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3 Advent B—December 14, 2014
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Canticle 3
1 Thessaloonians 5:16-34
John 1”6-8, 19-28
The Rev. David R. Wilt
Many years ago my family owned a business in Fernandina
Beach and, most days about mid-morning I would drive up to the
post office to get the mail out of the box. Always awaiting me,
and anyone else who happened along Center Street by the post
office, was, in my kindest terms, what you might refer to as a
street evangelist.
He was classic. He had the floppy Bible, a wild look in his
eyes, and hair that looked like it might have been combed with a
mix master. It was so stereotypical that it was like walking onto a
movie set, except this was far too real.
Appearance wise the only thing missing was the camel hair
coat, the leather belt, and locust and honey dripping from his
beard, although, had he been dressed as such it might have been
an improvement. There his resemblance to John the Baptist
comes to a screeching halt.
John’s message, as we well know, was pointing to another
who was greater than he. Sure he was preaching repentance and
baptism but it was to prepare ourselves for something even great
than John.
My street evangelist, whom I must admit I never bothered to
engage enough to catch his name was making a far different cry
in the wilderness. He was making a ranting of know it all wisdom
about scripture; a ranting of sin, and debauchery and wickedness
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and the sure consequences of all those things—an eternity in the
deepest depth of hell. And, for good measure he would wave the
Bible in the face of anyone who came close by, which weren’t
many.
I must say that he somewhat offended my Episcopal
presence of propriety in the situation, not to mention my utter
disagreement about the content of scripture he was preaching.
In the words of Isaiah: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me; He has sent me to bring good
news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim
liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners; to proclaim
the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn…to give them a garland instead of
ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of
praise instead of a faint spirit.” Isa 61:1-4
Where in any of these words do we hear threats of eternal
damnation, but rather only words of hope?
There is a huge difference in the message “believe or perish”
and “come and see.” That is what John the Baptist was
proclaiming; hope, faith, and a better day.
We are told that he himself was not the light but came to
testify to the light.
Raise your hand if you consider yourself a follower of Jesus
Christ.
Now raise your hand if you consider yourself to be an
Evangelist.
I see a lot less hands. Because unfortunately my street
prophet in Fernandina, like so many others has given evangelism
a bad rap. This goes far beyond being one of those Episcopalians
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who just wishes the priest would quit asking these ridiculous
questions.
However, if I said how many people in the recent past have
share some good news about Jesus with someone in general
conversation I bet most of you could and would raise your hands.
One of the things that we are asked to do as we move on our
“faith journey” is to find and discern what our prophetic voice is.
Then, once we have found it to be willing, without fear or
hesitation, to share it.
Pope Francis has certainly found his prophetic voice in
meeting with religious communities, that for centuries have been
viewed as being at odds with Christianity, and seeking
understanding, assuring them that as human beings on this same
planet we have more in common than we have differences.
What is your prophetic voice?
Interestingly enough, when priests and Levites were sent to
John with the question of, “who are you”, he was only able to
answer in the negative.
It’s as if the job application said who are you “not”, and John
dutifully answered, “I am not the Messiah”, “No I am not Elijah”,
“No I am not the prophet, nor Moses”. I am only one crying out in
the wilderness.
Perhaps this approach will work for us as we seek our
prophetic voice.
I’ll try it on myself.
“No, I am not the Messiah.”
“No, I am not Elijah”
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“No, I am not THE prophet, or Moses.”
Heck, on most day I wont even be able to do what Jesus
does. So I guess I can get rid of that bracelet.
Perhaps on my best days I can possibly, at least for part of
the day, do what Jesus would want me to do. And, perhaps it will
never be more than pointing toward Him and crying out in the
wilderness.
Sometimes it works better if we come to an understanding of
whom it is that we don’t have to be, or couldn’t be if we even
wanted to be, and then, allowing God to use us as we were
created to be—Ourselves.
By being ourselves we give the kingdom of God such a
glorious array of colorful possibilities. Indeed not even Solomon
in all his spendor could match the beauty of such a body of Christ.
Today is Gaudete Sunday or Rose Sunday. It is a reminder
that in this season of Advent, yes, we are seeking the Christ, yes,
we are seeking salvation, yes we are seeking repentance, yes we
are seeking a deeper relationship with our Christ. But beyond
that Gaudete Sunday is a reminder that it is joy that we seeking,
not trembling and fear, not threats but assurances.
But, this rose candle today reminds us of something even
more important if we are to find our prophetic voice. This rose
candle surrounded by purple is a reminder and a promise that we
all don’t have to be the same, or look the same, or speak the same
to be within the circle of the light of Christ.
As the weeks have gone by even the purple candles begin to
distinguish themselves as unique by their height.
But this imagery goes far beyond that because on Christmas
Eve, when we light that Christ candle in the middle all will be
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equally cast in the brilliance of that special light. No matter what
your stature or your color or whatever distinguishing traits you
bring to this community you are in the circle and the light of the
world shines for each and every one of us. Invite someone in,
there is plenty of room.