The Complexities of Waiting
Cathedral of St. Philip
December 4, 2005
2nd Sunday of Advent
8:45 A.M. Holy Eucharist
Isaiah 40:1-11
Gospel Mark 1:1-8
A sermon preached by the Reverend Canon Carolynne Williams
The people of Israel have come out of exile. As you recall, for years they wandered in the wilderness worshipping false Gods and never considered being in a repentant state. Asking for forgiveness was out of the question. They were full of themselves. From their prospective, there was no need at that time to repent or ask for forgiveness, for they had not committed any sins against their gods.
As they came out of their bewildered state and began to hear the voice speaking to them, they were seeking comfort. Their souls were thirsty for nourishment and refreshment. The God of Isaiah gives to the people who were withering like grass words to think about. Isaiah said to those who were seeking a straighter path and to those who were coming out of the valley:
“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.” (Isaiah 40:1). Let my people know that they are no longer in exile. They have been forgiven for their sins and are now preparing themselves to embrace a sense of peace.
Even though the Israelites were coming out of the wilderness to a place of comfort, there were those among them who still believed that they were unworthy to be loved and comforted. They still found themselves living in such a manner that their lives were conditioned to being in a state of plague and drought. They were hungry and their souls were parched with thirst. They were still in the wilderness searching for a place of comfort in a barren land. Some of the Israelites continued to carry the guilt. They did not believe that they were worthy of seeking forgiveness. They, perhaps in their self-centeredness do not hear the clear voice that was leading them to a place of inner peace and joy. Those who desired to accept this place of peace and comfort of God in their lives were reflecting a change. A transformation was occurring that was visible to others. This transformation, this difference, however, in coming out of a barren land where only the rocks were crying out is that, they, the people, are now awake. They are alert. They recognize the value in preparing to receive the Lord’s salvation. They have in their reflection of themselves seen, heard about and are curious about the one who is coming.
The people of Israel have accepted the promise given to them that they no longer have to carry guilt for not worshiping the one true God. Their spirits are being fed with the promise of hope and they are rejoicing and are glad in it. The thirst of their souls is about to be quenched. The one bringing this message of hope was thought to be the Messiah by many. He was the emerging leader. A messenger lifting up his voice of hope. This voice of hope brought “Good news” to the people of Israel. The word spread through out Judea and to all of Jerusalem. Many began to follow him. They heard about him before they saw or heard him. The news of his ministry preceded him and there were many who wanted to say that he had come to fulfill the promise.
The desire of hope for a new leader was so strong that many told others that this man, this messenger was the Messiah. This messenger, this new model of leadership and promise was John the Baptist.
What captures my attention about John the Baptist is that in the midst of his exotic appearance, his foreign appearance to others, you know the camel’s hair garment and the wide belt to hold the garment on his body. In the midst of his distracting presence, to some he remained focused on his purpose. His hair was wiry and full of bugs. His eyes, if one looked into them, probably reflected rage and definition. And, of course, his feet were probably dirty from walking. The veins in his feet were protruding with blood. John the baptizer was urging repentance through baptism with water. He was baptizing with water and spreading the “good news”.
John the Baptist was a strong leader who knew how to support others. He knew how to lead with a visible and open hand, but he also understood that he was the forerunner. The work that he was doing in his ministry was important and necessary, but he was not the hottest ticket around.
….All of the people of Judea and Jerusalem were going out to him and were baptized by him in the river Jordan….and confessing their sins”. (Mark 1:5)
John had followers, they were his disciples. In the midst of crowds following him and many seeking his guidance and words of encouragement, he knew that his task was to go ahead of the one coming. His task was to prepare the way for the one coming who was greater than he.
He was the leader of the front team. He was a true leader because he showed signs of humility. John the baptizer said to those who were listening, “The one who is more powerful than I, is coming after me”. He was preparing the way.
“Comfort, O comfort my people says our God.” In the midst of accepting the embrace of comfort, the people who were like grass could see that in the midst of Jerusalem, as it was beginning to rebuild, their manner of living was changing.
Their focus, they, the people of Israel, were getting themselves prepared. The anticipation in the air and the word being out about making themselves ready was the conversation of the day. The momentum was picking up. More people were coming to John to be baptized. They were repenting of their sins and desiring to be baptized. John told them that as they were being baptized with water, The messiah would complete the baptism with the Holy spirit.
The sense of direction that they had had a glimpse of was bringing them comfort.
There was a new day in Jerusalem and the people could sense it.
They could discern that something new was happening and they were filled with anticipation.
In this season of Advent, this second Sunday of advent we are reminded of our tasks at hand. In the midst of the distractions we are preparing ourselves, once again for the coming.
And so, we like they are open to new possibilities. We will tell others that the word of the Lord will endure forever. The people are like blades of grass. They will wither and die. The word of God revealed in God’s glory will endure forever.
We today in the midst of this advent season have the opportunity, as we prepare, to seek clarity. I must admit that seeking clarity in the midst of the holiday glitz and glamour fosters a lulling presence that says, forget that strange season in the church call Advent. The enticing presence of “all that glitters” is on the front row of those saying come and be with me. This season of waiting causes tension. The tension is produced from the mixed messages which somehow manage to permeate our being.
The complexities of contrasts which are all around us as we look eventually for the simplicity of a babe in a manger causes comfort to be sought in the midst of the terror of it all. The terror that eventually shows its head as we see that the Messiah is coming in a manner that we who live in the world but are not of the world are not accustomed to considering.
The anticipation of Joy from all those who seek his face are receiving the message of redemption and love being offered at the same time. We are still unsure, perhaps as to how all of this is going to work out. What we do know however, is that it is helpful and necessary to go into the tension of the season with humility and acceptance of God’s grace.
It is unrealistic to seek and renew our efforts if we actually believe that the success of the Advent season being effective depends upon us. It is incumbent upon us that we prepare in the midst of the double messages that we hear. That is the messages of significance of this time of year from a spiritual perspective and an infusion of world expectations from a commercial viewpoint. Those are the conflicting arenas from which we receive messages.
One of the ways to balance the complexities of the season and live into the tension in the midst of it all is suggested by Bishop Neil Alexander, Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta, in his book Waiting for The Coming. He writes these words as quoted from theologian and preacher: H. George Anderson
“There is a whole chorus of testimony
to the living, present Christ all around us.
It far exceeds the tinkle of cash registers,
the rattling of swords, and the babble of the holiday crowds.
Song of praise to God –with us cannot be stilled, because it does not depend merely on us or any other generation. We live with the echoes of earlier believers still sounding in our ears. And even before men and women took up the chorus, angels announced the good news over Bethlehem. So if one day our human voices should fall silent, the rocks and hills would take up the song. We have Jesus’ assurance of that”.
So let us remember the front runner, John the Baptist, in all of his coarseness and to some an offensive presence, spreading the word of God. Preparing the highway for the one to come. Sharing the light of love and commitment through the water of baptism. He was humble in his leadership to simply give the message that He was baptizing with water, but the one coming, the true Messiah would baptize with water and the Holy Spirit. And so as we wait for the Lord and make his paths straight, let us recall the freshness of this season. Our hunger is being fed and our thirst is being quenched.
Without the presence of God with us we can do nothing. The combination of the two, water and the Holy Spirit will prepare the way for us as we seek the continued comfort and inner peace that only God can give.
Amen.
Comments? Contact The Rev. Carolynne Williams: cwilliams@stphilipscathedral.org