[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Advent 1A- "Blessed Are the Peacemakers

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From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Nov 30, 2019 10:36 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Advent 1A- "Blessed Are the Peacemakers

This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Blessed Are the Peacemakers,” andis based on all the lessons.  Here it is:  

I know you’re wondering if I’ve lost my mind, wishing you a happy newyear when it’s only December 1st! Today IS New Year’s Day- for the church. Four Sundays before ChristMass begins the new church year (EucharisticLectionary Cycle A).  The brand new seasonis Advent, with its color of purple or blue (we use purple).  Advent means coming, and this is the timewhen 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 the peacemakers, for they shall be called God’schildren.”  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 youquick-tempered?  Use the power of God to tamethat evil temper.  When you feel yourtemperature rising, walk away, shut your mouth, put your fists into yourpockets, and wait.  Go for a walk, dance,listen to music, exercise, talk to someone- do anything to calm your spirituntil the adrenaline in your blood stream drains.  Then solve the problem.  Be a peacemaker.  Are yousharp-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 anunforgiving spirit?  Do you always have to have thelast word?  Do you give people the silenttreatment?  Drop it.  Give that person to God. Be a peacemaker- don’t buy war toys or violent games for your children orgrandchildren, especially on the birthday of the prince of peace. Be a peacemaker.  Stand up forjustice.  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 a peacemaker?  By doing what Jesus said and loving yourneighbor as much as you love yourself- and this even includes your enemy- he orshe is your neighbor too.  Paul’sdefinition of love from 1st Corinthians 13: 4-8 is the best I’veever seen.  You know it.  It goes: “Love is kind and patient, neverjealous, boastful, proud, or rude (that even counts when we’re driving or angry).  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 a true story from one of my Internet friendswho is a Roman Catholic priest.  He heardit on the radio and shared it with his friends. There was a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children.After enduring rude, aggressive drivers; after many hours of looking at rowafter row of toys and everything else imaginable and hearing both her childrenasking for everything they saw on those many shelves; after watching peopleelbow others out of the way, she and the kids finally made it to theelevator.  She was feeling what so manyof us feel during the holiday season- overwhelming pressure to go to everyparty, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, buy that perfectgift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forgetanyone on our card list, etc.  Finallythe elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushedher way in and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. Whenthe doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, “Whoever started thiswhole Christmas thing should be found, strung up, and shot.”  From the back of the car, everyone heard aquiet calm voice respond, “Don't worry, we already crucified him.”  For the rest of the trip down the elevator,it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. My prayer for us is that we not crucify Jesus again withour choices this ChristMass.  May we notargue or complain.  May we not fight orsay cruel things to someone acting as if they’re our enemy.  May we be peacemakers, notpeacebreakers.  May we not spend morethan we can afford or encourage our children to be greedy.  May we not get so frantically worried orrushed that we don’t take time for Jesus. My prayer for us is that we remember ChristMass is Jesus’ birthday andJesus is the reason for the season. Amen.
For anyone whois interested, 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 BoliSt. Paul's Episcopal ChurchSaginaw, Michigan

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