A Season of Sorrow, A Time of Darkness,
An Advent of Hope
Sermon by the Rev. DWHinkle
Advent 3C 12-13-2015
Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Luke 3:7-18
This has been a Season of Sorrow and a Time of Darkness.
It began with the Syrian refugee crisis, continued with terrorist attacks in Paris, France, and
culminated in another terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California. We have been traumatised yet again
by senseless sufferings and shootings. We may not be directly connected to these tragedies, but we all
feel the pain of the families who lost children, parents, family and friends. We feel great sadness that
violence is so prevalent in our world. We fear its unpredictability, and realise it could have been me, my
children, my family or friends. We pray for all those whose lives were suddenly cut short; for family and
friends whose hearts remain unconsoled; for emergency response people, care-givers and counsellors,
for police, and, yes, even for the perpetrators. We are more keenly aware of our vulnerability, and on
this Mid-Advent morning we long for a saviour.
The prophet Zephaniah speaks to us of a day... when “the Lord is in our midst and we shall fear
disaster no more.” He speaks to us of a day... when “he will remove disaster from us, so that we will
not bear reproach for it.” He promises us a day... when “he will rejoice over us with gladness, when he
will renew us in his love, and will exult over us with loud singing, as on a day of festival.” Our nation
and the world long for the coming of this day.
John the Baptist believed the water of baptism would turn us away from disaster. He gets right in our
face, as he did the crowds' that came out to be baptised by him, and chastens us with harsh words that
shake us up. “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Vipers are
snakes that are likely to make a pre-emptive strike, lashing out in rage or fear at their perceived enemies.
Could it be that violence is itself the viper? Does this describe human nature?
Sternly, John tells us to“Bear fruits worthy of repentance.” Show by our lives, by our desires, by our
actions that we have turned away from violence and all that creates an atmosphere for it. He challenges
us to re-think our culture. He calls us to a different way of living, not premised on besting and outdoing
each other, which leaves some behind (often young men) who then fester.. and explode!
When confronted by reality, John the Baptist’s crowd knew something had to change; things couldn't
continue as they were without disaster following. And we humans are the ones who are bringing “the
wrath to come” upon ourselves. God does not visit violence upon us. God has nothing to do with our
violence. God sent Jesus to stop it. We don’t know how to stop the mounting violence.
John answers: “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has
food must do likewise.” We must remove the sources of envy and rage. We must care for one another
and attend the stranger who feels left behind. We must turn and look to God who causes rain to fall on
the just and the unjust alike.
To the tax collector, John says, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” In other
words, renounce your desire to best your neighbour by taking more than your due, just because you can.
To the soldier, he answered, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be
satisfied with your wages.” Don’t use your power to coerce unjustly; it sets up rage and sows seeds of
violence. Be content with what you have.
John goes to the root of the human problem by addressing the disparity that creates conflict in the
first place. His spiritual direction reduces the causes of violence, which is anything that fosters rivalry
and envy. Getting rid of what contributes to violence is more important than acquiring and maintaining
power and status.
Our president has called for “meaningful action” to stop random violence, but he didn't spell out the
details. What would this meaningful action look like? Some advocate a complete shutdown of our
borders to all Muslims and foreigners. Surely this is meaningful action that would keep us safe. The
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problem is that foreigners or Muslims or even radical Muslims aren't the whole problem, not even close.
The sad fact is that since the tragic shootings at the school in Sandy Hook, Connecticut just three years
ago this month, 90,000 Americans,.. 90,000 Americans have been victims of gun violence. And white
males, yes,.. white males have committed the majority of mass shootings, and most of them were
Christians, not Muslims. You can Google this information for yourselves. How do we close our borders
to these white, male, American, Christian, domestic terrorists? I for one refuse to scapegoat one group of
people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, social class or religion, for a problem that belongs
to all of us. Our Lord himself was victimised by us in this way long ago.
John the Baptist tells each social group that anything that helps reduce violence is extremely
important. At its root the gospel message points toward shalom, peace. Whatever contributes to peace
has to do with the gospel. This is the message that's coming clearer to me in our violent and turbulent
time. Jesus is all about peace. He teaches us how to live together in peace. The peace of Christ be always
with you.
The people who heard John speak recognised that he was on to something. It felt right, and they got
excited and felt hopeful. “As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their
hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,.." But John’s way depends too heavily on
human effort. It doesn’t get at the heart. John does his best but he knows something more is needed. “I
baptise you with water," he proclaims, "but the one who is more powerful than I is coming. He will
baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Jesus is our Advent Hope in this season of sorrow and time of darkness. He is the one the Prophet
Malachi described as “like a refiner’s fire.” He has the power to refine us like gold and silver, and burn
away the dross and the chaff. Could violence be the chaff?
Is the Coming One different from John the Baptist because he makes himself the chaff, and this is
what changes people’s hearts? He allows himself to be burned by our violence and then... forgives us,
even as we do it to him. Is this how he gathers the wheat into his granary? Is this the refiner's fire?
Rather than inflicting violence and revenge, Jesus absorbs the violence we inflict on him. And his
forgiveness is the flaming fire of love. This is how he changes our hearts and burns away our chaff. The
good news is that this is coming and has already happened. Not even John the Baptist could imagine it!
The Coming One turns us from violence. He changes even our desires.
This Christmas, let your gentleness be known to everyone. Let your hearts be filled with expectation.
Our Saviour has come! He will renew us in his burning fire of Love.
Source: "Searing Sorrow, Deep Darkness and Advent Waiting"
A Sermon by the Rev. Laura and Dr. Tom Truby
Advent 3C. December 16, 2012
All Saints Episcopal Church
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