Sermon by Stuart Pike

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Sermon by Carol Langlotz

Photo Credit: Birmingham Museum Art Gallery on Flickr.com

Sermon by Elliott Siteman

Photo Credit: paupsers on Flickr.com

Sermon by Carol Langlotz

Photo Credit: Moh Tj on Flickr.com

No audio version today, but the text version follows:

Homily for Dec. 8, 2013 for ST. Luke's Church (based on readings from Isa.11:1-10; Rom. 15:4-13; Matt. 3:1-12 (Ps. 72:1-8
Once again in this Advent season we hear the words of the prophet Isaiah calling down through the ages: " A shoot shall come out of the stump of Jesse, and the spirit of the Lord shall rest on him." Yes a great prophecy made some 1500 years before the culmination of it would take place Then we also hear the proclamation from John the Baptist saying, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven draws near." This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah has spoken. As we approach the wonderful feast of Christmas, world peace which is part of our Christmas prayer may only seem like a dream. Even in today's Gospel reading, we heard John the Baptist announcing the coming Messiah, and he spoke of the destruction and fire which would come. Yes, John was trying to prepare his listeners by reminding them that we are known by our lives and actions; for he calls people to reflect on their lives. We need to make changes in our lives; yes to prepare our hearts in order to welcome the Messiah. John says, "Welcome, one another, just as Christ has welcomed you."
Now, most likely John was a cousin to Jesus, as his mother was Elizabeth, whom Mary visited when she found she was pregnant. His father was Zechariah, a priest in the Temple. John was a popular guy, with the crowds, in spite of his stern messages, and that was because he gave them good news. Our readings indicate that while John had been in the wilderness preaching, he called people to repent of their sins. He did say some important things to the people, yes strong things they needed to hear; but he also gave them some good news, and that was hope. They could repent of their sinful ways, and turn their lives around before it was too late. This was a hopeful message.
Assuredly, some thought that John might be the promised Messiah himself; but he made it clear that there would be one who would be more powerful than he, who would come. Although John was a prophet; he wasn't the promised Messiah. Jesus himself asked John to baptize him with water.
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So it would be fulfilled , as we read in Matthew's Gospel vs. 13 -"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him."
This practise probably sprang from the members of the Qumran community, who were a group of ascetics in Jesus' day who practiced a ritual of washing, which was repeated periodically as a symbolic cleansing from recent sin. In our time, the Qumran Community became known, of course because of its' association with the Dead Sea Scrolls which were found in an area some 20 miles from Jerusalem. It's thought this was probably the area where John lived. John's baptism seemingly was a one time procedure, whereas the Qumran Community's was every time someone sinned. Those who responded to John's preaching and repented were baptised, with water. They then joined a faithful remnant of people who believed there would be a swift end of fiery judgement for the world . We remember John's words, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." This was a call to people to prepare themselves morally and spiritually, before the judgement day.
Now, much of the end-time speculation and writings of this time focused on a coming new order which God would initiate, where the righteous people would participate in the kingdom of God. William Barclay writes in an interpretation of the Book of Matthew that what was striking about this was that John's baptism was for sinners, yet no Jew ever conceived of himself as a sinner, shut out from God. Now some scholars are still puzzled about the purpose of Jesus' baptism by John for why would a sinless Jesus be baptized? We to are left to puzzle the answer for this, ourselves. Never-the-less Jesus submits to baptism because he is a certain kind of Messiah. He is a Messiah in deeds and actions, not just in word. And isn't this just what he has called us to be? Not just a nominal believer and follower but to show our love and faith in God by our deeds, actions and words. No we can't just be a Sunday Christian, we too must show our love for God in our actions and deeds..
Interestingly, I believe that some theologians surmise that Jesus' submission to baptism foreshadows his acceptance of the cross. Here is the Messiah who does more than express sympathy for our painful sinful human condition.
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Yes, he enters into it. He knows the way will not be easy but he fully identifies with the consequences and remedies. We could say Jesus himself becomes our premier model for righteousness which combines faith with actions.
Now, interwoven throughout our readings today is the call to prophetic witness. So although it might be easy for us to focus on John's message of God's kingdom; the call for us is to be witnesses to the peaceable kingdom of God.
At this introspective season of Advent, we too long to have Jesus come into our lives, to cleanse us of our sins and strengthen us to grow in grace, as we are each called to reach out to the poor, care for the afflicted, to welcome strangers into our lives and homes, and to live companionably with one another. We do this because we are all part of the human race, yes we are God's children. Yes the good news of Christ is needed today as well.
In Paul's writings to the church in Rome; he taught them to embrace a new way of life. He also encourages us in our generation to reach out to others. Some ways or concrete suggestions are that we could perhaps share a meal with someone, or visit those who are forgotten, the poor , the sick, the elderly and the lonely. This isn't so difficult as it might seem. We simply need to move beyond the thousands of excuses we make for ourselves and to simply act. You see, by embracing others and welcoming others we show the love of God which he has first sown us.
Then again, our reading from Romans tells us to live in harmony with one another. This is certainly a good message which we need to hear in the season of Advent as we rush through the days preparing for Christmas. We want everything to be perfect and in harmony, especially as we welcome our family and friends, home at this holiday time. At times we try too hard, and become just worn out and too exhausted from our preparations to enjoy this very special time, and so I caution you, as I do myself to make time for reflection. Take time to think and reflect on the readings and teachings of this time, so Christmas will indeed be blessed event in our lives. Attend the services with the beautiful liturgy, and sing the Carols heartily. Indeed let their words sink into your hearts and move your
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spirits. Take time to contemplate the biblical readings. What did they say to the people of the time when they were written? What do they say to you today? You could also attend the Advent Bible Study, which has begun, but it's not too late to do this. All of these things
Some may find this a lonely time of year, because of certain circumstances in their lives, when others are joining in happy celebrations. It's not always easy for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, or the loss of a job, or have serious illness in their lives, or a marriage break-up. It can be bearable, it is easier, it can be joyful when we remember that God is waiting to be fully immersed in our lives. We just need to open our hearts and truly let God immerse himself in our mortal being.
In the Book of Revelation (21:3) it is written," See the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them. Yes there are times in our lives, when we do feel lost or alone; we feel that God is far from us, and we are far from Him. We long to be close to God again, to perhaps re-establish the relationship which we once had with him. Perhaps we like homeless children who long to come home to God.
St. Augustine said just this when he prayed, "Thou hast made us for thyself and our souls are restless until they find their rest in Thee." During Advent the Gospel invites us to find our way home to God; to follow the pathway that leads to the manger of Bethlehem; to make our way to the place where God was homeless and all of us our at home.
A noted British author and poet, G.K. Chesterton captured the sense of this universal longing in his classic poem, "The House of Christmas." Here is just a little portion of the poem he wrote, To an open house in the evening, home shall all people come.
To an older place than Eden; and a taller town than Rome; to the end of the way of the wandering star.
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To the things that cannot be and that are; to the place where God was homeless; and all people are at home . (from modern British Poetry p,.210-211)
This Christmas- come home to God, he is waiting for you. Amen
The German theologian Jurgen Moltmann described the process of God's coming into the world as a process of discovery and so I'll share his writing with you:
"The coming One is in the process of his coming and can be grasped only in that light: as on the road walking with us.....the way of Christ comes into being under the feet of the person who walks it. To tread the way of Christ means believing in Him. Believing in Him means going with Him along the part of the road he is taking at the present moment."
I leave you with the question this morning, "Would you care to join us in this journey at this Advent season?"
Let us pray: We thank you Lord for sending your Son Jesus Christ into the world to remind us of who we are and who you have called us to be. In Jesus name Amen.

Sermon by Stuart Pike

Photo Credit: Emily of Flickr.com

A Painting by Henry Osawa Tanner.

Sermon Text:

Advent Carol 2013

Isaiah 65: 17-25

Luke 1: 26-38

So I begin today with a question which I want you to consider:

Do you believe that God is still active in the world today?

In what ways?

I suspect that there are many people in our community, and even in our Church who really don’t feel that God is an active character in the story of their lives. Oh sure many, perhaps most, do believe in God, it’s just that they believe in a God who sort of hangs around in the background, perhaps being supportive, watching and waiting, but not very present. Perhaps many people believe in the Clockmaker God: the one who makes the clock, which then operates independently of God. Maybe, even, God comes back now and again to wind up the clock, but other than that, God is absent.

This is not a biblical understanding of God. In the bible, God does things. God is deeply involved with people and usually operates through the work of human hands. God is there directing people how to follow in God’s path, how to be faithful, how to serve God’s purposes in their lives.

But then again, in the bible God did some pretty showy things: creating the whole universe was pretty spectacular, don’t you think? And then amazing things like dividing seas, stopping the sun from moving in the sky, toppling walls, inspiring people to make momentous faith decisions and taking heroic actions, forming nations and more, and more, and more.

Is God still active in the world today?

And if so, how does God work.

It’s easy to think that maybe God used to do all that stuff, but God isn’t really interested in making a big show of it now. God used to have awesome people who would do holy work, would tell of God’s plans and would bring people around. God used to pick important and holy people whose names are written down in the bible, but there just aren’t those kind of important people today, some might think. People are just normal today, some of them are really bright, most of them are nice (usually), but we just don’t have bible-caliber people today.

But wait a sec. Let’s really look at what is happening in today’s Gospel reading.

The Angel Gabriel comes to announce God’s amazing plan of salvation to Mary, and to tell her of her part in it.

He starts by saying, “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.”

Favoured one! I am sure she had never heard anything like such a greeting before from anyone outside her own family. Favoured one? She was a teenaged girl in a society where women, let alone girls, had no power and little regard.

Not only that, she was from Nazareth, a backwater town which prompted Nathaniel to ask Philip, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

On the totem pole of her society, Mary was on the bottom bit which is covered by at least six feet of earth!

The Gospel says that Mary is perplexed by this greeting. “Favoured one? The Lord is with me?” Impossible! “How can this be?” and Mary debates with herself, “what can be the meaning of this?”

Then the angel continues to tell of God’s plan to bring Jesus into the world, a great man who will be given the throne of his ancestor, David.

Is this supposed to be reassurance? Now Mary might be a teenaged girl, and probably unschooled, but she knows enough to understand that here is another impossibility. It just doesn’t work that simply when it comes to babies. Everyone knows that.

“How can this be,” she asks.

How can the lowliest be favoured? And how can they be chosen to bear the Christ

Sermon by Elliott Siteman

Photo Credit: Lawrence OP on Flickr.com

Sorry, no audio this week but the sermon text follows:

There’s a lot going on today – though that’s nothing new here at St. Luke’s – so I have a challenge ahead of me this morning. Today I have to talk about the Reign of Christ, Baptism, and it is Stewardship Sunday to boot. In some way I have to attempt to connect all of these things and how they relate to the scripture we have heard today. Oh and I need to be brief. So I will confess to you that earlier this week I was at a bit of a loss and approached this task with fear and trembling.

Well, all I can say now is… buckle up – it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.

Today we bring to an end the Christian Calendar. We conclude our year with the festival of Christ the King or the Reign of Christ as it has become known. We sum up all that we have experienced in our year by pointing ourselves toward the one inescapable truth – that Jesus is Christ is our King! And that king reigns in all that we do, in all that we are, and in all that we share.

And what a wonderful way to express this joy – this reality in our lives as Christians – by welcoming new members into our midst through the waters of baptism.

These families were two of the first families to be prepared in our new program. I am exceedingly proud of these families and I want them to know that. They have shown commitment and have taken this with the seriousness it deserves. And I think I speak for the vast majority of those gathered here – it is glorious to hear your children during our worship services! And to you I say, thank you, thank you, thank you.

We come to this great festival that should be full of celebration and joy and we are met with a Gospel reading that is less than cheery. When I first read the lections for this day I was extremely troubled and dismayed to find the story of the crucifixion. But the more I sat with it, the more it made sense to me.

Here’s how it made sense to me (and how I think it makes sense for our celebrations today): we are baptized with water. Water is the outward and visible symbol we use. We use it because we need water to live AND water can kill us. Water is both living giving and life taking.

We are baptized into the crucifixion; in that when we are baptized we die to an old life that comes to an end. In the waters of baptism we drown all that separates us from God. In the waters of baptism we wash away the chaos that is sin and death.

The crucifixion is central to what we believe and how we live out our baptismal covenant. For through the crucifixion we have been given a life that has no end. The crucifixion does not make any sense without the result that is the resurrection. If the story ended with the crucifixion then we would not be here today. But the story does not end there… Jesus, our King, passed through the crucifixion to give us eternity with God.

Again the symbol of water is what is important here. Water gives us life. Thus, through the waters of baptism we have found new life. Through the waters of baptism we are reborn into a life that has no end. Through the waters of baptism we are united as a community that is so full of life that is cannot be contained and we simply must look beyond ourselves.

Through the waters of baptism we respond to that new life by making promises to live the life of those who are redeemed, of those who are saved from sin and death, of those who believe that Christ is our King and through him we live and move and have our being.

And so, what does all this have to do with stewardship?

In the waters of baptism and through the waters of baptism we make a covenant with God and in that covenant we promise God to live the life of heirs. As heirs of God’s creation we are to be good stewards of our promises to live lives of disciples.

I’m not sure if many of you are fans of the TV show The Simpsons but there is a very poignant episode that sums this up very well… at least for me.

Bart has a major project to do for school and he has left it too late. Late in the night he gets on his knees and he prays to God for a miracle – for a snow day. He prays that if he gets a snow day he will use the whole day to do his homework to the best of his ability. His sister Lisa overhears this plea.

The next morning Bart’s miracle happens – he gets his snow day. But rather than do his homework he is running down the stairs with his sled. Lisa meets him at the door and says, “I heard you praying last night and you promised God that if this miracle happened you would do your homework. Now I don’t know who or what God is but I do know that God is more powerful than Mom and Dad put together so you had better do what you have promised.

With those words Bart heads back to his room, and does his homework.

I don’t know who or what God is, but God is more powerful than all the Moms and Dads put together so we had better keep our promises to the best of our ability.

My prayer for Ava and Isla, and indeed for us all, is that we will see that as baptized people we can rejoice in all we do because Jesus, our King, has prepared the way for us so that we need not fear. That in the waters of baptism we will recognize we are connected to something far beyond ourselves. That through the waters of baptism we may joyfully go forth so that we will be with Jesus in Paradise.

Amen.

Sermon by Carole Langlotz

Photo Credit: Jake Bouma on Flickr.com

Sermon by Elliott Siteman

Photo Credit: L.C. Nøttaasen on FLickr.com

Sermon by Carole Langlotz

Photo Credit: Stephen Cuyos on Flickr.com

Sermon by Stuart Pike

Photo Credit: Sandy Darling, Diocese of Niagara

Sermon Text:

Today we are celebrating as the Feast day of St. Luke, our Patron Saint. This is the reason we celebrated with some feasting of our own last night.

Besides being our Patron Saint, St. Luke is also the patron of:

artists bachelors

bookbinders brewers

glass makers glassworkers

gold workers goldsmiths

lacemakers notaries

painters butchers

physicians sculptors

stained glass workers surgeons

Capena, Italy Hermersdorf, Germany

Luke is called “the beloved physician” by St. Paul and this is the reason why he is the patron saint of physicians and surgeons. It is also the reason why the order of St. Luke is an international ministry of healers. And that’s why we are doing a healing mass today.

But it is important to note that other than a couple of biblical and historical notes that Luke was a physician, we hear nothing more about his work as a physician.

What he is really known for is his ability to tell the story of Jesus and to communicate that story so effectively that it has changed the lives of countless people.

So how did a physician – a healer – get into the occupation of story-telling? Could there be any connection between his two occupations?

I think that St. Luke thinks like I and many others do about healing: it’s the concept of holistic healing: that you can’t divide a person up into parts and just treat one part of them. A person is physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, social and healing is about the whole person. Healing is about bringing people to wholeness of being in body, mind and spirit.

So this physician, Luke at some point encountered Jesus and was so changed by him that he understood that the best way that he could spend his life was to tell the amazing story of Jesus. Luke knew that people getting to know Jesus would make the biggest impact on their wholeness of being. His storytelling was his greatest healing work.

Today’s Gospel gives us Luke’s account of Jesus’ inaugural address. At least, these are the first public words of Jesus in St. Luke’s account. St. Luke does say that a good report about him had spread throughout Galilee and that he had already begun to teach in their synagogues, but Luke starts his recording of Jesus’ words at this event, when he has returned to his hometown of Nazareth.

He follows the regular liturgy of his time: standing to read the scripture and sitting down to teach.

He stands and reads to them the prophecy from the book of Isaiah. I can imagine how wonderfully he read. It is such a comforting passage. Isaiah prophecies “good news to the poor, release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Doesn’t that sound like a really nice passage? What a lovely image. How could anyone object to such a comforting passage? I can just see everyone nodding their agreement. Won’t that be a wonderful time, they think. Getting back to the idea of holistic healing, they would be thinking, won’t that be such a healing time, when all of this comes to pass. Wont’ it be wonderful when God rescues us from illness, blindness, oppression and poverty?

Isn’t that something that we long for too? Do you ever imagine the coming of God’s kingdom? When there will be peace and justice for all? When every tear will be wiped away? When illness will be no more? When we will be totally, holistically healed?

Like Jesus’ hearers in Nazareth we might think, “What a lovely thought.” It is really something