The Third Sunday of Advent

Main
  Who We Are
  Anglican Identity
  Upcoming Events
  Links

Our Worship
  Divine Office
  Services
  WOW
  Homilies

Our Ministries
  Prayer List
  Lay Ministry Rota
  The Servant

San Esteban
  San Esteban

Search:

The Third Sunday of Advent, December 14, 2003
Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-9, Luke 3:7-18
St. Stephens Episcopal Church, West Valley City, UT

Today is the pink, or rose, Sunday in Advent. Gaudette Sunday. It refers to the theme of rejoicing found in the readings, such as Philippians, Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice. And also from the prophet Zephaniah, Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout O Israel! Rejoice and exult.

This is a wondrous time of year with many occasions for rejoicing as we prepare for Christmas. There are parties and Christmas lights, The Nutcracker and The Messiah to enjoy. And so much more. So then we are feeling all good and warm inside and we come to church and we get John the Baptist: You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance.

Now, isn't that a cheery holiday message? What is this all about? Part of it for me is about not letting nostalgia and romanticism keep me from seeing the real implications of the baby in the manger to follow the Christ I must first deal with those things that hinder my relationship with him and with others.

One of my favorite words I learned in my Greek class I seminary is metanoia. In English we translate it, depending on the context, either repentance or conversion. It is a turning around, a change of heart. Repentance. Conversion. In one word.

Luke notes that John is very successful in getting people to desire repentance. He even has soldiers and tax collectors, the most hated people in Israel, to ask about turning their life around.

And what does John have to say to us? About our repentance? We are told to share our food and our belongings with those who have little. Repent of selfishness and self-centeredness. But there is another level here as well. It is about our assumptions. He says, Do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our ancestor. Put away your assumptions and take responsibility for yourselves.

He challenges us as well to look at the assumptions in our lives and to see what gets in the way of our relationship with God and others. Do not begin to say to yourselves but Im an American Episcopalian. What are the assumptions that may separate us from others we see as different? Nationality? Race? Sexuality? Economic status? (In the world view each of you is incredibly wealthy!) Christian? Episcopalian? You can list others Im sure.

John challenges our assumptions of status and standing, of worthiness and righteousness. John prepares the way for Jesus by challenging us to look at what can and often does separate us from others and from God. It is not just about what we do or dont do, but about our assumptions and how we see ourselves in relation to others.

And it is very easy to read these gospel verses and think it is only about John and the Jews back then. Those are the ones he is speaking to and warning. Not us, after all, we are already believers. But John calls us not to just believe, but to follow: to take responsibility for our faith and our lives. And to follow we need to see where we are going and make changes as necessary, metanoia: repentance and conversion. Johns words are for us as well, even here in West Valley City.

It is not just about going to church and being a Christian or even Episcopalian. It is about how we live out our faith in real terms in real time.

That we in the church
papered and programmed
articulate and agenda-ed
are telling the faith story
all wrong,
are telling it as though it happened two thousand years ago
or is going to happen
as soon as the church budget is raised.

We seem to forget that Christs name is Emmanuel,
God with Us,
Not just when he sat among us
but now,
when we cannot feel the nailprints in his hands.
(Kneeling in Bethlehem)