First Sunday After Christmas: The Word, Light, and Grace

Today's Scripture Verses


Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (NRSV)

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.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise

to spring up before all the nations.

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,

and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,

until her vindication shines out like the dawn,

and her salvation like a burning torch.

The nations shall see your vindication,

and all the kings your glory;

and you shall be called by a new name

that the mouth of the LORD will give.

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,

and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Psalm 147 (BCP., p804)



Galatians 3:23-25, 4:4-7 (NRSV)

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

John 1:1-18 (NRSV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

Blog Reflection

Once again, Christmas Day passed us five days ago.  The stores and malls are not playing their endless round of "holiday" music.   If you heard Maria Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" as much as I did, you, like me, might be happy we are not listening to it anymore.  At least until next November 1st.  Many Christmas trees are already out on the street corner to be picked up.

As for churches that follow a Liturgical Calendar, the Christmas Season continues until January 6th, the Epiphany.  It is not uncommon for us to get questions like: "Um, dude, Christmas is over.  Put the carols away until next year?"   So, why not do that?

We would not put them away now, because the Christmas Season is not one holiday long.  It is an event through which the God who made everything through the Word, became one like us in Jesus Christ.   The story of Jesus Christ entering into our human existence as God with us.  Emmanuel.  God being helpless, vulnerable, in need of protection, nurturing and susceptible to everything you and I are.   Jesus was not even totally safe from the possibility of being killed with the other Holy Innocents, had Mary and Joseph not fled to Egypt with Him.  His arrival was not good news for everyone.   He had His enemies and skeptics all waiting for Him.

It is easy to look back on the people of that time and wonder what in the world was wrong with them.  However, as Marcus Borg wrote in Jesus: A New Vision we only know Him from a post-resurrection point of view.  The historical Jesus is as hidden a mystery to our limited understanding in 2013 as He was to those who knew Him in His own time.  What we do know about Jesus is that He was the Word who brought Light and the Grace of God into our world.   Because Jesus was God's perfect revelation of God's Self.  

Maybe people put Christmas away immediately after December 25th, because Christians have yet to show them how the Word is present now in our time.  As we hear the news that Christianist missionaries are transporting the hate towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to places like Russia, Uganda, other countries, how can people possibly believe in the Word made Flesh?   Why believe in God coming to us in Christ?  

Why believe in the Christmas Story, with Christians celebrating the Americans who will lose their unemployment benefits in only a few short days?

Returning to Uganda for a moment, the Anglican Bishop of Uganda celebrates the passage of the "kill the gays bill".   Amazing that a Bishop in our Anglican Communion celebrates the passing of a bill, that is a new massacre of LGBT people.   How are we to properly celebrate Christmas with that kind of talk?

In the Incarnate Word, Jesus does not promise to end all injustice, oppression and violence.  It would have been great if that would have happened.  However, Jesus came as God with us, to show that God walks with us in Him as we by the power of the Holy Spirit, do what Jesus would do in situations like what we are seeing today.  In the Gospels, Jesus showed us how to welcome the stranger, have mercy on the oppressed and love the one whom others consider unlovable.  Jesus told us that the Kingdom of God had come in Him, and in Him, it is possible for God to do so much to change the world for the better.   All God asks of us in this Christmas Season is to let Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh be reborn in us today, tomorrow and in the New Year 2014 so that we may help make the Christmas mystery ever present and real in our world.

Perhaps we can show others why we sing Christmas Carols another week is such a good idea. When we have compassion on those who live with addictions, mental illness or are  homeless, poor and needy.  In our singing of Joy to the World, may the Lord come and show His love through us.  May we gladly receive Him and share His love with others, because we speak up to end the violence towards women, education, workers and those who are in need of food stamps and immigration reform.   Let every heart prepare room for God among us, as Christians live the meaning of the story of how Jesus Christ, the Word with Light and Grace transforms the world around us, because we who believe in Him, let His Light cast off the darkness.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of
your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our
hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p.213).

Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed
for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one:
Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and
obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit,
that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your
Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p.255).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.260).

Fourth Day of Christmas: The Holy Innocents and the Wounded Knee Massacre

Today's Scripture Reading

Matthew 2:13-18 (NRSV)

When the wise men had departed, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

"A voice was heard in Ramah,

wailing and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be consoled, because they are no more."

Blog Reflection

I often wish I did not know about this Holy Day in our Church calendar.  I want the night before Christmas back with the beauty of the expected coming of the Christ Child, the music, the singing, the sermon about Emmanuel, God with us.

I do not get to chose what is in the history of the Christian Church. I know.  I know. I am free to do whatever I want with my religion.  Except that if I do that and pass up what the Holy Innocents is about, I am not being true to who I am as a gay Episcopalian and a Benedictine.

We remember today with great horror and"why, O God" that King Herod slaughtered every male child up to two years old, because he was afraid that the new born King was going to supplant him.  This is one scene that Franco Zeffirelli brought home in the Anglo/Italian mini series Jesus of Nazareth depicted with drama that almost makes me sick to my stomach.   The screaming amidst the brutality of Herod's warriors putting these babies to the sword and the weeping mothers as the streets are literally filled with blood is heart wrenching. 

As in past years, I write today about this Holy Day, and the Wounded Knee Massacre that took place 123 years ago today.  A date that is oddly the same as remembering the Holy Innocents.  Native Americans were slaughtered during the Wounded Knee Massacre with the same kind of brutality that killed the Holy Innocence back in Bethlehem.  The Wounded Knee Massacre is as much a Holy Innocence killing as it is an example of the lack of hospitality that actually destroyed the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.   It wasn't homosexuality, as some still insist.

Both of these horrible massacres are the result of political maneuvering for the purpose of safe guarding a sense of insecurity on the part of a King and a government that just cannot allow something that they cannot understand, to roam freely and complete the purpose for which they exist.

When we read about incidents like these, our first question naturally is "where was God?"  If God is so Divine and Omni-present and Almighty, why didn't God intervene here?

I cannot answer that question in a way that would make sense. The violence we recall on a day like this, just does not make sense.

What also does not make sense is how so-called "pro-life" people make use of the horrible events we remember today to shame women about abortion.  It is a terrible abuse of pastoral and religious authority to use this day on women who are so often victimized by men in cases of rape and sexual assault. Women who are experiencing complications with their reproductive organs and need to make a decision about the fetus and the consequences she will face socially if she decides to abort, don't need reminders of how painful such a decision is.  Yet, many "pro-lifers" insist on using this day to pile on the guilt.

Days like this can also be a reminder of how Christianists and others who still use the Bible to condemn lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; particularly youth.  LGBT and questioning youth who are trying to understand who they are and why they are so different from others who don't have these feelings in side of them that they are so afraid of.  They hear messages about how "As a Christian, I believe with all my heart that homosexuality is wrong." (See the movie For the Bible Tells Me So for the quote).  The innocence of a pure heart that wants to love herself/himself the way they are and know there is a place for them and God in this world, gets violated as Christianist Pastors invade their sacred spaces.  This too is it's own form of a massacre.

How can the Christ Child of Bethlehem heal our broken relationships on a day like this?

I think we have to begin by allowing the Christ Child to help us understand what is in our own hearts.  All of us have those things that we think give us a sense of self security.  We all have that someone that we want out of our way so we can do as we please.  There is someone some where that scares our sense of self sufficiency to the point where we just have to do our political maneuvering.  If we are not careful, those feelings can drive us to an emotional violence towards someone whom we just hate so much, that we just cannot let them be who they are.

Jesus comes in the Word made flesh, full of grace and truth to help us know that the Light of God shines into those dark places within our hearts and souls.  That Light comes with love and grace to deliver us from our own sense of feeling like the hate that is in our hearts for someone else just cannot be changed or healed. God tells us that it is okay to let go. God tells us that it is okay that we let that individual who is between God and our personal salvation go and be who they are.  We don't have to change them.  We don't have to like them.  We don't even have to be their new best friend.  We also do not have to harbor that prejudice and hurt that harms ourselves on their account.  The Christ Child says; It's okay to let go.

Today's commemoration of the Holy Innocents teaches us that though we may not feel or see God in the midst of the horrible things that happen; we can be part of the solution if we are willing to let Jesus change our hearts and lives.  We can allow LGBT people, women, Native Americans, Muslims, Jews, immigrants and so forth seek to live their lives in peace with all of us.  In that peace there there is no need for political maneuvering.  Because God in Christ takes these horrible events and uses them to change communities and all humankind if only we will let God's Light shine through the darkness.

Amen.


Prayers

We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy
innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray,
into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your
great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish
your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the
Holy Spirit,, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Holy Innocents, Book of Common Prayer, page 238).

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know
you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend
us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that
we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of
any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Prayer for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, page 99).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, page 815).

Third Day of Christmas: St. John the Evangelist and Apostle

Today's Scripture Readings

Exodus 33:18-23 (NRSV)

Moses said to God, "Show me your glory, I pray." And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, `The LORD'; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," he said, "you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live." And the LORD continued, "See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen."

Psalm 92 (BCP., 720)


1 John 1:1-9 (NRSV)

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 21:19b-24 (NRSV)

Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me."

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"

This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.

Blog Reflection

From the tractates on the first letter of John by Saint Augustine.

Now this Word, whose flesh was so real that he could be touched by human hands, began to be flesh in the Virgin Mary's womb; but he did not begin to exist at that moment.  We know this from what John says: What existed from the beginning.  Notice how John's letter bears witness to his Gospel, which you just heard a moment ago: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.

Someone might interpret the phrase the Word of life to mean a word about Christ, rather than Christ's body itself which was touched by human hands.  But consider what comes next: and life was revealed. Christ therefore is himself the Word of life. (Liturgy of the Hours, Volume I, Advent Season, Christmas Season, p. 1267).

John and Augustine give us a very special picture of Jesus.  Jesus is not just someone who existed in history.  Jesus is so much more than a story told.  Jesus is God made visible and tangible to humankind in the Word made Flesh.  That tangibility requires faith to be guided to seeing and touching Christ in the various ways by which Jesus is made known.

John knows that what he proclaims about Christ is and was from the beginning, and even now exists, and will forever be.  This much we pray every time we pray Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.   It is more than a prayer of Faith as in what we believe, it is by this prayer that the Psalms and Canticles become the prayers of Christ himself. 

All of this may seem like theological stuff, but it is in fact more than that.  St. John the Evangelist wrote in both the Gospel attributed to him, and the three letters also said to be from him, the important place of love within the Christian life.  The Love for Christ, from Christ to us, and from us to Christ in others.   St. John makes it very clear that the worship of God in Christ finds it's meaning and tangibility when love is the reason and purpose of all we do, in the Name of Christ.

We can spend all of our time talking about restoring the world to a place of justice, equality with freedom from oppression and prejudice.  But, until we see that it is for the love of Christ that Christians must take their place and work towards these, the work of the Gospel will remain unfinished.  The Nativity of Christ of which we are still celebrating is just a really fancy bed time story.  It really is only meant for one time of the year.  As for the rest of the year, we are all on our own.  We left Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds etc at the manger in Bethlehem, but forgot to join Jesus as he walked with the Cross weighing him down and draining him of all life, because it just made us too uncomfortable.

St. John the Evangelist wrote about how real God was to him.   Today, Jesus invites all of us to make God real in our lives.   We are given the opportunity to make God tangible through Christ by our prayers and work to help the marginalized of society and the Church, including and not limited to LGBT people.   We include ending racism, sexism, the constant ignorance of the poor, the disenfranchised, the sick and so on.   As Christ was born amidst the mess of humankind, so God finds all of us and walks with us through our confusion and disarray.  God reaches out to touch us, so that we too can proclaim what we have seen and heard.

What ways might God be calling us to make the presence of Christ tangible?

If there were one thing you could do that shows God being authentic in your life, what would that be?

How might we respond to that tangible presence of Christ in those places and people where God is not so simple to find?

Let's take one idea from St. John the Evangelist.   Let love be one of those ways.

Amen


Prayers

Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light,
that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and
evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that
at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for St. John the Evangelist, Book of Common Prayer, p. 238).


Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on
the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within
the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit
that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those
who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for
the honor of your Name. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 101).

Second Day of Christmas: St. Stephen, Deacon and Marytr

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15

At the beginning of the reign of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah, this word came from the LORD: Thus says the LORD: Stand in the court of the LORD's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the LORD; speak to them all the words that I command you; do not hold back a word. It may be that they will listen, all of them, and will turn from their evil way, that I may change my mind about the disaster that I intend to bring on them because of their evil doings. You shall say to them: Thus says the LORD: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you, and to heed the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently-- though you have not heeded-- then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.

The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD. And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, "You shall die! Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, `This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant'?" And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.

Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, "It is the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will change his mind about the disaster that he has pronounced against you. But as for me, here I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will be bringing innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the LORD sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears."

Psalm 31 (BCP., p.622)


Acts 6:8-7:2a,51c-60

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us." And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Then the high priest asked him, "Are these things so?"

And Stephen replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me. You are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it."

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died.

Matthew 23:34-39

Jesus said, "Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, `Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

Blog Reflection

This Holy Day dedicated to the commemoration of St. Stephen, that follows the Nativity seems so out of place.  We just celebrated the arrival of the Christ Child yesterday.  It was a joyous and festive occasion.  It seems so gruesome today to remember with a special feast, the first Deacon who was stoned to death.
This past Christmas Eve, the Rt. Rev. Brian Prior, IX Bishop of The Episcopal Church in Minnesota, said something quite profound in his sermon.  He quoted a moment in which a young person had stumped the Bishop with the question: "Why did Jesus have to be born in a manger, surrounded by shepherds?"  Bishop Prior answered that question on Christmas Eve by saying that Jesus was born in that stable to show us that the Word can come to us in the most ordinary and unusual places.   God with Us in Christ, can come among us in our messiest moments, our moments of being rejected, or disappointments, and even at our death.  Even on this day after Christmas, when returning to work can feel like a penance in and of itself.

Stephen had been chosen by those twelve Apostles to carry out the service of ministering to others on behalf of the Church.  He was also a preacher, who spoke of the Word and taught it to others.   The Christians of the early Church were shaking things up in their communities.  They were telling the story of the Jesus who had come, lived, was crucified, rose from the dead, ascended to the right hand of God, and has now sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.   They were engaged in the work of ministry.    Stephen was an important part of that ministry.

Two things come to mind for me as I think about St. Stephen today.

1.  It is very important to take from this story a certain caution.  That caution is with the age old idea that Christianity is a religion that supercedes all others.   The idea that Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans and many others must come to Christianity for salvation, is a very unfortunate interpretation of Acts.  The twelve Apostles received the Holy Spirit, but they were all still fallible men.  As were those who handed these stories down to us.  The Christian Faith for those who have chosen it is a beautiful and awesome experience.  Those in the time of the Apostles who were converted, were indeed blessed with a zeal for Christ and His ministry.   That ministry is one that we should pass on and invite others to share in, and that is everyone.   However, each person can and will find their path to God through whatever religious tradition they chose or may have had chosen for them.  If we Christians want to be part of changing the world for the better, let us begin with an authentic appreciation and acceptance of other religious traditions without the negative stereotyping.

2.  What actually got Stephen stoned?   That answer, I believe is in the first point I just made.  Religious diversity intolerance.   The religious and political authorities of the time had created an intolerance for other points of view.  As this new guy named Jesus came on the scene and called them to repentance for their sins, and to a new way of living, they chose to kill the messenger rather than listen to the message.   Here in the stoning of Stephen, they did it again.  

How do we respond to those messengers of our time?

How do we respond as the Church, to those who are calling us to a renewed understanding of our faith, without prejudice towards women, LGBT, people of different races, immigration statuses, health status, economic status, religion, etc?

Are we listening to the Holy Spirit who is calling us to change?  Or, are we blocking them out with our own prejudices and stubbornness?   

Why do we have this feast in honor of St. Stephen the day after Christmas?

The Christ Child came to heal our broken relationships.  He came as one so vulnerable, yet, he welcomed shepherds and the poor to attend and serve Him.  He changed the world around Him, as one would normally have been ignored or forgotten.  Jesus reminds us today, to serve others in His Name, but to respect each other in our diversity and responsibility to who we ourselves are. 

How interesting that on St. Stephen's Commemoration, we hear him ask the Lord to forgive those stoning him.   Jesus was born to ask God to forgive us our sins, and of course, that is what God did.

Amen.


Prayers

We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the
first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed
for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at
your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p. 237).

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to
take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure
virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made
your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed
by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom
with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and
for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 213).

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: God's Love in Christ has Arrived.

Today's Scripture Readings are a mixture from the various Liturgies for Christmas.  As with year's past, there are two Gospel Readings here.

Isaiah 9:2-7 (NRSV)

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness--

on them light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation,

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

For the yoke of their burden,

and the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

For all the boots of the tramping warriors

and all the garments rolled in blood

shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

For a child has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually,

and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

He will establish and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time onward and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Psalm 96 (BCP., p.725).


Titus 3:4-7 (NRSV)

When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV)

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. 

John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

Blog Reflection

Christmas is among the most difficult celebrations to write a good blog post.  Everyone who celebrates this day as the religious holy day that it is, is hearing a lot of what I may write here in their churches.   Others for whom this day is not a religious focus for them, might find my words here to be another Christian trying to ruin their day.  If you are a Christian that opposes the things I have been writing about in this blog for the past four years, this blog post is another opportunity for you to see just how off the left deep end I may have gone.  If you are a Christian who is not so sure of where you are, my blog may add to your confusion.

The Christmas mystery is so full of beauty, celebration, memories both good and bad, that to write about what the Scriptures are about today, seems almost unnecessary.   As usual, I beg to differ.  The mystery of the Word made flesh is always being born a new in us.  Being born again is not a matter of a once in a life time event, it occurs every time Jesus reveals more about Himself to us.  As He draws us closer to His Presence in each other, the Christian Faith becomes a renewed part of how we live, how we talk, and hopefully how we act.

There is little question that there is much darkness in our world.  It is not a darkness that is a matter of physical light vs. blackness of night.  It is an absence of solitude.  A denial of the need to understand one another.  A loneliness experienced because of an emptiness.  A desire to be fulfilled, but, not being validated.
 
I think Mary and Joseph must have felt that darkness, loneliness and desire as they wandered their way into Bethlehem.  A young girl in labor.  A husband, with the duty to protect her and to see the safe arrival of the baby ready to come out, ready or not.  There is no room in the local inn.  There was no telephone or email to search for the nearest hospital, doctor or Super 8 motel.  No grand ball room, or Cathedral church prepared to dance the Christmas night away, after the Child was born.   Those came after, and rightly so.  Returning to the Nativity event, Jesus was born in the midst of confusion, disarray and life's messy moments.  Whether it was a Manger stable or a cave, does not really matter as far as I am concerned.

Composer John Rutter, set to music the beautiful words that Christiana Rossetti wrote about the wonder that happened.

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Stars and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith the sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and Love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea, and gift and sign.

The Love of God was Incarnate right in the middle of our darkness, loneliness, unfulfilled desire.   The long awaited Messiah came not like a mighty warrior or a King leading armies into battle.  He came as one so small, helpless and vulnerable.  A Child born of a young, poor mother and carpenter of a father.  Into the midst of our human mess.  Yet, He was a King.  He was a ruler.  Yet, He was merciful, loving, accepting, inclusive and He changed the world for all time.

John Rutter set his own poem to beautiful music in the Christmas Lullaby with these words.

Where are His courtiers, and who are His people?
Why does he bear neither silver nor gold?
Shepherds His courtiers, the poor for His people,
with peace as His scepter, and love for His crown.

In our age of billionaires controlling everything from the initial roll out of the Affordable Care Act's web site, keeping back a vote for the thousands who will lose their unemployment benefits at the end of this month, and food stamps for those who are most vulnerable; Jesus Christ, God's perfect revelation of God's Self is born as one who gives Himself, vulnerable, helpless and yet at the will of His Father.   He comes not to end poverty, injustice or even oppression.  He comes to empower us to do these things, and to walk with us in our efforts. 

If there is one Scripture that I wish were included each year in the Christmas Liturgy it would be 2 Corinthians 8:9.  "For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich."   If I were to reword this to reflect our Christmas meditation, it would read something like this.  "For our generous Lord Jesus Christ though he was rich in that He had everything and could do anything, for our sakes became poor, without anything and could do nothing, so that we who think we can do nothing will know that through Him, we can do just about anything we set our mind to."  Including, but not limited to, bringing the light of truth, the hope of justice, liberty from prejudice and violence all because our Lord Jesus Christ loved us so much, He gave it all up for our salvation.

As we join our church communities, families and friends to celebrate the coming of Christ among us as one like us, let us pray and discern together how we might greet Him on this happy morning, in those who are poor, lonely, disenfranchised and in need of being included. 

May every daughter, son, grand daughter, grand son, step son, step daughter, sister, brother, father, mother, cousin, niece, nephew, etc. be welcomed to our dinner tables regardless of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. 

May every person find a place to receive the Incarnate Word in the Holy Eucharist, and praise God with their voices and lives.

May Christ truly bring peace on earth through our efforts this Christmas Season and all through out the New Year. 

A blessed and holy Christmas Season to you and those whom you love.   And may everyone, because of God's love, be loved today.

Amen.

Prayers

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth
of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully
receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence
behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the
brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known
the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him
perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he
lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to
take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure
virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made
your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed
by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom
with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and
for ever. Amen.   (All Christmas Collects are from the Book of Common Prayer, p. 212, 213).

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Emmanuel's Non-Traditional Holy Family

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 7:10-16 (NRSV)

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. Then Isaiah said: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted."

Psalm 80 (BCP., p.702)


Romans 1:1-7 (NRSV)

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,"

which means, "God is with us." When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Blog Reflection

In this Year of 2013 we have seen an amazing transformation.   As of this past week there are now 18 States where the freedom to marry for same-gender couples is the law.  Even if the Governor and Attorney General of Utah are seeking a stay, at the moment their same-sex marriage ban has been struck down as unconstitutional.

At the heart of the ongoing debate about whether or not marriage equality is a good idea is the claim that same-gender marriage will contribute to the downfall of society, because it changes the make up of the family.  It is believed by many Christians that the "nuclear" family is one man, one woman with children coming out of the mother, supported by a well employed father, who go to church every Sunday and Holy Day.  The children are educated, sent off to college, meet their girl and/or boyfriend, get married and the whole process begins over again.  In the discussion about why same-gender marriage is so "dangerous" is that this is not how God intended the family to be.  They go back to Genesis about how God created male and female, etc, etc, etc.    Next Weekend, the Roman Catholic Church will celebrate Holy Family Sunday, during which many of their Priests and Bishops will say that the family is in imminent danger because of abortion, same-gender marriages, the media that seems to have one agenda, to destroy the most basic and sacred institution of society.

On this Fourth Sunday of Advent in the Year of the Gospel according to Matthew, we appear to have a very non-traditional family.   A young girl who is sixteen years old, expecting a child.  A man of the Royal House of David.  He is a poor carpenter.  He is betrothed to this young girl with child, who could face shame if she is believed to have been with a man she is not betrothed or married to.   In his dismay, he considers divorcing here quietly.  What's this?  The foster father of Jesus, considers divorcing his betrothed?   Wow. In the Angelic vision that Joseph experiences, he is told that the child who will be born of Mary, was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is believed to be the feminine nature of God.  Is it possible that we have a female to female gender relationship that results in a male child?   A pretty non-traditional holy family we have here.  

If this non-traditional family shows us anything, it is how God uses the unusual and not so neatly put together of situations, to bring about the perfection of God's will.   The lives of Mary and Joseph are anything, but neat and well organized.  Yet, through them God-with-us becomes a visible and physical reality.  God makes use of this travesty of human tradition, to break into our human history to achieve the unthinkable.  The Word becomes flesh, and God has a human face.  His Name is Jesus the Christ.

There is yet another surprise for white Christians.  This is a family in the Middle East. They were not Caucasian.  They did not speak English.  Nor did they vote Republican or Democrat. They lived under tremendous oppression.  Later this week on December 28th, we will remember the slaughter of the Holy Innocents.  The non-traditional holy family will become refugees in Egypt to flee the massacre of a tyrant and fearful king.

It makes you wonder that if this holy family came here to these United States, would we delay their immigration, by suggesting that they are seeking amnesty?

What would they think of a TV host who lost his job because of both racist and homophobic statements?

Given what they have lived through, you think they would really support a United Methodist Minister named Frank Schaffer being defrocked because he performed a same-sex wedding ceremony for his own son?

If they were to support reformed gun laws in the wake of last years shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT and last week in Colorado, would the "God fearing" extremists call Mary, Joseph and Jesus a family of socialists trying to take away their 2nd Amendment rights?

During these past three weeks of Advent, we have been preparing to remember the first coming of Christ to help us to look into our hearts, as we prepare for His second coming.  We would like to think that the world Jesus was born into was economically secure, free of racism, sexism, heterosexism, injustice and oppression.   The Gospel accounts of Jesus suggest that He was born and lived in a society not much unlike our own.  There were non-traditional families, individuals and communities in Jesus' very own community.  Yet, Jesus came and welcomed them all.  Those who thought they had their religious and spiritual lives all figured out by following the rules, were pretty much told to look and think again.   Those who were already marked as outcasts, because they were so non-traditional found in Jesus a new home in God's unconditional love.

Here we are at the end of 2013.  Life for so many is anything but peaceful.  Just yesterday, the same day that a judge in Utah declared the constitutional ban against same-sex marriage as unconstitutional, the "kill the gays" bill in Uganda was passed by their parliament.  LGBT people continue to face untold acts of violence in Russia and other places in the world.   The Gospel of Jesus Christ gets a bad name as Christ followers turn a blind eye to the number of Americans who face the loss of their unemployment benefits at the end of this month.  Millions of Americans have lost their food stamp money.  Homelessness, poverty, violence towards women, minorities, Muslims, Jews and many others continue right in our own communities.   This is the world that Jesus Christ, born of a non-traditional holy family wants to be begin a new life in today.   A poor carpenter named Joseph and a sixteen year old girl named Mary, come with their bundle of joy in the womb of Mary, who will be born into our world of oppression, violence, darkness and in desperate need of healing.

Will we welcome Him in each other?

Here's hoping that in two days that answer is yes.

Amen.


Prayers

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation,
that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a
mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen. (Fourth Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, p.212).

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.  (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p.816).

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, p.826).

Third Sunday of Advent: Let Everyone Rejoice in the Lord. No Exceptions.

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 35: 1-10 (NRSV)

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,

the desert shall rejoice and blossom;

like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,

and rejoice with joy and singing.

The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,

the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.

They shall see the glory of the LORD,

the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weak hands,

and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to those who are of a fearful heart,

"Be strong, do not fear!

Here is your God.

He will come with vengeance,

with terrible recompense.

He will come and save you."

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

then the lame shall leap like a deer,

and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,

and streams in the desert;

the burning sand shall become a pool,

and the thirsty ground springs of water;

the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,

the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

A highway shall be there,

and it shall be called the Holy Way;

the unclean shall not travel on it,

but it shall be for God's people;

no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.

No lion shall be there,

nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;

they shall not be found there,

but the redeemed shall walk there.

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,

and come to Zion with singing;

everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;

they shall obtain joy and gladness,

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Canticle 15: The Magnificat (BCP., p. 91 or 119).


James 5:7-10 (NRSV)

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Matthew 11:2-11 (NRSV)

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him,

"Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

`See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.'

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Blog Reflection

We continue our Advent celebration with the figure of St. John the Baptist.  The one who prepares the way of the Lord. The difference is that this Sunday, we hear Jesus giving His impression of St. John the Baptist after Jesus already began His public ministry.  The contrast gives us much to reflect on. 

The one who is called to prepare the way for the Lord, the one Jesus is talking so much about, is not a member of the royal family.  He is not a person with a Ph.D. from Harvard, Oxford or Loyola.   St. John the Baptist represents the outcast, becoming someone extraordinary who does wondrous things for God.

It is interesting that one of the Psalm choices for today is the Song of Mary, also known as the Magnificat.  The hymn attributed to a sixteen year old girl from a small town, who had the experience of the Angel Gabriel informing her that she would give birth to Jesus.  All the talk that the "perfect family" is one man and one woman seems to fall a part in the actual Gospel account of Christ's birth.  The Holy Family consists of an unwed mother being the Spouse of the Holy Spirit to give birth to Christ, betrothed to a carpenter who considers divorcing her, because she has broken the rules.   In the Song of Mary, God clearly turned the order of the the strong, the mighty, and the rich over so that the lowly and the hungry are to receive the random act of grace from the Most High.

This past week a certain news anchor made a remark about Jesus and Santa Clause being "white".  I find it interesting that someone who is employed to report the news of the day, never quite knew or understood that Jesus was Jewish, most likely non-white and definitely not Caucasian.  In article on the Lead found in the Episcopal Cafe,  there is a quote from Jonathan Merrit from an article he wrote in The Atlantic.

Setting aside the ridiculousness of creating rigidly racial depictions of a fictitious character that does not actually exist—sorry, kids—like Santa, Kelly has made a more serious error about Jesus. The scholarly consensus is actually that Jesus was, like most first-century Jews, probably a dark-skinned man. If he were taking the red-eye flight from San Francisco to New York today, Jesus might be profiled for additional security screening by TSA.

The myth of a white Jesus is one with deep roots throughout Christian history. As early as the Middle Ages and particularly during the Renaissance, popular Western artists depicted Jesus as a white man, often with blue eyes and blondish hair. Perhaps fueled by some Biblical verses correlating lightness with purity and righteousness and darkness with sin and evil, these images sought to craft a sterile Son of God.

In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Advice for Living” column for Ebony in 1957, the civil-rights leader was asked, “Why did God make Jesus white, when the majority of peoples in the world are non-white?” King replied, “The color of Jesus’ skin is of little or no consequence” because what made Jesus exceptional “His willingness to surrender His will to God’s will.” His point, as historian Edward Blum has noted, is that Jesus transcends race.

Those warnings hold just as true for believers today. Within the church, eschewing a Jesus who looks more like a Scandinavian supermodel than the sinless Son of God in the scriptures is critical to maintaining a faith in which all can give praise to one who became like them in an effort to save them from sins like racism and prejudice. It's important for Christians who want to expand the church, too, in allowing the creation of communities that are able to worship a Jesus who builds bridges rather than barriers. And it is essential to enabling those who bear the name of Christ to look forward to that day when, according to the book of Revelation, those “from every nation, tribe, people, and language” can worship God together.

On this Third Sunday of Advent, the reading from James tells us about the farmer who waits for the crops to grow.  What appears to be doing nothing, but laying beneath the soil, is actually the earth, the sun, and water giving new life and hope for the future.   No one can predict what will sprout up from the ground.  But, we will know when it appears, what it will be, and then can decide how it will be used.   So it is with the gift of faith in those who seem so different to us.  God's grace and power are not hindered by race, class, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, culture, language, health status or anything else that many in humankind use to divide and discriminate.   The work of God in the life of any human person is a matter between God and the individuals own conscious.   It is Sacred Space, and no one person has any business trying to interfere.   Prejudice hidden behind religious zeal, is still prejudice, and it still wounds the core of any human person.  Discrimination also brings brutal injury to the human community.

Today, we rejoice because as we wait for the coming celebration of Christmas, we have the opportunity to prepare His way, by doing our part to bring an end to violence, oppression and bias.  St. John the Baptist played his part.  Mary did what was required of her.  Jesus did the will of His Father.  Now, we have the chance to do what God asks of each of us, and to rejoice in God's Name at all times.

Amen.

Prayers

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come
among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins,
let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver
us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and
the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (Third Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, p. 212).

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully
restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may
share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our
humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 252).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).

Second Sunday of Advent: Prepare the Way for the Real Jesus

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 11:1-10  (NRSV)

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,

and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him,

the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and might,

the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,

or decide by what his ears hear;

but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,

and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;

he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,

and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,

and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

The wolf shall live with the lamb,

the leopard shall lie down with the kid,

the calf and the lion and the fatling together,

and a little child shall lead them.

The cow and the bear shall graze,

their young shall lie down together;

and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,

and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den.

They will not hurt or destroy

on all my holy mountain;

for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD

as the waters cover the sea.

On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

Psalm 72 (BCP., p.685)


Romans 15: 4-13 (NRSV)

Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

"Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
and sing praises to your name";
and again he says,

"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people";
and again,

"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples praise him";

and again Isaiah says,

"The root of Jesse shall come,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope."

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:1-12 (NRSV)

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
`Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.'"

Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

"I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Blog Reflection

There are many problems with the readings and the meaning of the 2nd Sunday of Advent. 

The problems come from interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures in such a way, that their meaning within the context of the Jewish Faith is to be dismissed because of Antisemitism on the one hand.  On the other hand, Jesus Himself throughout the Gospels identifies Himself with the prophesies in the Hebrew Scriptures. 

The other problem that cannot be too easily dismissed is that the figure of St. John the Baptist is all too often used to prepare for the coming of the judgmental and superficial Jesus who supposedly condemns abortion, same-gender marriages, wipes out entire areas by tsunami's and tornadoes because of a change from super conservative to progressive liberalism.

Another image that is also quite troubling as these Scriptures are interpreted comes from those of us who are progressive Christians, that might lead many of us to dismiss what Advent and Christmas are really about.   During Advent we recall the events that led up to that first coming of Christ at Christmas to help us remember and celebrate that Christ will come again, and in fact, is already here.  But, not yet.   Rev. Susan Russell likes to remind us this time of the year, that these seasons are a matter of both/and as opposed to either/or.  

The real Jesus who came as God's perfect revelation of Self, came to bring real change.   It was the difference that gave hope where all hope seemed lost.  He came at a time when God's people were in need of a revelation of God in a way that was not just written in the tablets of the Law, but became an imprint of God's footprints on the human soul.  Those who were considered as lost, would at last be shown the Way to friendship with God.  Where religious authority had become an excuse for excluding people, Jesus was God's reason why every person was already counted as God's own.   Where oppression and injustice caused people to question what God was really doing, Jesus came and told us to deny ourselves, pick up our Cross and follow Him to give our lives for the sake of the Gospel.  To live in humility, through being a servant to one another.

St. John the Baptist, the prophet that prepared the way for Christ is placed in each of the Gospels after Jesus had already been born.   St. John the Baptist lays out the path to the real Jesus.  The Jesus who changes the real lives of real people, by affirming God's unconditional love for all of us, without distinction.   If God can use a simple prophet who lived in the wilderness, ate locusts and drank honey, dressed in camel's hair to prepare the way for Jesus to change the history of the world as the Word made flesh; imagine how God can change the world through us.  Imagine how God can use us to prepare the way for the real Jesus here and now.

Yesterday, December 7th, 2013 was seventy two years since the disastrous attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.  It changed the United States at a profound moment in our Nation's history.  Many of the things that were taken for granted were shaken to their foundations.  Lives were lost, a sense of the security of the nation was completely devastated.  Yet, out of that tragedy, a new one began.  Instead of just responding with military action which was bad enough, the US began internment camps for Japanese Americans.   An entire race of people were targeted for discrimination and the worst kind of social and political violence.  How dare anyone celebrate the horrific attack and our nation's response by way of internment camps as being "heroic" or even "necessary." When racism is the response after a horrific act, the horror continues and we become part of the continuation of the horrific action.

This past week, we heard about the death of former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.  A man who was already in the thick of apartheid, of prejudice and violence of horrific proportion.  Yet, he was willing to go to jail, and he did to speak and act against the discrimination.  At that time, Nelson Mandela was perceived by many here in the U.S. with amazing hate and denounced as a terrorist.   Yet, this amazing man in peaceful protest worked for a new order in South Africa, not only ending apartheid, but also the affects of homophobia so that marriage equality has been the law there for many years.   Nelson Mandela was a prophetic witness that prepared the way for the real Jesus in his corner of the world.

William Stringfellow in his writing entitled The Penitential Seasons in the book Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas wrote best what will be the conclusion of this blog post.

The depletion of a contemporary recognition of the radically and political character of Advent is in large a measure occasioned by the illiteracy of Church folk about the Second Advent and, in the mainline churches, the persistent quietism of pastors, preachers, and teachers about the Second Coming.  That topic has been allowed to be preempted and usurped by astrologers, sectarian quacks and multifarious hucksters   Yet it is impossible to apprehend either Advent except through the relationship of both Advents.  The pioneer Christians, beleaguered as they were because of their insight, knew that the message of both Advents is political.  The message is that in the coming of Jesus Christ, the nations and the principalities and the rulers of the world are judged in the Word of God.  In the lordship of Christ they are rendered accountable to human life and, indeed, to all created life.  Hence, the response of John the Baptist when he is pressed to show the meaning of repentance he preaches is, "Bear fruits that befit repentance" (p.105).

Amen.

Prayers

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to
preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our
Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.211).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p.815).

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the
strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that
all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of
Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and
glory, now and for ever. Amen.  (Prayer for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p.815).