Sermon: Christmas II RCL B - "Resolutions"

 

The Podcast can be found here.

 

Luke 2:15-21

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

It was a few days after Christmas and a woman was out with the masses at the local mall returning unwanted gifts and exchanging clothes that didn’t fit.  Only a week before she had been at this same mall with this same mass of people Christmas shopping with her two children. She had spent hours looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, along with hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves.

As she made her way through the crowded mall, she remembered how overwhelmed she had been feeling during this holiday season--overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every house-warming, baking (and tasting) all the holiday food and treats, as well as getting that perfect gift for every single person on her list. Of course, she was also mindful not to forget anyone on her card list, along with the pressure of making sure she responded to everyone who sent her a card, and getting them all off into the mail in ample time.  It had been chaotic then.. and it was chaotic now. 

When she had completed her last exchange – after waiting in line for over half and hour.. she finally made it to the elevator in the mall that would take her to the lower level parking lot where she knew there would be a line of cars just trying to get out of this madness… the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd inside, but she pushed her way in along with all her bags of stuff. When the doors closed, she couldn't take it anymore and stated to no-one, yet everyone, "Whoever started this whole Christmas business should be strung up and shot!"

From the back of the elevator, everyone heard a quiet, calm voice respond, "Don't worry – we’ve already crucified Him."… For the rest of the trip down the elevator, it was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop.

The holidays.. they have a tendency to make us crazy.  We can’t wait for them to get here and.. so often.. we can’t wait for them to be over… just for the record and so that you might plan ahead.. there are only 358 days until next Christmas.. and Santa is already checking his list.

In the midst of it all, we can forget what it was really all about… that ceramic baby Jesus in our nativity set becomes just one more thing we have to clean up, no longer representing the Son of God… No longer reminding us that the baby will grow up, only to be crucified thirty-three years later.

Coming directly on the heels of this celebration of the birth of our Savior is the big New Year’s celebration… New Year’s Day is the day we like to wipe the slate clean and give ourselves a fresh start… That fresh start often comes in the form of New Year’s resolutions... “Be it resolved that I will lose an additional twenty pounds this year.”… “Be it resolved that I will quit smoking this year.”… stop procrastinating… be more conscientious of the needs of others… learn to paint… take a trip… spend more time with my family… etc… etc… etc…But here is a question, “How badly do you really want to keep those resolutions?... How resolved are you?”

The great philosopher Plato’s mentor was Socrates. Plato thought Socrates was the wisest person of his time and he passionately desired to learn all of Socrates’ wisdom.

Legend has it that one day Socrates and Plato were walking down the beach deep in conversation and Plato had expressed to Socrates his desire to gain the wisdom and knowledge that Socrates had.  Socrates didn’t answer him, but instead said, “Walk with me into the ocean.”  So, they turned and walked into the sea together.

Now, in your imagination, picture that happening: Student and teacher, two of the greatest philosophers of history, striding into the surf side by side.

The water started out around their ankles, then rose up to their knees. As the water got higher Plato wondered to himself, “What is the lesson my master is trying to teach me?”

When the water was about shoulder height, Socrates asked Plato, “What is it exactly you want from me?”… “Knowledge,” Plato answered, at which point Socrates abruptly grabbed Plato’s head and pushed him down under the water… After a half a minute or so Socrates let Plato up and asked him again, “What is it you want?”… “Knowledge,” was Plato’s answer again.. at which point Socrates shoved him back down under the water…

After a time, when Plato ran out of air, he began to struggle to get his head above water. He punched and kicked and grabbed to get free, but Socrates was a strong man and held him down… at the last moment before Plato blacked out Socrates let him up again and asked that same simple question, “What is you want?”… Plato coughed and spluttered finally responded, “Air… I need air!”… Socrates calmly stated, “When you desire knowledge as much as you desired a breath of air, then you shall have it.”

We make our resolutions, but really.. how badly do we want them?... I suppose that Plato could have made a resolution… “Be it resolved that I will gain true knowledge this year,” but as Socrates so politely pointed out to him.. resolving to do something or having something is quite a bit more than saying you want it… In truth.. it’s really not a matter of wanting it – who doesn’t want to lose weight or be a better a person – Instead, its a matter of how badly do you want it… In the case of Plato and the knowledge he was seeking, in order to truly have it, Socrates said that he had to want it as much as he wanted air to breathe… as much as he wanted life itself… So how badly to you want to fulfill your resolutions?

And I wonder… if you make a resolution to live healthier.. regularly balance the checkbook.. quit swearing… and all that.. have you ever made a resolution to God?  “Be it resolved that I will love the Lord my God more deeply?”  “Be it resolved that my life will be a witness to His love.”  “Be it resolved that I will work to fulfill by Baptismal Covenant.”  “Be it resolved that I will accept His forgiveness.”… and if you make these resolutions to God, then how badly do you want them?

I resolve to love God.. as long as it’s convenient?  As long as it doesn’t really cost me anything?  I resolve to forgive others as I have been forgiven, except… except you know who!  I will seek to serve Christ in all persons.. as long as they are like me.  I resolve to faithfully continue in the fellowship and the breaking of bread.. as long as it fits in with my schedule… Or… do you want these things as much as you want air to breathe.. as much as you desire your very life?

The woman on the elevator who wanted to string up and shoot whoever came up with this Christmas business.. well we sometimes get that same attitude about this “Christian” business… It becomes just one more thing we have to do.  Church on Sunday.. Bible Study.. prayer.... fellowship.. it can all become hectic.. too much.. overwhelming.. we stand along side her in the elevator and say, “whoever came up with all this Christmas business?.. heck whoever came up with all this “Christian” business needs to be strung up and shot.”.. We get so busy that we forget… we get to thinking that its all about pot luck dinners.. vestry meetings.. choir practice.. youth programs.. etc.. etc.. etc… We get so busy that we forget that its about Jesus… about the baby in the manger… about His death on the cross for our salvation.  We forget that its about loving the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and soul.. and loving our neighbors as ourselves… we forget.. and you know, that’s OK.. but we must recall to ourselves what its really all about… we must wipe the slate clean and start over… we must resolve to once again live the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ… and you know.. that’s not something you do once a year… it is something you do every day. 

Make your resolutions to lose weight and all that, but make your resolutions to God as well.. and desire to fulfill them as much as you desire air to breathe.. as much as Jesus desires you.

Let us pray… O sacred and adorable Trinity, hear our prayers on behalf of our Bishop, our clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless, we beseech You, during the coming year, the whole Church; convert heretics and unbelievers; soften the hearts of sinners so that they may return to Your friendship; give prosperity to our country and peace among the nations of the world; pour down Your blessings upon our friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and upon our enemies, if we have any; assist the poor and the sick; have pity on the souls of those whom this year has taken from us; and do Lord be merciful to those who during the coming year will be summoned before Your judgment seat. May all our actions be preceded by Your inspirations and carried on by Your assistance, so that all our prayers and works, having been begun in You, may likewise be ended through You. Through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and in the Name of Your Son, Jesus, we ask these things.  Amen.

RIP: Mona Erickson

The obituary for Mona can be found here.

Sermon: Christmas Eve - "A Heart Like Yours"

The Podcast can be found here.

Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

A young woman was filling out an application to attend a very prestigious business school.  After completing the normal name, address, social security number questions she began working her way through the essay questions.  “Describe the most difficult situation you have had to overcome.”.. “Describe your method of problem solving.”… All of these came with the directions, “Answer in less than 250 words.”… however there was one question that she couldn’t come up with a good answer.  She avoided it until the end, but finally had to tackle it: “Are you a leader?”… Being both honest and conscientious, she eventually wrote one word for her 250 word answer… “Are you a leader?”…  "No," and returned the application, expecting the worst. To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: "Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower." (S. I. McMillen, in his book None of These Diseases)

On any given day you can read the news and discover that our world is fascinated with folks who are the famous and infamous.  We want to see how world leaders are solving the current mayhem.. and whether or not Egypt will solve its most recent crisis… but not only the important stuff.. we like to know why Tom Cruise jumped up and down on Oprah’s couch.. and whether or not Lindsay Lohan will actually serve any jail time… and my goodness we must know why Kim Kardashian got a divorce after only ten weeks… we are fascinated with these things and we keep watching and reading for the latest details.

Unlike these news makers.. the average man, woman or child – the followers never get so much attention.  The fella who put in the fifty hour work week, paid his bills on time, loved his wife, played with the kids and helped with housework never makes the news.  The single mom that works two jobs, sees to it that her child gets to school on time and has what they need.. is never going to be a story on CNN.  The child that worked hard and finally got that passing grade in math will not be the Time magazine person of the year.

We look at the world around us and we say that these folks up here are the ones that matter.. and these down here – that is, the rest of us – are the followers, the not so significant.  We don’t live in big cities, there are no paparazzi trying to take our pictures, and most likely, if we are going to have a seven digit income we are going to have to count the two numbers after the decimal point.

Unfortunately we have a tendency to look at our life with God in the same way.  We look at the folks like St. Francis and Mother Teresa.. the Popes and the Bishops.. those rare saintly priest – like me for example – and we think that as far as the things of God are concerned.. those are the ones that really matter… and the rest of us.. we’re not leaders.. we’re the followers.. the not so significant in the eyes of God… If God is going to move.. to reveal himself.. it will be to one of them.. not to one of us.

… there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them… The angel of the Lord did not come to kings, presidents, Lady Gaga or any other celebrities.. The angel did not come to the Roman governor.. the Temple leaders or any of the movers and shakers to announce the birth of the Lord.. The angel came to sheep herders… sheep herders!

What do we know about this Jesus who these sheep herders went to see?  He was born in an obscure village in an obscure country.. the child of a peasant woman... he grew up in another small village.. he worked as a carpenter for most of his life with only three years as an itinerant preacher.. He never wrote a book… or had an office.  He never had a family or owned a home… never went to college.. or to a big city – for that matter he never traveled more than two hundred miles from where He was born… Yet the world has never been the same.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “God becomes human out of love for humanity.  God does not seek the most perfect human being with whom to be united, but takes on human nature as it is.”.. as it is.

During this season of Advent we have been talking about the Incarnation.  God becoming flesh. And we have talked about living Incarnational lives.. that is.. continually putting flesh on God in this world.  Making Him known through word and actions.  But so often we mistakenly think that in order to do this we must be some kind of super Christian.. leading the perfect, sinless life… but that’s not true. God used a young girl. A Carpenter.  Shepherds.  Fishermen.  Tax collectors.  Prostitutes… For crying out loud God even used a dead guy - Lazarus.  They were followers.. These were ordinary people living ordinary lives and they too changed the world. The baby lying in the manger was not born for ivory towers and silver tea sets. He was born for hearts like theirs. He was born for a heart like yours. 

The angel of the Lord said to the shepherds… "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people… for all the people.. to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.".. the manger where Christ was born existed 2,000 years ago.. and it exists today… but today that manger is not in some far off land.  Today.. that manger is within you.. it is within each and everyone of you… as you are.. as you are.

Scripture says, One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?”  Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs.  You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is within you.”… the Kingdom of God.. the manger.. the place where God desires to be born is within you… It is within you so that he might be made known to you.. and to the world.

You may never be a mover and shaker in the world who changes the course of history.. or some fashionista that Joan Rivers is going to critique.. but in the eyes of God.. you are worth so much more… you are worth more than life itself… and He desires to be joined to you.. born within you… There was no room for him at the inn… will you make room for him in your heart?

Let us pray… Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.  We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.  We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.  We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.  We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.  We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”  Amen.

Newsletter - December 2011

Ecclesiophobia

As Christmas Day approached, Little Johnny was being particularly helpful around the house, helping his mom with the household chores and even assisting in preparing the evening meal.  Little Johnny’s mom knew that this sudden interest in housework had more to do with her subtle reminder of a Christmas stocking full of coal and switches for bad little boys than it did in Johnny’s desire to be overly domestic, but she was happy for the help.  So, when he asked to help in baking some peanut butter cookies, she told him to run down to the basement and get a new jar peanut butter.  Wide-eyed, Johnny responded "But it's dark in there Mummy!" "Don't worry honey,” she said, “Jesus is going to be down there with you!" Little Johnny reluctantly walked to the basement door and peered down the steps.  Whispering into the darkness he said, "Jesus, if you’re down there would you please bring me up a jar of peanut butter?"

From fear of the dark to the fear of a mouse we all have our little phobias.  Some are rational and others not so much.  One particular fear that I encounter in others is ecclesiophobia – a fear of churches.  Truly!  And it is not as rare as you would think.  I suppose there are many reasons for such a fear, but what it often boils down to is a fear of acceptance.  Have you ever said, “If I stepped foot in that church the roof would collapse?”  Have you ever been around a group of Christians and thought if they really knew who you were they would probably burn you at the stake?  Have you broken so many of the “rules” (maybe you think that you are still breaking them) that you believe there is no point in even trying?  If you have thought things such as this, or anything like it, then perhaps its time to think again.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (they hung him in a Nazi concentration camp because he was involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler) once wrote, “For those who are great and powerful in this world, there are two places where their courage fails them, which terrify them to the very depths of their souls, and which they dearly avoid, these are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ.”  It is a fearful thing to approach God.  It takes courage and humility.  It takes a willingness to accept your own brokenness and an understanding of your need for a Savior, but when you arrive… you discover grace. 

Grace.  Grace is God’s way of saying, “I love you.  I love you, not because of who you are, but in spite of who you are.  I love you.” 

This Christmas, set aside your fear and step into the manger.  You won’t be struck by lightning.  You will be loved by God.

Sermon: Advent IV - "The Incarnation, Pt. 4 (Man on a Necklace)"

The podcast can be found here.

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

A man enters the Confessional box.  He notices on one side a fully equipped bar with Guinness on tap.  On the other wall is a dazzling array of the finest Cuban cigars… Then the priest comes in.  "Father, forgive me, for it's been a very long time since I've been to Confession, but I must first admit that the Confessional box is much more inviting these days."…  The priest replies, "Get out.....you're on my side."

It is quite interesting being a priest.  You see the world from a different angle, because so often folks want you to see their “good side.”  It is not too often that when you are all dressed up in a clerical collar that you can meet someone for the first time and come away actually knowing much about them.  There are those rare occasions when someone begins talking and it seems they’ve lost the “off” switch, but for the most part it comes down to respectful pleasantries.  You also get various reactions from people as you walk along.  There’s always some who give you a hearty, “Hello, Father,” but there are others that avert their eyes.. they don’t want to be seen by a priest or they have a certain disdain for clergy to the point that they won’t even recognize you as a person.

Some priests don’t think that it is necessary to walk around looking like a priest, but I do, whether the world accepts it or not.  It is a way of constantly reminding folks that there is another way. 

Of all the looks you get along the way, the oddest ones come from folks who have never really seen a priest up close.  They give you more than the once over and particularly stare at the dog collar.  I mention this because I got this certain look earlier in the week while around several youth in their early teens.  A girl – maybe fourteen – looked at me and my collar, then noticed the crucifix that I wear.  Her eyes lit up a bit as she leaned in for a closer look.  “Nice necklace,” she said, “it has a man on it.”… “It has a man on it.”  Now.. it is one thing to not really know much about priest, but this girl .. this fourteen year old girl.. did not know that this man on my necklace was Jesus… She didn’t know the story or anything about it.  Her friend sitting next to her looked up and said, “Oh, that’s God” and I was thankful for her input, because at the time I was a bit too flummoxed to say anything. 

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."… His name will be Jesus.. he will be great.. son of the Most High.. David’s ancestor.. he will reign forever.. he will be.. a man on a necklace.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “For those who are great and powerful in this world, there are two places where their courage fails them, which terrify them to the very depths of their souls, and which they dearly avoid, these are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ.”… but there will be no fear of the Lord as long as he remains a man on a necklace… He must move in the world, He must call people to righteousness, but not only call, He must also be heard.  His message must not only proclaim another way, but demonstrate that other way through lives changed, the hungry fed, the lame healed, and the blind given their sight… This man on a necklace must take on flesh and blood.. and as we said last week.. this man on a necklace WILL take on flesh and blood through you.. through you living incarnationally, by you bringing God into the world through your words and deeds.

How do we make such a transfiguration in our own lives.. going from simply being holy observers of the world around us to incarnational disciples intentionally putting flesh on God?.. I like St. Josemaria’s answer, “don’t fly like a barnyard hen when you can soar like an eagle.”.. it takes courage, but that courage is within you.  As he says again, “Courage!  You can!  Don’t you see what God’s grace did to that sleepy, cowardly Peter, who had denied him… to that fierce, relentless Paul, who had persecuted him?”  To go from observer to incarnational disciple requires that you intone the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary.. The words that she spoke on the day that the angel of the Lord came and visited her, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.".. but we must not only intone those words.. we must also allow them to breathe life into us… a life filled with the Holy Spirit of God and live out our Baptismal Covenant.

The Blessed Virgin Mary was probably about fourteen when she said “Yes” to God – about the same age as the girl who liked my necklace with the man on it – but it was Mary’s “Yes” that changed all of creation.  It was her participation in the incarnation of God that gave God flesh and blood in this world.  It is your “Yes” to God that continues this great work.. that continues God’s incarnation.

I’m not preaching works – what we do for God – over faith, but there must be action behind our words.  Brennan Manning writes in The Rabbi’s Heartbeat, “The Christian commitment is not an abstraction.  It is a concrete, visible, courageous, and formidable way of being in the world forged by daily choices consistent with inner truth.  A commitment that is not visible in humble service, suffering discipleship, and creative love – or as in the language we’ve been using.. ‘a live that is not living incarnationally’ – is an illusion.  Jesus Christ is impatient with illusions, and the world has no interest in abstractions.”  As Manning says in this work and also in the Ragamuffin Gospel that we’ve been studying, “If you want to know what a person really believes, don’t just listen to what he says, watch what he does.”… and don’t kid yourself, the world is watching… just like they watch someone wearing a clerical collar, they also watch someone who claims to be a Christian.  Many will watch so that they can find fault and criticize, but many others will watch because there is something within you, that they would like in their own lives… Show it to them.  Show them the Incarnate Son of God.  Show them Jesus.

We have much to do as long as people only see Jesus as a man on a necklace… therefore, say to the Lord, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.".. and then.. “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus has commanded us. And surely He is with us always, to the very end of the age.”

Let us pray… Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.  We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.  We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.  We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.  We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.  We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”  Amen.

Sermon: Advent III - "The Incarnation, Pt. 3"

The podcast of this sermon can be found here.

St. Josemaria Escriva.. saying #299 from The Way… “Christ died for you.  You… what should you do for Christ?”

Juan Carlos Ortiz tells the story of a young man who found a beautiful pearl for sale in a shop.  He says to the clerk, "I want this pearl. How much is it?"

"Well," the seller says, "it's very expensive." "But, how much?" he ask. "Well, a very large amount."

"Do you think I could buy it?" "Oh, of course, everyone can buy it." "But, didn't you say it was very expensive?" "Yes." "Well, how much is it?" "Everything you have," says the seller.

He makes up his mind, "All right, I'll buy it," he says. "Well, what do you have?" The seller wants to know. "Let's write it down."

"Well, I have ten thousand dollars in the bank." "Good--ten thousand dollars. What else?" "That's all.. That's all I have… Well, I have a few dollars here in my pocket." "How much?"  He starts digging. "Well, let's see--thirty, forty, sixty, eighty, a hundred, a hundred twenty dollars." "That's fine. What else do you have?" "Well, nothing. That's all."

"Where do you live?" He's still probing. "In my house. Yes, I have a house." "The house, too, then." He writes that down. "You mean I have to live in my camper?" "You have a camper? That, too. What else?" "I'll have to sleep in my car!" "You have a car?" "Two of them." "Both become mine, both cars. What else?"

"Well, you already have my money, my house, my camper, my cars. What more do you want?" "Are you alone in this world?" "No I have a wife and two children....." "Oh, yes, your wife and children, too. What else?" "I have nothing left! I am left alone now."

Suddenly the seller exclaims, "Oh, I almost forgot! You yourself, too! Everything becomes mine--wife, children, house, money, cars—and you too."

The life of St. Francis of Assisi is well known… he grew up as the son of a very wealthy merchant.  He had it all, but one day he hears the voice of God, “Francis, go and repair my church, which is falling into ruins.”  Francis believes that the Lord is speaking of one specific church building, so he goes and renounces his father’s wealth and returns to repair the church.  In truth, God was calling Francis to repair THE Church.. renew it.. give it all for God… and so he did.  By the time Francis was in his thirties there were over 5,000 men following him in preaching the Gospel across Europe.. and it was largely through their efforts that Christendom was restored.

In the midst of this work.. some wonderful stories arose about Francis.  One story tells of a time in Spoleto that a man afflicted with a horrible disfiguring facial cancer came to him seeking prayers.  When he met Francis he was about to throw himself at his feet, but Francis prevented him, and instead kissed the man’s face.. which was immediately healed.  Remarking on this event, St. Bonaventure writes, “I know not which I ought to wonder at, such a cure.. or such a kiss.”  Author Michael D. O’Brien writes on Bonaventure’s insight saying, “Which was the greater miracle, the suspension of natural law for the sake of physical healing, or the conversion of the human heart by absolute love?”

These past few weeks we have been speaking of the incarnation – God becoming flesh/man and have reached several conclusions.. first, this incarnation of God is not understandable in words and theories, but in witnessing its effects.  We have understood that the incarnation was God’s way of literally and physically placing His arms around us and assisting us in taking one faltering step after another.. and finally last week we discussed the fact that the incarnation was God’s way of redeeming all humankind.. It is our salvation… but the mystery of the incarnation continues to unfold, because the incarnation is not a single event in time, but is instead an ongoing revelation… the incarnation is you – it is your response to Josemaria’s statement and question, “Christ died for you.  You… what should you do for Christ?”

It is called incarnational living.. living in a way that continuously puts flesh on God… That constantly reveals God’s very nature to the world, not just in words and sentiments.. but in deeds and actions.  No, you are not going to earn your salvation.. that is not what its about.  You are simply going to live as Jesus did… St. Augustine writes, “You are the Body of Christ. In you and through you the work of the incarnation must go forward. You are to be taken. You are to be blessed, broken and distributed, that you may be the means of grace and vehicles of eternal love.” 

The incarnation is God wrapping his arms of love around you and helping you take one faltering step after another… you too have arms, so you – living incarnationally – will wrap your arms around another and help them to take one faltering step after another.  The incarnation was God redeeming all flesh, but you are his messengers.. you are the bringers of that Good News… God calls on us to be the miracle…

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “A truth, a doctrine, or a religion need no space for themselves. They are disembodied entities. They are heard, learnt, and apprehended, and that is all. But the incarnate son of God needs not only ears or hearts, but living people who will follow him. That is why he called his disciples into a literal, bodily following, and thus made his fellowship with them a visible reality.  Having been called they could no longer remain in obscurity, they were the light that must shine, the city on the hill which must be seen.”

“Christ died for you.  You… what should you do for Christ?”

God calls on us – like He did Francis – to live incarnationally.. to give it all to him, to kiss the diseased face of humanity, to love unconditionally and without fear, and to repair his church which is falling into ruin.

Some will say that its asking too much to give it all up.. but remember the young man who paid everything for the pearl.. after he had struck the deal.. the owner of the shop said to him… "Now listen--I will allow you to use all these things for the time being. But don't forget that they are mine, just as you are. And whenever I need any of them you must give them up, because now I am the owner."… the same is true of becoming a disciple of Jesus and living out that incarnational life.. we give it all to Him.. and He – in turn – gives it all back to us to use, to enjoy, to find happiness, to love.. with the one stipulation.. everything.. including our very lives belongs to him.

Others will say that it is too daunting of a task.. to love in such a way.. to give in such a way.. to kiss that diseased face... and they will turn away for fear of failure… In our Bible Study this week the movie Coach Carter came up and it has stuck with me this week.  The basketball players are asked by the coach, “What is your biggest fear?”.. at first they can’t answer.. then one of them discovers the truth.. He answers, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

“Christ died for you.  You… what should you do for Christ?”… What should you do for Christ?... What should you NOT do for Christ?

Let us pray… Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.  We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.  We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.  We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.  We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.  We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”  Amen.

Sermon: Advent II - "The Incarnation, Pt. 2"

The podcast can be found here.

Mrs. Adeline LaRoux would often speed excessively as she drove between New Orleans and Lafayette, but it wasn’t until she was 95 years old that she got stopped for speeding for the first time.  A Louisiana State Trooper stopped her doing 87 in a 75.  The Trooper was a bit shocked to see her age, but even more so when he noticed that she held a concealed weapon carry permit. He asked her, “Got any guns with you today, Ma’am?” She answered, “Yes, Sir. I have a 45 Smith & Wesson in the glove compartment.”  “Is that so,” he asked with a smile, “any other.”  “Well, since you asked, I’ve got a 357 Magnum in the console and a 38-Special in my purse.” Shaking his head, the trooper said, “Mrs. LaRoux, what are you scared of?” Turning slightly in her seat and looking up at him sweetly, she replied…… “WHY.. NOT A DAMN THING!”

There are all sorts of interesting folks in this world.  Not all, but most are worth meeting.  They have great stories.. interesting adventures.. some make you laugh and others warm your heart.  There are folks who are quick to lend a hand or an ear.. and still others that would give you the shirt off their backs if you were in need.. and there are a few grandmothers who pack a little bit more than Juicy Fruit Gum in their purses… but in all your dealings with the world.. meeting those that cross your path.. have you ever come across Jesus?  Ever caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of your eye.. or saw him in on a crowded street, only to lose sight of him around the next corner?  Would you like to come face-to-face with Him?  Not everyone wants to.. but if you did.. then why?

We are told in John’s Gospel.. Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival.  They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”  Why did they want to see him?  People have always wanted to see Jesus.. to talk to him.. ask questions.. but mostly it was – and still is – to see what he can do… And not only what He can do, but what He can do for them… It seems that so often people want to see Jesus.. to have contact with him.. NOT for who he is, but instead.. they wanted to see him for what he could do for them.

I remember Herod’s Song from Jesus Christ Superstar.. Jesus, I am overjoyed to meet you face to face. You've been getting quite a name all around the place.  Healing cripples, raising from the dead.  And now I understand you're God, At least, that's what you've said.  So, you are the Christ, you're the great Jesus Christ.  Prove to me that you're divine; change my water into wine.  That's all you need do, then I'll know it's all true…. Prove to me that you're no fool; walk across my swimming pool…. Feed my household with this bread. You can do it on your head.

.. and this was no big secret to Jesus.. He knew why most of the people were coming after him… after the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus went to the other side of the lake.. and they searched him out, When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”  Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.”  You looked for me not because of who I am, but for what I can do for you.

Now if I were to meet Jesus I would not be so trivial as to ask him to turn water into wine.  No.. we would have some great theological discussion on the real presence in the Eucharist.. the Holy Trinity.. Atonement theories.. and the likes… we would spend hours together in silent contemplative prayer.. writing new Psalms.. and accurately translating the original Greek and Hebrew texts of the Bible….. who am I kidding – I would probably ask him what the winning numbers of the Powerball Lottery were going to be… and why do dogs eat grass.

I still contend that when we read the Bible we are all pretty much like the Pharisee in the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector in the Temple praying.  The Pharisee says, “I’m glad I’m not like that poor schmuck”.. and the tax collector says, “I’m not worthy”… We think we would never act like those in the Bible.. Peter denying Jesus.. the people clamoring around for healings.. food.. miracles.. we say with the Pharisee.. I’m glad I’m not like them.. but in truth.. we are… We do the same things… if there is a God.. then why doesn’t he do something about all these wars.. AIDS.. cancer.. divorce.. why does he allow the pedophiles to roam the streets and the children to die of starvation?  Why won’t he do something about all this?  And that’s just the world around us… what about me?  I could use a better job… Heck, I could use a job… Heal me.. feed me.. give me just one thing I ask for.

The Incarnation of God – God becoming man/flesh – has a Name.. and that Name is Immanuel… “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).  Immanuel – God with us – NOT.. God with us to do all the stuff we ask Him to do.  If God appeared to you while you were standing in front of the lottery machine, told you to enter the numbers to win, and you ended up winning umpteen million dollars – would you love Him more? Or would you go about the business of spending umpteen million dollars?  If God fed you for breakfast.. would you go away satisfied with a thankful heart.. or would you be trying to figure out where he would be serving lunch?  If God saved you in the face of imminent death, would you – for the rest of your life – would you spend more time in prayer and study of His Holy Word.. or would you say, “Phew.. that was a close one,” and go about your business?

Jesus was born in a stable, not with umpteen million dollars stuffed in a mattress, but straw that may or may not have been completely sanitary.  Jesus spent forty days and nights in the desert with no food, not being handed everything on a silver platter.  Jesus – faced imminent death – died upon the cross at the age of thirty-three and no one saved him.  These things tell us that the Incarnation is not about God paving the paths we walk in gold…

The Incarnation.. God becoming Man.. Immanuel.. is God with us “always, even unto the end of the age.”  It is God with us in our poverty – poverty of flesh and poverty of spirit.  It is God with us nourishing our souls with His Body and Blood even when our stomachs rumble for bread. It is God with us as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death and come out on the other side in His glorious Kingdom… God became flesh so that He might redeem all flesh.. as St. Athanasius writes, God “became what we are.. so that we might become what He is.”… “the Word of God came in person, so that, being the image of the Father, he would be able to recreate humanity afresh in that image.”.. that is why God is with us.

The picture on the front of your bulletin… It didn’t come out perfectly clear.. but the image on the right is the back of a man’s head and he is wearing a hat… in front of him is an image of Jesus.  You may think that the man is studying a painting or drawing of Jesus, but in truth.. he is looking into a mirror… That is the Incarnation – You.. looking into a mirror.. and seeing a child of God.

Let us pray… Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.  We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.  We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.  We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.  We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.  We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”  Amen.