Year A Advent 3 2016 “Not Even Fools”

Year A Advent 3

11 Dec 2016, St. David’s, Aylett, VA

“Not Even Fools”

[Please note, all texts used are included at the end. Blessings!]

The prophet proclaims:

A highway shall be there,

and it shall be called the Holy Way;

the unclean shall not travel on it,

but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.

On God’s highway, no one, not even fools can get lost. [Self-deprecatingly] Gives me hope!

This third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of Joy, which is why we lit the pink candle. The purple is often a sign of contrition, much like Lent, and we prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming and coming again, much like we do for his Resurrection. But today is Joy, for there is Joy that the waiting is almost done. The Savior is almost come.

And as we look at the Way of the Lord, we see that many are joyous, our fellow pilgrims on the Lord’s Highway.

I love this time of year. I love the music. I love the buzz and stir, the excitement is palpable. It seems like everyone is on the same page, we all got the memo. We have much to be thankful for, much to give joy for...

• First and foremost the coming of Jesus. Hallelujah! But we have added so much more.
• Family.
• Community.
• Light against the darkening skies.
• It is a festive season and all the best gets lumped in.

People do not think twice about santa hats or silly sweaters, and people laugh and enjoy rather than point fingers.

Our canticle that we read, the Canticle of Mary, proclaims the Joy and Hope and Faith of her, a young teen probably whose faith was greater than the fear of possible judgment, scorn, or even death for shaming her family. She declares the greatness and goodness of God.

Some days faith is easy. We have strong feelings and can shout Hallelujah! We know without a doubt that God is God and God is good. God rules from heaven and all's right with the world! She said:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

This season is a resounding bell of faith. Faith that the shortening days will lengthen. Faith that the darkening moods with lighten. Faith that the wrong shall fail, and the right prevail.

Today’s collect calls us to the strengthened and renewed faith. Let nothing stand in our way of coming to God. Jesus opens the door, and allows us in. We prayed in our Collect for the day:

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord...

I think that is why candles and light are so inextricably bound to this time of year. Light is the symbol of what we are feeling.

The last few years our family has enjoyed going to Busch Gardens for Christmastown to see the supposed 8 million lights. We always make sure, despite the cold, to take the Skyride, the gondolas on the cables going from country to country so we can begin to get a scope on the millions and millions of lights shining. It is a bit overwhelming, but oh so beautiful.

We went on Friday night, earlier this year than we usually go, but we wanted to beat the crowds that come as the holiday gets closer. It was a cold, cold night. I should have had an extra layer on, but I didn’t. At the end of the night, we got in line for our traditional Skyride to end our day. In France, there was no line, we got right on. But at the transfer station in Germany we had to get off and get back on. There was already quite the line there. We waited about 10 minutes, not too long, when the ride suddenly stopped. It just stopped. The employees kept announcing to those way up above the ground to stay in their seats and not worry. It was only a temporary delay.

I was quite glad we were still in the station, not up on the cable out in the wind. What was a fun and enjoyable cap on the evening could have become a long and cold pause on the joy if we had been stuck up there. After 10 or 12 minutes, the ride got going again, and we jumped on not thinking about it.

The joy is contagious and palpable for many this time of year. It SEEMS like everyone gets the memo. The Joy is there for many. But not all.

I think of the people stuck in the skyride cars, alone, in the dark, waiting. This was supposed to be fun, right? But in the cold and dark they sat alone swinging, seeing the lights far below and far away, and here they were apart. Trying to get to the joy, but something is holding them back.

In all of our Joy this time of year, some see the memo, but cannot get on board. On this day of Joy I want to speak to those who might be feeling it this year.

Some are like that, stuck away from the Joy of the Coming. John the Baptizer was like that. In fact, exactly like that. We see him at the baptism, and at the sending off of two of his disciples to follow Jesus, but then he is arrested. Prophets of God get that a lot. They speak the Truth to Power, and they are the ones who pay the price for this. John certainly did. He accused Herod of inappropriate relations with his dead brother’s wife. Herod knew he was in the wrong. His wife, though, hated John for it and it would eventually cost him his head. Literally. But now, his ministry is over, he is in prison awaiting his fate, and he begins to have doubts. He hears what is going on with Jesus, the success he is having, the crowds coming to him now. And John wonders, Is he the one? I mean, really? I thought he was. He seemed to be. My whole life has been about what HE was to do, but if that is true, what am I doing here? Let me be sure.

So he does the only thing he can do, send word to his cousin, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” He wanted to know. Just like the people stuck in the Skyride on Friday night, the announcements kept going up, This is only a temporary delay, please stay calm and in your seats. Thank you. And Jesus sent a message to John, one that John would get immediately. He could have said YES, but he did something more. He reminded him of what was promised hundreds of years before they both were born about what would happen when the Messiah finally came. Jesus’ answer was a reminder of the promise, and an affirmation that it was coming true.

We read the promise today in Isaiah:

Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
"Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you."
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

John, despite being a mighty prophet of God, was just like the rest of us. There are moments of fear and doubt. There are times when even the best of us wonder, what is going to happen. We all have moments of Fear. It is said that the Bible says Fear not! Or Do not be afraid!  365 times. Even if we are afraid every day, the Bible speaks to our fear.

So instead of answering the question, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus sends this message.

“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

Jesus was telling John in a way that he would hear and understand. Those promises of long ago from God are coming true. And in reminding him this way, I thoroughly believe he would have heard the words from Isaiah, “Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear!’”

In a moment of fear and doubt, just like we all have, John was honest and real. He needed to know. His days were numbered, and he knew it. And Jesus said, between the lines, You know the truth. Fear not.

Sometimes we just have to be reminded.

Just like John will always be pointing to and affirming Jesus, most of our major characters have a sidekick or a buddy. John looked to Jesus, and Linus looks to Charlie Brown.

Last year, someone took notice of something unique and powerful in 51-year-old cartoon, A Charlie Brown Christmas. I have been watching it my whole life, and had never noticed this until it came to light last year. I noticed it a few days ago, making the rounds on Facebook again this year.

Charlie Brown is one of those people who got the memo that he should be happy, but just cannot find a way there. He tries and tries and tries, to no avail. After the Christmas play he is directing is about to flop he asks he best friend, Linus, what Christmas is all about.

Now picture Linus in your head. What does he always have? It is always with him. His security blanket. It is ubiquitous. When we see Linus, we see the blanket. It is always with him. Charlie Brown’s insecurities are internal. Linus’s are external in the form of his blanket.

When Charlie Brown asks the true meaning of Christmas, Linus walks to center stage and quotes from Luke 2 (vv. 8-14).

He says, “Lights please.” And the spotlight goes on him.

Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not:"

And this is what I never noticed before last year. And I have checked. It is true and it happens right here. When he speaks for the angels, the very messengers of God, Linus drops all his insecurities. His security blanket drops to the floor and we know because his close up shows both his hands. “Fear not…”

When he is reminded of what God promised and how it was coming true, all his fears parted.

Linus Van Pelt: "for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

And then he, like so many of us, picks up his blanket and begins sucking his thumb all over again. But in that moment, he was comforted. And he was a comfort.

Jesus did not judge John for his question, and in fact said he was one of the greatest humans ever born. High praise from the Son of God.

The people on the frozen Skyride in the winter wind.

Linus with his blanket.

John awaiting news.

We all have moments of doubt. We all have moments when we need to be reminded to Fear Not. And that is one of the reasons why we have a time every year to remember, to remember and celebrate. Jesus was born. Jesus died. Jesus rose again. We have been saved. We have no need of fear or sorrow. It is good to be reminded. It is good to let go of our insecurities and trust in the promises of Scripture. Just like Linus. Just like John. Just like me. And maybe just like you. In our weakness, he is strong.

It is a good thing that not even fools can get lost on the Lord’s Highway, and we we doubt that we can, God’s word gets to us. Let there be Joy! Thanks be to God! Amen.

SCRIPTURES AND TEXTS USED

Title comes from Isaiah 35:

A highway shall be there,

and it shall be called the Holy Way;

the unclean shall not travel on it,

but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.

Collect: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Canticle 15 Page 91, BCP The Song of Mary Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *

the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, *

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Matthew 11:2-11

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.’

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”