[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Advent 1A

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded: 



-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Nov 26, 2016 7:08 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Advent 1A



Dear Friends,
 
This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “The Start of ourPilgrimage to Bethlehem” or “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” and deals with allthe lessons.  Here it is: 
 
I know you’re wondering ifI’ve lost my mind, wishing you a happy new year when it’s only November 27th!  Today IS New Year’s Day- for the church.  Four Sundays before ChristMass begins the newchurch year (Eucharistic Lectionary Cycle A). The brand new season is Advent, with its color of purple or blue (we usepurple).  Advent means coming, and thisis the time when we prepare for Jesus’ coming- his first and his second.  Advent lasts four weeks, and each Sunday hasa theme: the first Sunday- peace; the second Sunday- hope; the third Sunday-joy; and the fourth Sunday- love.  We’vegot four weeks to get ready for Jesus’ coming- as a baby in Bethlehem and his second coming to judge theworld, i.e. us.  It’s so easy just thinkabout “Silent Night” and not to be concerned about the second coming- afterall, he’s waited 2,000 years- it’s easy to figure he’ll wait a few thousandmore, and who knows?  The problem is-there are two aspects of the second coming. One is as the angel prophesied- Jesus returning from the clouds in likemanner as he ascended (that’s the “someday” aspect).  The other, however, is our own personal deathwhen we meet Jesus as our savior and judge. So, you see, it really doesn’t make any difference if we are alive whenJesus returns or not, we will still experience our own personal second coming,and, you know what?  We’d better beready.  You know the song, “You’d betterwatch out!  You’d better not cry.  You’d better not pout- I’m telling you why-Santa Claus is coming to town.”  My friends,forget about Santa Claus, because Jesus is coming- we don’t know when, but heIS coming.  Did you hear the story aboutSatan teaching three apprentice devils how to be successful at tempting humans?  He asked each one his plan.  The first devil said he would try to convincepeople that God didn’t exist.  “Thatwon’t work!” responded Satan, “because everyone really knows he doesexist.”  “Well,” said the second devil,“I’ll tell them that hell isn’t real.” “That won’t work either,” said Satan, since most humans have alreadyexperienced it.  What will you do?” heasked the third devil.  “Well,” said thethird devil, “my plan is to tell them that there’s no hurry.”  “Go,” said Satan, “and you will ruin them bythe thousands!”  So, when are you goingto die?  Well then, listen to the gospeland be ready.
 
Our focus this Sunday is“Peace.”  Jesus said, “Blessed are thepeacemakers, for they shall be called God’s children.”  Are you ready?  Are you a peacemaker or a peacebreaker?  You heard today’s Old Testament lesson(Isaiah 2: 4): “He will settle arguments between nations.  They will pound their swords and their spearsinto rakes and shovels; they will never make war or attack one another.”  We don’t use swords and spears much thesedays, but we surely do use our mouths.  
 
Be a peacemaker.  Are you quick-tempered?  Use the power of God to tame that eviltemper.  When you feel your temperaturerising, walk away, shut your mouth, put your fists into your pockets, andwait.  Go for a walk, dance, listen tomusic, exercise, talk to someone- do anything to calm your spirit until theadrenaline in your blood stream drains. Then solve the problem. 
 
Be a peacemaker.  Are you sharp-tongued?  What about on Facebook, calling people “b’s”and calling people the “f” word?  Givethat critical spirit to God.  Use yourtongue and your fingers to bless, not curse. A good rule of thumb that I learned (actually re-learned) from a friendis “Criticize and discipline in private. Praise in public.”  Just areminder- Facebook is public.
 
Be a peacemaker.  Do you have an unforgiving spirit?  Do you always have to have the lastword?  Do you give people the silenttreatment?  Drop it.  Give that person to God.
 
Be a peacemaker- don’t buywar toys or violent games for your children or grandchildren, especially on thebirthday of the prince of peace.
 
Be a peacemaker.  Stand up for justice.  I’ve heard many of us concerned about schoolviolence.  Often (not always, butfrequently) the cause of a tragic school episode is because of bullying thathas gone on for years.  Whathappens?  The victim has had enough andfinally “snaps,” becoming the victimizer. Every time I hear about this, I wonder where all the Christiansare.  How in the world could Christians,whether they’re students, teachers, the janitor, the principal, whoever…, howcould they allow such injustice around them and be silent, yet they say theythe Prince of Peace is their Lord! Whenever you encounter injustice, speak up.  Stand up to injustice.  Peace without justice is simplyrepression.  It’s deceptive.  It’s like a pressure cooker- seems quietuntil the lid blows off.
 
How do you go about being apeacemaker?  By doing what Jesus said andloving your neighbor as much as you love yourself- and this even includes yourenemy- he or she is your neighbor too. Paul’s definition of love from 1st Corinthians 13: 4-8 is thebest I’ve ever seen.  You know it.  It goes: “Love is kind and patient, neverjealous, boastful, proud, or rude (that even counts when we’re driving).  Love isn't selfish or quick tempered.  It doesn't keep a record of wrongs thatothers do.  Love rejoices in the truth,but not in evil.  Love is alwayssupportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails!”  If we do thesethings, we will be peacemakers.
 
I’m going to close with atrue story from one of my Internet friends who is a Roman Catholic priest.  He heard it on the radio and shared it withhis friends.  There was a woman who wasout Christmas shopping with her two children. After enduring rude, aggressivedrivers; after many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everythingelse imaginable and hearing both her children asking for everything they saw onthose many shelves; after watching people elbow others out of the way, she andthe kids finally made it to the elevator. She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season-overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all theholiday food and treats, buy that perfect gift for every single person on ourshopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, etc.  Finally the elevator doors opened and therewas already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way in and dragged her two kidsin with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't takeit anymore and stated, “Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should befound, strung up, and shot.”  From theback of the car, everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, “Don't worry, we alreadycrucified him.”  For the rest of the tripdown the elevator, it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
 
My prayer for us is that wenot crucify Jesus again with our choices this ChristMass.  May we not argue or complain.  May we not fight or say cruel things tosomeone acting as if they’re our enemy. May we be peacemakers, not peacebreakers.  May we not spend more than we can afford orencourage our children to be greedy.  Maywe not get so frantically worried or rushed that we don’t take time forJesus.  My prayer for us is that weremember ChristMass is Jesus’ birthday and Jesus is the reason for theseason.  Amen.
 
For anyone who isinterested, this sermon and updated African-American wisdom statements areposted on our parish’s web site under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org .
 
Blessed preaching,
Judy Boli
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw, Michigan

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