|
Dec 7th, 2008 – Second Sunday of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8
A woman was walking along the beach when she stumbled upon a Genie's lamp.
She picked it up and rubbed it, and lo-and-behold a Genie appeared. The amazed woman asked if she was going to receive the usual three wishes.
The Genie said, "Nope ... due to inflation, constant downsizing, low wages in third-world countries, and fierce global competition, I can only grant you one wish. So ... what'll it be?"
The woman didn't hesitate. She said, "I want peace in the Middle East. See this map? I want these countries to stop fighting with each other."
The Genie looked at the map and exclaimed, "Gadzooks, lady! These countries have been at war for thousands of years. I'm good, but not THAT good! I don't think it can be done. Make another wish."
The woman thought for a minute and said, "Well, I've never been able to find the right man. You know, one that's considerate and fun, likes to cook and helps with the housecleaning, is good in bed and gets along with my family, doesn't watch sports all the time, and is faithful. That's what I wish for ... a good mate."
The Genie let out a long sigh and said, "Let me see that freakin’ map!"
And all the wives say, Amen! I would agree that finding the right mate is truly a quest not without its twists and turns, and up and downs. But, all of us looking around at our world today have to wonder: when in the world are we going to see an end to the violence?
Iraq, Afghanistan, and lately India, get a lot of press around here, but what about the violence in Darfur, Nigeria, Thailand, and other places? A sobering study undertaken by the Society of International Law in London, states that during the last 4,000 years there have been only 268 years of peace, in spite of good peace treaties. In the last 3 centuries there have been 286 wars on the continent of Europe alone.
And what about Canada? What about peace in our government? An incumbent who tries to stamp out his enemies is instead met with a fight where the limits of democracy are tested. Voters are left to feel even further alienated (as if a 50% voter turnout rate wasn’t bad enough). But this is just another example of how we human beings try to resolve our issues – if someone does something we don’t like, whether it be country or colleague, we take our stand and look for ways to force them into accommodating us.
It’s not a new tactic; human beings have been working this way for millennia. The Romans of Jesus’ day had a slogan called “Pax Romana” – Pax was the word for peace in Latin. Essentially it meant that the Romans brought peace wherever they spread their Empire, but it was a peace through military conquest and forcing their opponents to bend their wills and their knees to almighty Caesar. It was not an unfamiliar state for Israel – they had long been a conquered people, the Romans were just the latest oppressors. But no matter the circumstances they were under, no matter the despair that threatened to overtake their hearts or the violence outside their doors, the people of God were always hopeful of a day when God would make everything right and bring them Shalom.
Our Psalm today anticipates this day, a day when “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.” (v.10) It’s a beautiful phrase, one rich in meaning. The pairings indicate that these virtues belong together – love and faithfulness are two sides of the same coin, peace is realized through a righteous life. The Psalmist is longing for the day when this Shalom, this harmony, this peace and wholeness of life will be actualized.
Ding dong! Ring Ring! The town messenger rings the bell to gather the townsfolk together for an important message, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!” Think Santa Claus parade times a million – the streets are blocked off, the people gather, for some thing or some one to process in. But instead of human kings and caesars, a humble carpenter emerges. John the Baptist says that this man is more powerful than himself, and that he will come baptizing with the Holy Spirit.
Our lectionary reading only tells the story up to this point. If we were to read on we would hear the account of Jesus’ baptism and God’s voice acclaiming him as his Son. The baptismal event affirms the Incarnation – righteousness and peace has come together, wholeness and perfection is now visible in the Man-God, Jesus the Christ. Humanity and divinity are wed together – and Jesus would show us how to experience this wholeness, this way of peace that the world is in desperate need of.
In Advent we anticipate Christ’s arrival – and we sing songs that speak of “Peace on earth and goodwill towards men” due to Christ’s presence. How does Jesus bring peace into the world? Well, we can speak of his defeating sin and evil by dying on the cross and rising to life. We can speak of his life of obedience to his Father’s will and the purpose this gave him. We can speak of the power that flowed out of him as he brought healing and wholeness to all he touched. We can even talk about his inspiring preaching and acts of mercy to the down and out.
But what does all this mean to us here today? Our world is full of violence, our lives feel in turmoil so much these days. How do we find the peace we need?
Let’s take our cue from Jesus: We need to go to the desert. After Jesus’ baptism “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness…” (v.12). The wilderness was the symbol of trial, struggle, and also of the need to be completely dependent on God’s provision. Israel wandered in the wilderness facing many trials and challenges and were forced to rely on God’s provision. Before Israel could enjoy the Promised Land, before Jesus could begin his ministry, the desert must be crossed.
For those of us finding ourselves in the desert of life – where life seems barren, hearts are dried up, bodies are stressed – we must take heart in that even Jesus suffered in the desert. Someone once said, “Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always.” Jesus entered into our suffering and sent the Holy Spirit to be with us always.
But even in Jesus’ experience of the desert he was comforted – “angels waited on him.” Whom has God sent to you to comfort you when you’re in the desert? Do you recognize them as coming from God? A hug from a loved one, kind words timely spoken by a stranger, even the affection of a pet, can minister to us when life gets rough. This week felt a little like I was in a desert – but one afternoon as I sat at my desk working on this sermon, I put on the comforting music of Patty Griffin and watched the snow fall. And I recognized that these two things were in their own way, messengers of God, as they brought peace to my heart. Take time to see the messengers of God’s all around you.
Many times in Jesus’ life it is said that he went off to be alone to pray to his Father in heaven. This is another function of the desert – taking time away from the busyness of life to talk to God can help one experience peace. Do you make space in your life for God? If you don’t already, use the Daily Bread publication, or the special Advent booklets we have at the back, or if you’re web-savvy check out www.sacredspace.ie. These devotions only take 10 minutes or so a day – but they offer a timeout from the stresses of life and help us to stay ‘plugged in’ to the Source of our life.
Lastly I’d like to suggest that we do what Jesus did when he faced trials – he persistently carried out the will of his Father. I believe God has things for all of us to do – he’s put people in our lives to love and support. He’s given others to us who need our help. He’s given tasks to us to spread his Kingdom on earth. The tendency when life gets hard is to withdraw from responsibility and to isolate oneself from others. But for Jesus the time in the desert was to enrich his ministry, not hide from it. Researchers at Duke University found factors that contributed greatly to emotional and mental stability – or peace if you will. They noted that people who force themselves to stay involved in the living world in times of emotional stress tend to be able to cope better. They also mentioned that those who don’t waste time and energy fighting things they couldn’t change were better able to cooperate with life. By refusing to engage in self-pity when life gives you a raw deal and accepting the fact that all go through the deserts of life facilitates a peaceful state of mind.
Let us recognize that Jesus is here with us in the desert. Let us take hope in that we are not alone in our suffering. Let us see the desert as an opportunity for us to draw closer to God, trusting only in his love and mercy. In the busyness of this Advent Season let us take time apart to pray and rest in God’s presence. In the face of adversity let us persist in doing the Lord’s will. And let us eagerly await Christ’s return, a day when peace will conquer violence once and for all.
And may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
|
|
