A Word about the word "Logos"

 First Sunday after Christmas

A Word About the Word “Logos”

That’s a bit of an inside joke for the clergy of the church and those trained in the language of the New Testament. The Greek word “Logos” means “The Word”. So then the title of this sermon is “A Word about the Word “The Word”

That brings me to the test question of the day. If I were to ask you which is the “Word of God”? The Bible or Jesus? What would you say?

We read the Prologue to John’s Gospel today and John names Jesus as “The Logos”; “The Word made flesh”. He proclaims this thought; “In the beginning was the Logos (or Word) and the Logos was with God and the Logos was God.” John reveals to us that Jesus was there in the Beginning with God and that all things came into being through him.

This claim is singular among all the great religions of the world. No other faith claims that God is fully human except our faith. If you forget that claim, the Nicene Creed is a weekly reminder. This is no mere theological or intellectual statement. This is an experience. 

“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” “The Logos” somehow became flesh and blood.

The Logos humbled himself and became as we are. He is poor. His mother is in some sense “unwed”. His family flees as refugees to Egypt because of a Despot’s rage and tragically the Holy Innocents die. There was so much darkness, so much paranoia and the Logos was the light in that Darkness.

Because of his “staying power” the Risen Jesus is with us yet.  There is no darkness that can extinguish the Light. The Pandemic can discourage us, political gridlock can frustrate us, personal reverses can frightens us. But the Light shines in the darkness nonetheless.

The Logos is not a book. The Logos is Jesus. 

Can you imagine such a thing as this? The Logos, that which was with God before existence itself came into being would adopt the likes of you and me as his children? This is so because such is the Love of God. And Love came down at Christmas.

The Gospel concludes with these words; “No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.” 

You cannot see love but you know when it is there. Neither can you see forgiveness, reconciliation or compassion but when it happens it is unmistakable and real. 

So is God. So is the Logos; the Word made flesh. You can’t see God. Neither can you see Jesus. But you know when they’re here. Right here in our midst right now. 

And now you are the Light of the World.

Amen.

Fr Paul

Below are the readings for the First Sunday After Christmas. Those portions highlighted indicate thoughts that resonate within my soul.

The Collect:

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Isaiah 61:10-62:3

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Psalm: 147:13-21
13 Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem; *
       praise your God, O Zion;
14 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
       he has blessed your children within you.
15 He has established peace on your borders; *
       he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
16 He sends out his command to the earth, *
       and his word runs very swiftly.
17 He gives snow like wool; *
       he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
18 He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
       who can stand against his cold?
19 He sends forth his word and melts them; *
       he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
20 He declares his word to Jacob, *
       his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
21 He has not done so to any other nation; *
       to them he has not revealed his judgments.
       Hallelujah!

Epistle: Galatians 3:23-25;4:4-7

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

Gospel: John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

An Honest, Simple, Joyful Christmas

 Christmas Eve

An Honest, Simple, Joyful Christmas

Please be seated.

And let us listen once again to the story of Christmas.

The Honest, Simple and Joyful Story of Christmas. 

I like to read the story from my Grandmother’s Bible. 

As you know I caught my faith from her, because she loved to tell The Story, all the stories.

Christmas is honest. 

It happened at a particular time, as we read;

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) In history there is always an Emperor and a Governor doing what Emperors and Governors do. And there’s nothing more honest or real than death and taxes.

It happened in a particular place; “And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; 

The story also makes clear that it happened in a specific family of a very important Genealogical line…to quote; “(Joseph went to Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David:)”

And then there was a problematic birth.

Mary was “great with child” to tell you the truth. How that came to be is something of a mystery, but it involved a conversation with the Angel Gabriel and an “overshadowing” of the Holy Spirit.

Truthfully, Joseph had some doubts as we’re told in Matthew, and “being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, he resolved to divorce her quietly.” That’s a direct quote. Matthew 1:19. But the story continues; “behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20.

Apparently Joseph believed what the angel told him in that dream and believed Mary and the Holy Family remained together then and forevermore, thanks be to God. And the Story goes on; “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”

All of it has the ring of truth to it, honest to God.

Christmas is simple.

We read these words; “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” 

The Holy Family were poor and had to settle for what there was. On a cold dark night in December what they settled for was a dwelling place with the animals. What could be more honest or simple than a few barnyard animals to be born with? She wrapped him up and placed in a feeding trough. 

The animals must have found that odd. But they may have also understood as only animals can, namely that what they saw that night was a moment in Salvation History.  Only they could truly perceive what was in the Eternal Now of this Incarnation, and they breathed on the Holy Child what warmth they could provide and from that Spirit that was within them. I have always loved this beautiful simplicity; the animals and their companionship with the Holy Child asleep in the hay.  In my mind’s eye, I have a tableau of heavenly peace. It is a tableau that exults in my spirit and dares to dream the Dream of God!

Christmas is that simple. 

Christmas is Joy!

The story continues; “In the same country there were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” Ah yes, to tell the honest truth such a moment as this would no doubt make me “sore afraid”. 

Then “the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

The cadences of these magnificent words resonate deeply within my soul.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Keep your eyes fixed on the Manger. Behold Mary and her Child, the animals sleeping, the shepherds rejoicing, and the Glory of God shining round about them, and the Angels singing Glory to God in the Highest.

The Joy of Christmas proclaims that as we allow God to become flesh and blood in us, peace on earth and goodwill to all is a real possibility.

A few verses on we return to the Honesty, Simplicity and Joy found in Mary’s heart as this Gospel story concludes; “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

This is Christmas. Tonight is Christmas. In a few moments we come to the Holy Table and honestly, simply and joyfully receive the Holy Child within us.

Merry Christmas, my friends.

Fr Paul

Below are the readings for Christmas. For many years it has been a tradition for me to read the Christmas Gospel from my grandmother’s King James Bible.

Collect

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Luke 2:1-14 King James Version

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Tornado Warning!

Tornado Alert!

We begin our worship this morning with our prayers for our friends in Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee. Lives have been lost, homes destroyed and this holy season has been changed forever for thousands. Our prayer life includes generosity, so I encourage you to give to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund or other such relief organization.

Cindy and I have been in the midst of Tornados. One such time we were at Dallas International flying home from a swing out west to visit Michael, our #3 son. Our cell phones are equipped by default with a notification system when severe weather is close. As we stood at the gate waiting for our plane to take us home, hundreds of cellphones went off around us including our own sounding like a cacophony of smoke alarms. Tornado warning! 

It was most disconcerting.

We were herded off to another gate and hustled onto another plane, and still there were flashes of lightning, and a dark foreboding cloud cover. I checked the radar on my cell phone. It did not look like good flying weather. Then, wild west style, our pilot announced that we were taking off and that we were likely to run into a bit of turbulence. “Buckle up” says he! We headed around the worst of it over the Gulf of Mexico and then onto Boston. It was a wild ride.

I found myself sensing the nearness of God, and praying most devoutly for safety. And here I am still, to talk about it.

Interestingly, in today’s Gospel we flock to John the Baptist, because we sense our nearness to God and our vulnerability. Then he snaps at us “you brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” 

To press his point, he says; “Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”

The Baptizer’s answer is fascinating, and actually quite reassuring;  “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Tax collectors asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

What John prescribes is only reasonable. He requires of us a life befitting repentance and what he asks for sounds much like common decency. Be generous, share what you have with others and especially with those in need. Be honest, tell the truth, be done with fraud and extortion. Most if not all of us live that way anyway. We always have and we always will. 

Mind you, in those days there were some who were greedy. They looked away from the poor and the needy. There were those who wouldn’t know the truth if they fell over it. And as to fraud and extortion it would appear that, in those days there were those who took that to an art form. 

To tell the truth, there is some of all that going on right here in River City. 

What then of Repentance? You may rejoice in it! Neither John nor Jesus are asking any more of you that a life built on honesty, integrity, generosity and faith.

The people were thrilled with this good news and thought that perhaps John was the Messiah. But John set them straight; “I baptize you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Then John added this warning; “His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

The early church taught in its very first teachings in a booklet we now know as Didache (Greek; “the Teachings”); “There are only two ways; the way that leads to life and the way that leads to death.” John suggests to us a generous, honest, and faithful life as the way to the nearness of God. Greed, lies, fraud and extortion will only distance ourselves from the Holy One. 

Today’s Collect calls on God to “stir up his power” among us. John’s words are meant to stir us up. My priest loved calling this day in the Church Year “stir up Sunday”.  The Gospel often calls on us to “stir things up”. 

It is in this same spirit that the prophet Zephaniah calls out to us; “Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, the Lord, is in your midst; Do not fear; do not let your hands grow weak. Your God, is in your midst, he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; The Holy One will deal with all your oppressors at that time and will save the lame and gather the outcast, and God will change their shame into praise in all the earth.”

This is the Sunday of Joy in Advent. When you light this Rose candle you announce the nearness of God and your Joy as God approaches. That tender, little Baby in a manger surrounded by the animals whose breath takes the chill out of the evening air sleeps in Heavenly Peace. What a lovely tableau. 

But one moment, please. Be on your alert. There is a Tornado warning and many of our friends are suffering from terrible devastation. And I needn’t remind you or must I? It is no time to let your guard down about the Pandemic. 

Ours is the world John came to and Jesus was born in. There was a great deal of sin in those days. There is ample still but you and I are called to live lives worthy of the Church which is the Body of Christ. 

And so we pray with church in Philippi these words from today’s second reading;

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In the Name of God; the Most Holy, Undivided, and Everlasting Trinity. Amen

Fr Paul

(Below are the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent and my highlights upon which I have based today’ sermon.)

The Collect:

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Zephaniah 3:14-20

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.

Canticle 9 — The First Song of Isaiah (Isaiah 12:2-6)

Surely, it is God who saves me; *
     I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, *
    and he will be my Savior.
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing *
    from the springs of salvation.
And on that day you shall say, *
    Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;
Make his deeds known among the peoples; *
    see that they remember that his Name is exalted.
Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, *
    and this is known in all the world.
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, *
    for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.

Epistle: Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Gospel: Luke 3:7-18

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

"Wash Your Hands, Buddy!"

 Advent II

“Wash Your Hands, Buddy”

If I heard that once I heard it a thousand times. When I was a boy, my grandmother insisted that we take our shoes and boots off in the mud room before we even came into the house. I can remember standing on a milk crate so that I could wash my hands with a scrub brush, soap and water and “scrub to the bone” as she put it, all the while her eyes twinkling with a severe kind of love that tickled me. 

She was in earnest, I must add. She had survived the Influenza Epidemic, a scourge that hit densely populated areas of Somerville and Boston especially hard. She had a healthy respect for cleanliness, which she regarded as next to Godliness. “God knows what kind of germs you’re bringing into this house after your’ve been out there playing in the dirt with all your friends!” And in our neighborhood we had a bountiful supply of friends. 

Then there was that time I got sick and Dr Hodos came to the house. They were afraid I might have polio but my leg moved when he struck my knee with a reflex hammer. The pronouncement followed, its just the flu. When Jonas Salk came up with the polio vaccine, I remember lining up in school with all the others to receive my shot. 

It was a different world then. We seemed to be more of one mind. We respected those in authority. The social fabric we lived in was more interwoven with mutual regard and respect, beginning with Dwight D. Eisenhower all the way down. 

So long as you were of European origin, sad to say. In Somerville there were the Irish Catholics, the Italian, the French and the Portuguese and of course there were some Protestants each with their own churches.

But at that time, little did we know, recognize or understand of our nation’s history with racism. We knew of all the Native American place names where we lived and even what they meant, but as to the people who were systemically eradicated by our ancestors, we had very little knowledge. I must confess that it is not until recent years, especially during our time with COVID that I’ve had time to read up on our history. At long last many of us have just begun to scratch the surface of that side of our history.

The Scripture says that God will send his messengers the prophets ahead to prepare the way of the Lord. For he is like a refiner’s fire and a fuller’s soap “and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver”.

Our history is soiled with the stain of many sins. But history is not intended to be a witness against us as a source of guilt. Rather as we embrace our history God seeks to purify us and to make PEACE within our souls. God seeks a way for us to be reconciled with one another. When you lit this second candle today on our Advent wreath you proclaimed God’s PEACE within your spirits. And God will purify us.

Last week we lit the candle of HOPE, this week the candle of PEACE, and next week the candle of JOY. 

Like my grandmother, the messengers of God, the prophets and John the Baptist can be rather severe in their warnings to repent, but this kind of repentance is of the sort that makes our whole lives possible. The purpose of all our elders’ admonitions is to bring us life and to bring us life in all of its abundance. The dangers of physical disease or the diseases of the human heart and soul are real. They can impair, stain or even destroy us. 

But from generation to generation we learn and learn again the ancient lessons even though we do not always want to heed their warnings at the time. But it is the intention of the Gospel that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

One of my favorite oratorios is from Handel’s Advent Portion of the Messiah. By the way that was our very first date. I took Cindy to Symphony Hall on December the 8th in 1978 for a performance of Handel and Haydn Society’s Messiah. We heard these magnificent words sung as they have been sung for hundreds of years and read as they have been read for thousands of years before. 

“Comfort ye

Comfort ye my people

Saith your God

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem

And cry unto her

That her warfare is accomplished

That her iniquity is pardoned

The voice of Him

That crieth in the wilderness

Prepare ye the way of the Lord

Make straight in the desert

A highway for our God.”

That highway is paved within us, among us, and heavenward to God. The messengers of God have said so.

And continuing from the Prophet Isaiah quoted in today’s Gospel the theme continues; 

“Every valley shall be exalted, 

and every mountain and hill shall be made low, 

and the crooked shall be made straight, 

and the rough ways made smooth; 

and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’

Please note the great joy embedded within these words. I did not particularly enjoy scrubbing my hands to the bone with the bristles of a brush and Ivory Soap, nor do we like wearing a mask, social distancing and curtailing our exposure to indoor gatherings.

But I can still see my grandmother’s eyes twinkling with delight from heaven because she knows her grandson is still witnessing to the Gospel long after his first 8 attempts at retirement.

What Joy there is in heaven and on earth as we seek to fulfill the Gospel words from today’s Epistle. “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.”

So then Ma, I’ll wash my hands, I’ll wear my mask, I’ll avoid large indoor gatherings, I’ll get my shots and my booster, and we’ll laugh our way on towards Heaven’s Gate with the PEACE of God woven into all our hearts. 

In the Name of God, the Most Holy, Undivided, and Everlasting Trinity.  Amen. 

Fr Paul

(Today’s sermon is based on the Scriptures below. I have highlighted those portions that speak to my heart and resonate within my spirit.)

Collect

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Malachi 3:1-4

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

Epistle: Philippians 1:3-11

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.

It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Gospel: Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

Advent Hope

 The First Sunday of Advent

Advent Hope

“By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea 

You and I, you and I, oh how happy we’ll be!”

And so it is for the most part. About 10 years ago Cindy and I bought a two family home very close to the seashore in Lynn and it is a beautiful place to live. When we closed on the purchase, I remember saying; “You know, we really don’t need to go anywhere because now we’re already there!”

During the temperate months I enjoy sitting out on my large verandah and watching the tides come and go, and the folks with their beach gear traipsing by for another idyllic day at the beach. At least until the storms gather and the King Tides rise and flooding takes out the low lying parts of nearby Swampscott. You can see how that place gets its name!

That plus those hot and humid days when the bacteria count rises and the health department must close the beach. Sea levels are rising and pollution fouls our oceans. That’s a fact. Then to further disquiet this idyllic life there are wars and conflicts which we learn about in the daily news.

Thus the words of Jesus come to life when he says; “Be alert; there will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.” Such foreboding words in today’s Gospel!

We care very much for God’s creation and thankfully our newly elected local officials are bearing down on mitigating the effects of bacterial pollution and the newly repaired seawall in Swampscott will at least buy us some time. There is some hope on the local level. But there is much more work to be done. 

We care about God’s Creation and one another. Without regard to race, ethnicity, class, gender, orientation, language or where we come from. At least that’s the Gospel plan. That’s how Jesus loves us; without regard to any human categories we use to pigeon hole one another. 

I’ve told you before that my own grandmother, God rest her soul, often said that it was the Irish who ruined Boston. That will tell you what she thought of my dad after that nasty divorce. She also made me swear on the family bible that I would never marry an Italian. I swore. I also married an Italian. Cindy Saltalamacchia, my grandmother and I have a good chuckle over that one now; she from her heavenly throne and we from our perch after 42 years of marriage. 

There is much to do for us to become what our Presiding Bishop calls “The Beloved Community”. As God loves us so we are called to love one another. Whether we are from Ireland, Italy, The United Kingdom, Europe, The Dominican Republic, Columbia or any other place on the planet, or whatever language we speak, we are God’s Beloved Community. 

This is where the Advent Collect point us. This sacred season teaches us “to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility”. You know the works of darkness. Those that bring anger, alienation, and violence between us. 

But when we “put on the armor of light” we embrace the Way of Jesus. We love one another. We love those who are difficult to love. We even love our enemies. We become part of what our Presiding Bishop also calls “The Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement.”

Did you notice what the Prophet said in today’s first lesson? “I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land” That Righteous Branch begins with King David’s father, Jesse. It continues down through the years to that little town of Bethlehem the night Jesus was born. 

This Righteous Branch brings Justice and Righteousness into a dark world. Love breaks through the stone cold human heart to bring forgiveness and reconciliation. Even when he meets his end on a cross, Jesus forgives those who cause his death because…

Jesus is the Love of God made flesh and blood.

It is he who gives us grace to cast off the works of darkness now in the time of this mortal life and to put on the armor of light!

How I love the Psalms of David from which this Righteous Branch springs. Today we sing these stirring words of faith that Jesus, as an observant Jew recited so many times during the days of his earthly life; 

“I lift up my soul to God, I put my trust in you;

Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.

He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.

All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness”

At the beginning of this service you lit the first candle of the Advent wreath; the candle of Hope. It is Advent Hope we bring into the darkness as we light this eternal Advent Wreath a never ending Hope. It is a Hope of love and faithfulness that never ends. 

Think for a moment with me of how we Hope at Trinity Church. We search for ways to serve God in this neighborhood. Through the work and generosity of many generations, God has given us this sacred space from which to deploy our many ministries to our membership and to those beyond. 

Into this portion of the Beloved Community we welcome daily the Marigold School, The Academy of Creative Arts at Trinity or as we call “ACAT” for short, and Dinah’s House. It is sad to see the end of Joyful Ladle’s work. But we press on doing what we can. And now your vestry seeks to continue this work and in a more a sustainable way long into the future. This is our Hope. 

God seeks ways in which we can reach profoundly into the lives of people. From the beginning of the Jesus movement the Church in its better days organized its life around the needs of the people. When the church does this, God prospers the work of the Church. Because the church is intended by Jesus to be his body in and for the sake of the world. As Teresa of Avila is so often quoted as saying;

“Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes with which Christ looks out his compassion to the world. Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which he is to bless us now.”

And now Cindy and I live out our days by the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea. And all of us praise God and serve one another as long as Hope endures.

In the Name of God, the Most Holy, Undivided and Everlasting Trinity. Amen

Fr Paul

Below are the readings on which today’s sermon is based and my highlights of those lines that speak to my heart. 

The Collect

 Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Jeremiah 33:14-16

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The Lord is our righteousness.”

Psalm 25:1-9

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.

3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.

4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.

5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.

6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.

7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.

8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.

9 All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Luke 21:25-36

Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."