Christ is coming.

In our Old Testament lesson Isaiah said, "O that you would tear open the heavens and come down so that the mountains would quake at your presence - to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!"

And in our gospel Jesus said, "The sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.  Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away before all these things have taken place."

Even our epistle from Paul says, "…you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ…" 

These lessons look forward to the end of the world.  During the first century, the new church was sure that Jesus would return during their lifetime - he said he would.  

This message was time-sensitive – the young Christian sect had to get it out - and the message spread like wildfire.  The only problem is that it didn't happen - and then they remembered that he also said, "But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."  

The message that Christ is coming is what Advent is all about: the coming of the Messiah.  Advent is always the four Sundays before Christmas.   Advent looks forward to the coming of Jesus  -  And it acknowledged that the Messiah comes to us in four ways.

1 - He came in the flesh - he was born as a baby in Jerusalem.  A star and the heavenly hosts heralded his coming.  But those who noted it were few: Three wise men, a few shepherds and an old prophet and prophetess.

2 - He came in power - healing the sick, driving out demons and bringing hope to a nation that didn't recognize him.  "Prepare the way" was the call of John the Baptizer.  "Prepare the way of the Lord.  Make straight his paths."

3 - He came in Spirit as the Risen Lord to empower the church to spread the gospel to a world broken and torn by strife.  The fire of the Holy Spirit danced on their heads and the Word of the Lord was made known.  And he still comes in Spirit to guide and direct us.

4 - But most importantly, he will come again - this time in glory - "coming in clouds with great power and glory."  This is what we look forward to on this the first Sunday in Advent.

Advent is a season full of hope and anticipation - Advent is pregnant with expectation.  Advent is a time of preparation - to prepare for the Lord's coming.  We've been preparing for a long time.  The Old Testament prophets predicted his coming and the people waited with hope for the Messiah who was to come.  But when he came so many didn't recognize him, didn't accept him. 

For people in Palestine in the first century - the world was not a friendly place - you could get killed.  The Roman army didn't need a reason - they just took what they needed and did what they wanted.  They totally destroyed the temple and drove the people out.  

This new sect, the one called Christian, was not a favored religion - they were hunted and killed.  And the church grew - it thrived - Nero was the anti-Christ and war and pestilence marked the beginning of the end.  Jesus was going to return - in power and glory.  

But time passed, Christianity became an accepted religion and later the official religion.  And the people grew complacent.  

This is a pattern that has come down through the ages.  World War II was the war to end all wars, Hitler was the anti-Christ and the establishment of the Jewish state in Palestine signaled the beginning of the end. So said Hal Lindsey in his best selling book, The Late Great Planet Earth.  He claimed that Jesus would return in 1988.  Well, maybe Hitler wasn't really the anti-Christ after all.  

So we, as a people, have grown complacent.  When I was growing up, there was the cold war - which occasionally heated up.  People talked about building bomb shelters.  The television and movie theaters were full of information about the Atom Bomb and we were warned to be prepared in case we were attacked.  

There were drills at school so we would know what to do if we were bombed.  The television and the radio were full of tests of the emergency broadcast system - on a daily basis. We lived with the threat of annihilation.  People went to church.  Apocalypse - Second Coming - whatever… annihilation seemed to be a real threat.  

By the time I graduated from high school we had entered the race for space and John Glenn had made his historic trip around the world and we had mostly forgotten the threat of the A-bomb.  In October of 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis - people stayed glued to their TVs praying against war.  Vietnam followed Korea and our young men and women were sent out in droves.  

Lots of people were tired of trying to handle the tension of the constant threat and totally rebelled and so started the peace movement - flower power… make love, not war… for many, drugs were a way to forget the threat… and it was all reflected in the music that became so popular.

Where have all the flowers gone...  Johnny's gone for a soldier…  Blowing in the Wind… Groups like Peter, Paul and Mary sang their hearts out - protesting against the tension - trying to find relief or expression or to just forget.  For some, Jesus was an example they could cling to and proclaim.  Others drifted away from the church, from religion, from home and family, and eventually from life.  

As the millenium approached people once again predicted the end.  There were hundreds of books on the market about the Second Coming, the rapture and prophecy fulfillment.  Harold Camping first predicted might return on September 6, 1994.  When that did not occur he then predicted the rapture on May 21, 2011.  When that didn’t happen, he said no, it was actually October 21.  Well, that came and went, and we’re still waiting.

A later prediction was not by Christians, but by New Age-ers.  It was based on the really old Mayan calendar with ends on December 21, 2012.  A lot of people jumped on that band wagon, but again it did not occur.

And even now we see the kinds of signs that have many wondering if the end is coming soon.  Just in the past few months there have been mass shootings, earthquakes, hurricanes bringing death and destruction - a confrontation with North Korea causes anxiety so that Hawaii is reactivating it’s air raid siren system - an oddly shaped large asteroid from outside this solar system recently passed very close to earth bring questions from various corners.

Notice that our Gospel story for today begins in the future tense - the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give light, the stars will be falling.  This is yet to come - we do not know when.  The lesson then continues in the present tense - learn the lesson of the fig tree, when it puts on leaves, you know that summer is near.  It suggests that the coming of Christ is a certainty that makes a difference in how we live our lives right now.  

Then our story ends with a parable in the imperative.  A man is going on a journey.  He has put his servants in charge, each with his own work and commands them to "Watch!"   This is something that is going to happen and a response is required of us, both as a church and as individuals.  The servants are not singled out in this parable as they have been in some of the other parables.

This is the message for all of us. Together we are to keep watch - each with our own work.  We are to be prepared to meet our Lord whenever he comes - whether it’s tomorrow or a million years from now.  We are to spread the gospel message that Jesus is alive and that he is coming and that he offers us hope of a better world.  He offers us those things that the world cannot give us; fullness in our hearts, peace in our minds, joy in our souls.  He offers us forgiveness for our sins and eternal life.  He offers us stability when our world falls apart around us.  

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian. He was hanged by the Nazis in 1945 for his steadfast loyalty to Christ and his unswerving opposition to Hitler and the Third Reich.  Bonhoeffer disapproved of the new trend he called "cheap grace" - this talking about love without judgment, belief without loyalty, and forgiveness without repentance. 

Bonhoeffer tells us there is a cost for following Jesus.  He demands our loyalty, our sincerity.  We are not only to pay lip service to Jesus, but we are to follow his example.  We must not only talk the talk, but we must also walk the walk.  That's what Jesus calls us to do - let our actions speak for us.

Be aware of the fact that Christ is coming.  Begin to prepare your life for his appearance.  Align your values and attitudes with those of Christ.  Make commitments and seek activities that reflect Christ's love for the world.  Make the worship of God an integral part of your life - not only on Sunday but every day.  To help you reflect on the coming of Christ each day in Advent, I have a book from Living Compass to give each family.  We will pass them out during the announcements.u 

This Advent be aware of Christ coming into your life.  Be involved in and support the work of the church in the world.  When you find yourself falling into habits that do not reflect the love of Christ, turn around and start anew.  Prepare yourself for the Advent of Christ in your life so that when he bursts in on you unexpectedly you may not be found wanting.       Amen.

Are you ready?

When I was a student at Sam Houston University, a friend of mine named Nancy had a date with an Aggie.  Well, Nancy and her date came in early and so we found a fourth and played a game of Hearts.  Contrary to my normal performance at Hearts, I actually won that night.  Several days later, I got the card from A & M from this guy.  It said, "Someday your ship will come in."  You open it up and it continues, "And you'll be at the train station."  

Now most of you know that my name is Nan.   It's not Nancy, it's not Nanette, or any of the other possible variations.  Now, the problem was, this card was addressed to "Nancy Lewis."  So we never figured out if it was intended for me or for Nancy, but we both decided that he was the one who missed the boat.  He just didn’t pay attention – not unlike the five foolish bridesmaids in our gospel lesson today.  They just didn’t pay attention either.

You know, today’s gospel lesson could be compared to when a hurricane comes through.  Let’s say there were ten guys who bought new generators, but when the hurricane came along half of them realized too late that they forgot to buy extra gasoline to run them.”  So by the time they finally figure out that they need more gas than what’s left from when they tried it out, and they go to the station, the power’s already out and the pumps don’t work, and regardless of how sorry they are, or how much they are willing to pay, they can’t get the gasoline. 

Our five foolish maids came with that same mindset where they believed that all they needed was the lamp because this occasion would be just like all the other weddings they had been a part of.  It just never even crossed their mind that this time it might be different.  But it was different and they didn’t adapt to the change – they were unprepared for change.  And even when they began to get an inkling that this time might be different, they did nothing.  They could see that the others had brought extra oil – and now, with the groom’s delay, they had time to go get oil, but they still didn’t use this time for that purpose.  They waited until the end when the reality of the situation was unavoidable and then it was too late.

These were young women from the groom’s household who wait at some distance from the house to escort the groom and his new bride back to the house when he comes from collecting her from her father’s house – and according to one source, they not only light the way, but they also perform a welcome dance to honor the new bride who will be living among them.  

While these maids wait for the groom they grow drowsy and fall asleep.  Someone likened the five foolish maids to everyone’s worst nightmare…  Well, maybe not nightmare – but that common dream so many of us have – each our own versions – about not being prepared at the appropriate time.  My particular dream usually has to do with going to class to take a test – in my dream, not only have I not studied for the test, but I’ve never even attended the class and I’m not sure where it is.

These young ladies have participated in other weddings and they don’t expected this to be any different.  Like the foolish maids, we, too, may be resistant to change.  We often expect everything to stay the same – like there’s some kind of status quo that’s never going to change.  We do this in our personal life, in our professional life and even in our church life.  Maybe we have a good thing going, and we expect it to stay the same.  Then it doesn’t and like the five foolish maids, by the time we recognize that there is a problem, it’s too late to reverse the situation.  It’s like a wife (or husband) who doesn’t realize there’s a problem with their marriage until their spouse asks for a divorce.  Or like parents who overlook the signs of alcohol or drug abuse by their child until they are called by the police.  There could be any number of scenarios that we could imagine or name.  

Churches can be just as blasé about what is going on in their parish.  They can be just as resistant to change as individuals.  They like to see new people come in – but that causes discomfort if the new people are different.  One of the churches in our diocese decided that they needed some way to incorporate new people into their church family.  And sometimes it’s just too long to wait for the bishop to come, so they’ve come up with a service of “inclusion” – they call it the “Liturgy of Belonging.”  We have actually used this here in the past.  There is a little service after The Peace when a family has expressed a desire to become a part of the parish family.  Patterned somewhat after the Baptism service near the end, the priest turns to the congregation and asks:  

Will you welcome (name/s) into this family, embrace their gifts, their needs, and their dreams?  Will you recognize that their presence and participation will change the shape of the body and help it grow in new ways?  Will you support them in their journeys, and assist them in their ministries?

And the answer is:   Yes! Yes! Yes!

This is very intentional in the realization that when new people are added to a congregation, there will be change.  And it is very intentional in recognizing the need for new blood in the church and the change that will occur and the intention to accept that change.  I guess that you could consider it to be something like a marriage ceremony.

Like the maids in our story, maybe we’re waiting for something to happen in our lives.  The five wise maids anticipate a future that involves them and they want to be prepared.  We may be anticipating a change in our lives also.  We may be waiting for the birth of a child, or for a phone call that offers us a job…  maybe for our child to graduate from high school and leave for college...   news from the doctor’s office…  that special person to pledge to share our life with…  All these circumstances are going to create change in our lives.  We have to be prepared to face that change regardless of what it brings.  If we are not willing to grow and change, then we will stagnate and die.  

It reminds me of one of my favorite sayings: “all you have to do is suit up and show up and the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.”  Well, maybe sometimes that doesn’t quite get it.  You have to be accepting of whatever is going on, and willing to fulfill your part, whatever that might be.  But it’s about being prepared and ready to do your part.    

Notice that this is a wedding feast – not a funeral.  It is a joyous occasion – an occasion for celebration.  And also notice that the participants are not alone – even in the waiting.  When things go slow, when nothing appears to be happening – when you wait for the future to reveal itself to you – you are not alone.  There is always someone there with you – with similar questions or doubts or struggles – but ready to sit with you and share what is happening.  It is not unlike what is happening here at Grace.  We know that a new rector is long in coming, but knowing that the vestry is now receiving names and preparing to go out, even this month to visit and interview, we have to be prepared.  We also know that a new rector is going to change the dynamic of Grace, and we each have to be prepared for that change. 

This whole story is considered to be somewhat allegorical.  Scholars are very careful to point out that we are not to consider it a complete allegory.  The difference between the two groups of bridesmaids is said to be their faith preparation.  It takes faith to wait – faith to sustain us during the long night watches.  It takes faith and courage to change when that is needed.  It takes knowing and believing that when the Lord calls us to wait or to make changes in our life, that he will give us the strength and the tools to accomplish what needs to be done, or to survive the changes that are made.  We prepare our lives, our hearts and our minds so that when the Lord comes, we may go in with him, rejoicing and may feast at the table that he has set for us.  Are you ready for the changes that are coming?

Living in-between time

Listen to the sermon.     

Have you ever watched a little child with a helium-filled balloon?  Kids are fascinated by helium balloons.  They love to hold on to them and look up.  The safest thing, of course, is to tie the string around their wrist so that they don’t loose it.  If you go to large indoor events where balloons are sold, you will always see balloons that have escaped up among the rafters – or outdoors, you will sometimes see them drifting off in the breeze.  And I know you‘ve seen kids crying because their balloon got away – as they stand there looking up watching it go up and up and away.  

Sam tells the story about his brothers, Ted and Harry, who had built a perfectly balanced glider.  It was their pride and joy.  It was quite large and they loved to take it out in the pastures around their house and sail it on rather calm days when it could catch the air currents and stay up for a long time.  One day it caught several good updrafts and literally sailed away.  They watched it go, thrilled at the beauty of it, but even though they chased it, they never did find it.

Three days ago (Thursday) was the feast day of the Ascension.  Our first lesson has the disciples watching Jesus rise up into the heavens.  Imagine how they felt on that day as they watched him go.  It was probably one of the most magnificent sights they had ever seen, but at the same time it both confused them and scared them.  During that 10 days between the ascension and pentecost, they were living in the in-between times:  in between the ascension of Jesus and the coming down of the Holy Spirit, in between heaven and earth, in between the present and the coming kingdom, in between the local (what was happening then and there) and the global (the commission to go out and preach the word.)

After all this time they had been with Jesus, they heard him preach, they saw the miracles, they witnessed his death

 and his resurrection, and he made all these appearances to them and now they are on the hillside.  And the first 

question the disciples ask him is, “Lord, is now the time you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”  They are still 

expecting a military victory – an overthrowing of the current Roman government.  They still didn't get it. 

He tells them, “You don’t need to know the times,” because the kingdom that Jesus talked about had nothing to do with the political structures of our earthly governments.  The kingdom that Jesus talked about had to do with our interior state of being – our attitudes toward one another – and our love and caring, not only for  God, but for one another.

Jesus tells them here that they “will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them and that they will be witnesses to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  This could be an overwhelming job – so they went back to the upper room where they were staying.  And for 10 days, they devoted themselves to praying together.  And I’m sure – trying to figure out what it was that Jesus had been trying to tell them.

They didn’t have a clue what it meant to have the Holy Spirit – the nearest concept they could entertain was probably the stories of the prophets of old who were filled with the Spirit of God.  But it hadn’t happened yet, and they couldn’t quite imagine themselves as the prophets of old.  They were living in-between.  They were planted firmly on the ground, living in the present time, day by day, in Jerusalem waiting for what would happen next.

In our second lesson, Peter tells us to humble ourselves before God – to cast all our cares upon him – and to discipline ourselves, keeping alert at all times.  And he tells us that Christ will restore, support and strengthen us.  Peter learned this during that in-between time in Jerusalem and with the coming of the Holy Spirit.  I’m sure it was hard not to become discouraged – waiting.  

I don't wait well - I find it hard to just sit and do nothing.  Different people wait in different ways, and some people wait in different way at different times in their lives.  

My idea of waiting is to stay busy, find something to do.  At one time in my life that meant coming down here to this church and spend hours praying and reading scripture.  At another time it meant spending hours singing and playing spiritual songs.   Especially Change my heart, O God...    ----    At another time, it meant spending hours in the hospital visiting and working with people there.  At another time it meant sitting still praying with beads or contemplating scripture or centering prayer.  

We live in the in-between – we are in the world – right here in this time and place - and while we are here, we are to be present to those around us and live in the moment for Christ. Grace Church is in an in-between time, between Father David and whoever will be called as your new rector.  

This is your time to strengthen your ministry - to build up your church - to come together to find what God is calling you to be and do - both individually and as a church.  God doesn't want you to just sit on your hands doing nothing -

he wants you to be active, remembering that the person preaching to you isn't the be-all and end-all.  

The future of this church does not depend me or whoever comes next.  The future of this church depends on you!  

Our gospel lesson is Jesus’ prayer for us.  He doesn’t pray for world harmony – he prays for the disciples – for us – for unity – that we are able to work together to live and bring about his kingdom on this earth.  

How can you make this place a little better for someone else?  How can you reach out to someone in need or pain?  Some of you do this on a daily basis – praying for each other or helping each other out working and planning for ministry.

In his prayer, Jesus begins, “The hour has come…”  Now is the time – to pray for others - to reach out to help others – to live into God’s purpose in your life.  Not later, but now.  I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get so overwhelmed by the things that I have to do – the sheer volume – that I become less than productive, less than effective.  

Learning to live in the moment, what is happening this very minute – and not worry about what I have to do in the next hour, or tomorrow, or the next day – is one way I can begin to live into what Jesus wants me to be.  And I invite you to contemplate what it is that Jesus is calling you to be and do.

Let us pray,

Most precious Father, send your Holy Spirit onto us, into us, 

that we may live into your plan for our lives and for our church.  

Help us to live in the tension of this world, 

keeping the promise of your kingdom 

always on the horizon of our consciousness.  

Help us to see those around us here in this world, 

And to see your heavenly purpose in their lives also.

This we ask in the name of your son, Jesus, 

as we await the coming power of His Holy Spirit.  Amen.