themselves out of fear, or shame, or even an inability to find words to express the truth they know in their hearts.
We prayed in our collect this morning:
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us;
and …let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us…[10]
He will soon come among us to help us and to deliver us. Rejoice and give thanks.
What kind of witness will you make?
Amen.
[1] I Thessalonians 5:16 (NRSV)
[2] Isaiah 61 (NRSV)
[3] Harrington, Daniel S.J. Joyful Witnesses December 5, 2005, p.1
[4] Isaiah 61 (NRSV)
[5]Harrington, p. 1.
[6] Magnificat
[7] I Thessalonians
[8] I Thessalonians
[9]
[10] Collect of the Day, Advent III
The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Third Sunday of Advent Year B RCL
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be always acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. AMEN
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.[1]
Good morning. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the opportunity to be here with you, but I can tell you a story. Many years ago, when I was 16 or 17, I would ask for the car every Saturday night and drive to our parish church. I would let myself inside and climb into the pulpit and read the sermon left there that afternoon by the rector. I would deliver those sermons to the empty pews and literally ache for the privilege of preaching God’s Word to God’s People. Whether you know it or not, by being here today, (by being willing to participate in this retelling of the Gospel story), you are sharing with me and witnessing a great joy for me. Thank you so very much.
What better Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, to talk about rejoicing or giving thanks!
Our readings today are overflowing with words that witness God’s people rejoicing in all that God has done for them and by extension for us. One of the authors of Isaiah tells us:
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor…[2]
The author of third Isaiah, shares with us a calling preach Good News to those who are lowly and cast down and sees that prophetic calling as a source of joy:[3]
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.[4]
The people of Israel knew many reasons for celebration and rejoicing: the birth of children, the harvesting of a crop, delivery from illness or even victory over an enemy. Dan Harrington tells us that for the Israelites, “…the greatest source of joy is God’s action on behalf of [his] people.”[5] For us here today, the words of Isaiah are a balm: The promise that God will bring joy to those who are grieving. That God will release those shackled by oppression or addiction. Or simply God will show his presence to those who cannot remember a year where they felt favor or blessing.
In the Magnificat, Mary rejoices not only for the gift of a child, but also for the opportunity to be part of and a witness to the coming of the messiah. She not only will receive a son, but the world will gain one who will feed the hungry and bring forgiveness in a way that she could not have imaged when she said:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.[6]
Mary speaks of one who will offer mercy for everyone regardless of their place in the world or their economic status, or their place in society or the religious community.
The call to rejoice we hear this Sunday is continued in the words of St. Paul as he tells us:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you[7].
And later:
May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this[8].
Praying and giving thanks are among the highest callings defined by Paul for people of God and a pathway towards the coming of God.
And this brings us to the reading from the Gospel According to St. John. The gospel writer tells us of a man set apart, living a life divorced from the day to day life of the community and a life centered instead on relationship with God. John was not like many of the people of his day in many ways: He dressed differently, we are told – like a biblical caveman complete with skins. He ate locust and wild honey – that’s bugs to you and me. And he especially talked differently. He spoke in a prophetic voice that spoke of one who when he arrived, would turn the world upside down. John calls him the light and sees his role as one called to testify or witness to the light.
For John, the coming of the Lord was the greatest reason of all to rejoice – to make a straight the way of the Lord. For John the coming of the Lord was nothing less than the fulfillment of the promise of Isaiah that a messiah would come. With the coming of the messiah, John felt, all things would be set straight. Those who had lived righteously would be baptized with the Holy Spirit, and those who had chosen the path of unrighteousness or sin would be doomed to a baptism of fire. To be baptized by John in water was a clear statement that one had chosen and hoped to be blessed later with baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the immanent possibility of that baptism was a source of excitement and joy for the people who waded into the water with him.
Understandably, the leaders of the day wanted to know exactly who it was who was saying all of this. They asked John who he was, whether he was the messiah, or Elijah, or the prophet. They asked more questions than they got answers. What they heard was this:
He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said.[9]
These were not particularly comfortable words for the leaders of the day to hear. John’s actions of baptizing in the wilderness were non-traditional at best. His appearance was strange and his prophetic words seemed impossible, however strangely familiar.
The Jews, and the priests and Levites, had heard the rumors. They had seen the people making their way to the Jordan and coming home somehow changed. The folks in this story were sent out into the wilderness with a purpose: To witness what was happening and to make a determination about this self described witness to the light.
Our readings this morning are about more than rejoicing, they are also about witness. Isaiah gave witness to the coming of one who would overthrow the powers that had held so many captive for so long. Mary witnessed to growing presence of God in her body and in the world. Paul gave witness to the coming of our Lord. John told of the coming of one “who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal."
But this is not just a story about people who lived years ago. This is a story about us. What kind of witnesses will we make?
It is almost Christmas. We are gathered in a place were in eleven short days we will celebrate the coming of God into this broken and hurting world. We will give thanks for his birth, his life, and we will remember his death and resurrection. What kind of witnesses will we make?
· Some of us will be witnesses to his birth, and tell the story of his arrival in a stable because there was no room at the inn. We will pause for a moment and remember and cherish the arrival of peace on earth.
· Some of us will not be able to tell this story without thinking about the suffering that accompanied this time of joy. We will remember the shame of Joseph, the laborious pain of Mary, the fear of the Magi, the grief of parents and the suffering of the little boy-children who lost their lives as Jesus lived.
· Some of us will be so busy with the trappings of the season that we will forget to tell again the story. Our witness and our testimony will be lost in all the clutter around us.
· Some of us will hear the call of Isaiah to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners personally, and will pause for a moment to remember the one in whose name we work.
· Some of us will look to the miraculous story of Jesus birth, the miracle attributed to him and the accounts of his resurrection and question again what is real, what the truth is, and what the difference is.
· Some of us will be alone, with nobody to hear their retelling of the story.
· Some of us will chose not to be a witness. They will keep the story to themselves out of fear, or shame, or even an inability to find words to express the truth they know in their hearts.
We prayed in our collect this morning:
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us;
and …let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us…[10]
He will soon come among us to help us and to deliver us. Rejoice and give thanks.
What kind of witness will you make?
Amen.
[1] I Thessalonians 5:16 (NRSV)
[2] Isaiah 61 (NRSV)
[3] Harrington, Daniel S.J. Joyful Witnesses December 5, 2005, p.1
[4] Isaiah 61 (NRSV)
[5]Harrington, p. 1.
[6] Magnificat
[7] I Thessalonians
[8] I Thessalonians
[9]
[10] Collect of the Day, Advent III
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