Sermon Transcript: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 18, 2011 The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
From this morning’s gospel, "'Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be…?’” I speak to you in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
If I asked you a question this morning, “Do you believe that God is still active in this world?” I wonder how you might respond. Theologian Walter Bruegemann expressed fear at a recent Conference saying, “Few of us imagine God to be an active character in the story of our lives.” I think his comment is true for many in the Church and throughout the world. It’s not that people don’t believe in God or think of God as supportive and encouraging, but rather, in the hubbub and frustration of everyday life, some may think that God has, somehow, become passive and moved into the background watching and waiting. Like the words from that song from a few years ago, some believe, “God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us … from a distance.”
The Blessed Virgin Mary may have felt the same way before Gabriel appeared to her as Luke tells us in today’s gospel reading. Luke tells us that Mary was perplexed at Gabriel’s greeting. After all, it had been over five hundred years since the people of Israel had seen any miraculous interventions of God like those witnessed by their ancestors. Oh sure, the people continued to practice their faith saying their daily prayers, attending Temple on the Sabbath day. They and their children, and their children’s children had learned the great stories of their past. They could read the Torah scrolls and they knew the words of the Prophets by heart. But everything was either about past glory days or a promise for the future. Most people in Israel, like many people today, never thought that God might actually do something in their own lifetime.
So, when Luke tells us that Mary responded to Gabriel saying, “How can this be?” I think we understand. In fact, if I began this sermon saying to you, “Greetings favored ones! The Lord is with you and intends to do something new and exciting through you here in West Memphis.”You might respond like Mary saying, “How can this be? We are just ordinary people.” But, my friends, that is exactly what Gabriel and God is telling us in this story of the Annunciation to Mary. God is very much active in this world through the lives of God’s people. God still interrupts our daily routines and calls us just as we are to embrace new and exciting mission and ministry in this world.
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
From this morning’s gospel, "'Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be…?’” I speak to you in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
If I asked you a question this morning, “Do you believe that God is still active in this world?” I wonder how you might respond. Theologian Walter Bruegemann expressed fear at a recent Conference saying, “Few of us imagine God to be an active character in the story of our lives.” I think his comment is true for many in the Church and throughout the world. It’s not that people don’t believe in God or think of God as supportive and encouraging, but rather, in the hubbub and frustration of everyday life, some may think that God has, somehow, become passive and moved into the background watching and waiting. Like the words from that song from a few years ago, some believe, “God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us … from a distance.”
The Blessed Virgin Mary may have felt the same way before Gabriel appeared to her as Luke tells us in today’s gospel reading. Luke tells us that Mary was perplexed at Gabriel’s greeting. After all, it had been over five hundred years since the people of Israel had seen any miraculous interventions of God like those witnessed by their ancestors. Oh sure, the people continued to practice their faith saying their daily prayers, attending Temple on the Sabbath day. They and their children, and their children’s children had learned the great stories of their past. They could read the Torah scrolls and they knew the words of the Prophets by heart. But everything was either about past glory days or a promise for the future. Most people in Israel, like many people today, never thought that God might actually do something in their own lifetime.
So, when Luke tells us that Mary responded to Gabriel saying, “How can this be?” I think we understand. In fact, if I began this sermon saying to you, “Greetings favored ones! The Lord is with you and intends to do something new and exciting through you here in West Memphis.”You might respond like Mary saying, “How can this be? We are just ordinary people.” But, my friends, that is exactly what Gabriel and God is telling us in this story of the Annunciation to Mary. God is very much active in this world through the lives of God’s people. God still interrupts our daily routines and calls us just as we are to embrace new and exciting mission and ministry in this world.
RSS Feed