WATCHING FOR THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST

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1 WATCHING FOR THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST The First Sunday of Advent (Year B) November 30, 201 Lessons Isaiah 6:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, st Corinthians 1:3-9 St. Mark 13:2-37 Pastor David J. Risendal drisendal@stplc.org facebook Dave Risendal Twitter: drisendal Saint Peter Lutheran Church 9300 East Belleview Avenue Greenwood Village, CO voice: 303/ fax: 303/ facebook.com/stplc Prayer of the Day Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection waken us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and keep us blameless until the coming of your new day, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. the presence of God waiting and watching in faith a life worth living Sermon 1 Grace to you and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Welcome to the First Sunday of Advent. Welcome to the first Sunday of a new church year. This is the liturgical version of New Year s Day. Every new year begins with this season we call Advent, which includes the four Sundays before Christmas. It is a time of preparing ourselves for the celebration of Christ's birth among us. Advent preparation has to do with waiting and watching for the coming of Christ. St. Bernard of Clairvaux lived in France during the twelfth century, and was a wise and faithful teacher in the church. He liked to remind his people that the church waits and watches for the coming Christ in three distinct (yet related) ways. We wait and watch for the coming of Christ in the past in Bethlehem, as we prepare to celebrate his birth at Christmastime. 1 Romans 1:7, 1 st Corinthians 1:3, 2 nd Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 st Thessalonians 1:1, 2 nd Thessalonians 1:2, Philemon 3; New Revised Version Bible ( 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America).

2 The First Sunday of Advent (November 30, 201) 2 We wait and watch for the coming of Christ in the present, as we participate in the disciplines and traditions of Advent that are designed to help us grow in faith. We wait and watch for the coming of Christ in the future, as we consider texts like this morning s Gospel, which remind us of our Lord s promise to return to us again. Jesus words, this week, are not easy to hear; in fact they may even seem a bit daunting. As he speaks of the end of time, he informs us that nobody knows, not even the Son of God, when this time will come. So in the meantime, the faithful (This includes you and me, in case you were wondering ) are called to beware; to keep alert; to be on the watch; to keep awake; and again: to keep awake. The repetition of these phrases indicates how important this is to Jesus, and just in case the words aren t enough for us, he provides an image. It is the image of a wealthy homeowner who goes on a journey, leaving the household servants in charge. The doorkeeper is given a special responsibility. He is to stand at the door and watch for the homeowner s return, in part so that the homeowner can be let in through the door upon arriving, but also in part so the other servants will remember that the homeowner is coming, and has expectations for how they will carry out their responsibilities. With these words and this image, Jesus calls us to be an Advent people; a people who are involved in waiting and watching for the return of the master. That is why, during this season, we have traditionally given extra attention to worship, daily devotions, meditation, and community service. Some have considered this to be a terrifying prospect. They think of this waiting and watching from the perspective of a naughty child who has been involved in misbehaving, and who is expecting to be disciplined when mom or dad returns home. But the image Jesus offers doesn t necessarily imply this. The opposite perspective could just as well be the case: a faithful servant, who may not have done everything perfectly, but has done his or her very best, and is eager for the master to arrive at home and see what has taken place during the time away. When we consider the image from this perspective, we realize that it isn t a message designed to fill our hearts with fear. Instead, it is a message that affirms us, encourages us, and assures us that the effort we have put into doing the Master s work is well worth it, if for no other reason than for the joy it brings to the Master. So like those servants, we too wait, and watch, and do our best. But let s put this call to watchfulness from the Gospel together with the Advent theme that Christ s coming to us has a past, present and future dimension. Then we realize this is a message calling us to be watchful not just for what might take place at the end of our lives, or at the end of all history, but in every moment of our lives. If any moment could be the moment when we become aware of Christ s presence in the world, it entirely changes the character of our experience. This is when watchful living becomes transforming. I am reminded of Scott Peck s story about a monastery. I know I have shared it with some of you before. It goes a little like this: There once was a monastery that had fallen upon hard times. It declined to the extent that there were only five monks left: the abbot and four others, all over seventy years in age. In the deep woods surrounding the monastery there was a little hut that a rabbi from a nearby town occasionally used for a hermitage. Through their many years of prayer and contemplation the old monks had become tuned into spiritual realities, so they could always sense when the rabbi was in his hermitage. The rabbi is in the

3 The First Sunday of Advent (November 30, 201) 3 woods, they would whisper. As he agonized over the imminent death of his order, it occurred to the abbot to visit the hermitage and ask the rabbi if by some possible chance he could offer any advice that might save the monastery. The rabbi welcomed the abbot at his hut. But when the abbot explained the purpose of his visit, the rabbi could only commiserate with him. I know how it is, he exclaimed. The spirit has gone out of the people. It is the same in my town. Almost no one comes to the synagogue anymore. So the old abbot and the old rabbi wept together. Then they read parts of the Torah and quietly spoke of faithfulness. The time came when the abbot had to leave. They embraced each other. It has been a wonderful thing that we should meet after all these years, the abbot said, but I have still failed in my purpose for coming here. Is there nothing you can tell me, no piece of advice you can give me that would help me save my dying order? No, I am sorry, the rabbi responded. I have no advice to give. The only thing I can tell you is that the Messiah is one of you. When the abbot returned to the monastery his fellow monks gathered around him to ask, Well what did the rabbi say? He couldn't help, the abbot answered. We just wept and read the Torah together. The only thing he did say, just as I was leaving, was that the Messiah is one of us. I don't know what he meant. In the days that followed, the old monks pondered this and wondered whether there was any possible significance to the rabbi s words. The Messiah is one of us? If that s the case, which one? Do you suppose he meant the abbot? He has been our leader for more than a generation. On the other hand, he might have meant Brother Thomas; he is a holy man. Certainly he could not have meant Brother Elred! He gets cranky and irritable but, you know, he is almost always right. Surely it isn t Brother Phillip. He is so passive, a real nobody. But he has this gift for always being there when you need him. Of course the rabbi didn't mean me. I'm just an ordinary person. Yet supposing he did? Suppose I am the Messiah? As they considered these possibilities, the old monks began to treat each other with extraordinary respect on the off chance that one among them might be the Messiah. And on the off chance that each monk himself might be the Messiah, they began to treat themselves with extraordinary respect. In time, this attitude changed the monastery in a remarkable way, and visitors began to notice the respect and dignity and grace that surrounded the five old monks, and seemed to radiate out from them and permeate the atmosphere of the place. Then it happened that some of the younger men who came to visit the monastery started to talk more and more with the old monks. After a while one asked if he could join them. Then another. And another. So within a few years the monastery had once again become a thriving order and, thanks to the rabbi s gift, a vibrant center of light and spirituality. 2 This is what it means to wait and watch for the coming of Christ: to realize that at any moment at any moment Christ could come, and to be aware of this could change everything. The season of Advent invites us to practice this waiting and watching. When the darkness of the world settles in, and our hearts become heavy, a waiting and watching people are aware of the presence of God that grants us peace and strength. When we 2 From The Different Drum, by Dr. M. Scott Peck, M.D. (Simon & Schuster, 1987)

4 The First Sunday of Advent (November 30, 201) become aware of cruelty or injustice, a waiting and watching people are aware of the presence of God that gives us courage, that we might speak out and advocate for change. When we are in the presence of suffering, a waiting and watching people are aware of the the presence of God that stirs us to compassion, and moves through us to give comfort and hope. When we experience joy and delight, a waiting and watching people are aware of the presence of God that deepens our sense of gratitude. Honoring the season of Advent is more than following tradition for tradition s sake. It is an invitation to change the way we see the world; the way we see ourselves. As we worship, pray, study the scriptures, serve the community, and look for the presence of God in our lives, may we be inspired, like the monks of Scott Peck s story, to remember that we worship a God who lives among us today, who longs to find a place in our hearts and our homes, and who through us, hopes to change the world. Amen. David J. Risendal, Pastor Gospel Lesson; English Text 3 13:2 [Jesus said,] But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 3 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake. Gospel Lesson; Greek Text: 13.2 Ἀλλα ἐν ἐκείναις ται ς ἡµέραις µετα τη ν θλι ψιν ἐκείνην ὁ ἥλιος σκοτισθήσεται, και ἡ σελήνη οὐ δώσει το φέγγος αὐτη ς, 25 και οἱ ἀστέρες ἔσονται ἐκ του οὐρανου πίπτοντες, και αἱ δυνάµεις αἱ ἐν τοι ς οὐρανοι ς σαλευθήσονται. 26 και τότε ὄψονται το ν υἱο ν του ἀνθρώπου ἐρχόµενον ἐν νεφέλαις µετα δυνάµεως πολλη ς και δόξης. 27 και τότε ἀποστελει του ς ἀγγέλους και ἐπισυνάξει του ς ἐκλεκτου ς [αὐτου ] ἐκ τω ν τεσσάρων ἀνέµων ἀπ ἄκρου γη ς ἕως ἄκρου οὐρανου. 3 A list of Bible lessons for the coming weeks is available at St. Mark 13:2-37, New Revised Standard Version Bible ( 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America).

5 The First Sunday of Advent (November 30, 201) 5 28 Ἀπο δε τη ς συκη ς µάθετε τη ν παραβολήν ὅταν ἤδη ὁ κλάδος αὐτη ς ἁπαλο ς γένηται και ἐκφύῃ τα φύλλα, γινώσκετε ὅτι ἐγγυ ς το θέρος ἐστίν 29 οὕτως και ὑµει ς, ὅταν ἴδητε ταυ τα γινόµενα, γινώσκετε ὅτι ἐγγύς ἐστιν ἐπι θύραις. 30 Ἀµη ν λέγω ὑµι ν ὅτι οὐ µη παρέλθῃ ἡ γενεα αὕτη µέχρις οὑ ταυ τα πάντα γένηται. 31 ὁ οὐρανο ς και ἡ γη παρελεύσονται, οἱ δε λόγοι µου οὐ µη παρελεύσονται. 32 Περι δε τη ς ἡµέρας ἐκείνης ἢ τη ς ὥρας οὐδει ς οἰ δεν, οὐδε οἱ ἄγγελοι ἐν οὐρανῳ οὐδε ὁ υἱός, εἰ µη ὁ πατήρ. 33 Βλέπετε, ἀγρυπνει τε οὐκ οἴδατε γα ρ πότε ὁ καιρός ἐστιν. 3 Ὡς ἄνθρωπος ἀπόδηµος ἀφει ς τη ν οἰκίαν αὐτου και δου ς τοι ς δούλοις αὐτου τη ν ἐξουσίαν ἑκάστῳ το ἔργον αὐτου και τῳ θυρωρῳ ἐνετείλατο ἵνα γρηγορῃ. 35 γρηγορει τε οὐ ν οὐκ οἴδατε γα ρ πότε ὁ κύριος τη ς οἰκίας ἔρχεται, ἢ ὀψε ἢ µεσονύκτιον ἢ ἀλεκτοροφωνίας ἢ πρωί, 36 µη ἐλθω ν ἐξαίφνης εὕρῃ ὑµα ς καθεύδοντας. 37 ὃ δε ὑµι ν λέγω πα σιν λέγω, γρηγορει τε. 5 First Lesson; English Text: 6.1 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! 3 When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. 5 You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed 6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7 There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. 8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. 9 Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people. 6 Second Lesson; English Text: 1.3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 5 6 St. Mark 13:2-37, The Greek New Testament, Aland, Kurt, Black, Matthew, Martini, Carlo M., Metzger, Bruce M., and Wikgren, Allen, ( 1983, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft Stuttgart). Isaiah 6:1-9, New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit.

6 The First Sunday of Advent (November 30, 201) 6 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 7 Second Lesson; Greek Text: 1:3 χάρις ὑµῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡµῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Εὐχαριστῶ τῷ θεῷ µου πάντοτε περὶ ὑµῶν ἐπὶ τῇ χάριτι τοῦ θεοῦ τῇ δοθείσῃ ὑµῖν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, 5 ὅτι ἐν παντὶ ἐπλουτίσθητε ἐν αὐτῷ, ἐν παντὶ λόγῳ καὶ πάσῃ γνώσει, 6 καθὼς τὸ µαρτύριον τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐβεβαιώθη ἐν ὑµῖν, 7 ὥστε ὑµᾶς µὴ ὑστερεῖσθαι ἐν µηδενὶ χαρίσµατι ἀπεκδεχοµένους τὴν ἀποκάλυψιν τοῦ κυρίου ἡµῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ 8 ὃς καὶ βεβαιώσει ὑµᾶς ἕως τέλους ἀνεγκλήτους ἐν τῇ ἡµέρᾳ τοῦ κυρίου ἡµῶν Ἰησοῦ [Χριστοῦ]. 9 πιστὸς ὁ θεός, δἰ οὗ ἐκλήθητε εἰς κοινωνίαν τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ κυρίου ἡµῶν st Corinthians 1:3-9, New Revised Standard Version Bible, opp. cit. 1 st Corinthians 1:3-9, The Greek New Testament, opp. cit.