Sermon for December 7, 2008

                               Christopher Fazel

       Scripture:     Isaiah 40:1-11             2 Peter 3:8-15         Mark 1:1-8

Our scripture readings for this second Sunday of Advent declare the Jewish and Christian (and, by the way, Muslim) belief in a God who cares about what goes on in this world.  The opening verses of the Gospel of Mark includes in it a quote from the prophet Isaiah which we also read today.  And the 2 letter of Peter also describes a God who is aware of the thoughts and actions of humankind and who responds to the human condition.  Now, that view of a good and caring and responsive God is a fundamental belief for the Jew and the Christian.  And much of the Bible is a record of the struggle of human beings to make sense of human misery in light of a belief in a good and caring and powerful God.   There's a word for this struggle.  The word is "Theodicy."  It's made from two Greek words, "Theo" meaning God, and "Dike" meaning justice.  If God is just, then how are we to explain the existence of injustice in the world?

Now, this isn't simply idle philosophy.  It hits us where we live.  Day by day we share in the death of loved ones, catastrophic illness and the rising specter of insane violence.  The question why is on the lips of every one of us.  And at this season of Christmas -- the time of joy -- this question becomes particularly severe.  We want to make it possible that everyone can share in the joy of the Christmas season, and it's very distressing when we encounter situations that we cannot remedy.  But the fact is that in this life, we all get our turn at grief and pain that defies remedy.  We find ourselves in situations of suffering over which we seem to have no power to fix.  All we can do is endure it. 

Now, I think it's a credit to our faith that our scripture admits this fact over and over again.  Throughout the Old and New Testament, the Bible compares the human condition to that of grass.  On the one hand, we are as prolific as grass.  We grow and multiply and cover the earth.  But on the other hand, we are as vulnerable as grass.  A little wrong weather and our power is gone.  We spring up in a season, and before you know it, we disappear.  And so Isaiah tells us today, "...surely the people are grass, the grass withers, the flower fades..." 

Now, where's the good news for any of us in all of that?  Well, it comes in the next line.  "but the word of our God will stand forever."  And what is that word?  Isaiah delivers it, "The Lord comes with might...He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms and carry them in his bosom."  Isaiah announces the good news: Yes, we are like grass.  We are vulnerable, often times powerless, and one day we shall be gone.  And we're fooling ourselves if we think we can change it.  But!  That's not the whole story.  The last word is not pain, the last word is not despair, the last word is not death.  The last word is God's reward.  The last word is God's recompense.  The last word is the tender, loving, bosom of God. 

In those times when we are caught in situations where all our power to control has withered away, we must hang on to this divine word of promise.   And it's not just a promise of pearly gates hereafter -- though it is that.  But it is more.  It is a promise, that even in the midst of grief, help comes as from on high if we will but wait and watch.

Now, of course, God's word of promise never comes without an assignment.  And all of our scripture readings today carry to us both the promise and the assignment.  2 Peter says, "In accordance with God's promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.  Therefore, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish."  In other words, if we seek the home of righteousness, then let righteousness find a home in us.  In Mark, John the Baptist proclaims the words of Isaiah, "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God."  In other words, the Word of God, the healing of God, the comfort of God does not come to us uninvited.  We must prepare a way.

Now, the highway that we must prepare for the arrival of God's healing power is built by faith and compassion.  In faith, we invite the spirit of God into us, empowering us not to fix everything, but to endure in hope and courage.  And in compassion, we become channels of God's love to those around us.  "Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God." 

Now, I have seen this church at work, and I have known for myself the power of the love and compassion and ministering of this congregation.  You are, you have always been, and you always will be an inspiration and a profound joy for me.  For you have heard and you have answered in a million ways the call, "Prepare ye a Highway for the Lord."

In this Christmas season, let us continue to trust in the promise of God.  Let us continue to open in our hearts a highway, so that the Word of God may ring in and through us, "Comfort, O comfort my people.  The Lord comes with might.  The Lord gathers us as lambs in loving arms.  The Lord carries us close to God's heart."  Let us pray.

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