3 Advent 2015 (Year
C)
Today, the Third Sunday of Advent,
is the Sunday traditionally known as “Rose Sunday” or “Gaudete Sunday.” You
see, as it turns out, Advent is one of the times in the Church year that is
observed as a time of penitence. So, while blue is an accepted liturgical color
for Advent, purple is likewise used just as we do in Lent.
Anyway, during both the season of
Lent and Advent, there is an optional Sunday that may be observed as a kind of
“refreshment” from the rigors of fasting, and hair shirts (so, you are welcome
to step out at any time in the service to take off your hair shirts—but just
for today).
Actually, the truth is that Advent
was originally 40 days of fasting in preparation for Christmas, and began after
the Feast of St. Martin (November 11th), and Advent was even
referred to as “St. Martin’s Lent.” This was the tradition as early as the 5th
Century.
Eventually, around the 9th
Century, Advent was shortened to 4 weeks, but this idea of a Sunday for
refreshment from penitence was still a carry-over. So, even though Advent isn’t
really maintained as a season of penitence (although the Orthodox, and some
Roman Churches still do), we still have this Sunday—Rose Sunday in the 3rd
week of Advent.
Well, I suppose given the hectic
pace that most of us are expected to keep during this season, maybe a day of
refreshment is not such a bad idea… Our Old Testament reading reflects the
restoration of all things with the coming of the Messiah, and all of Creation’s
hopes are realized. That’s certainly a nice image. And, then , we have this
lovely quote from the Letter to the Philippians about remaining joyful,
thankful, and at peace. So far things are looking really good and refreshing.
However, things sort of change tone
when we get to the Gospel reading—here things get a little less comforting.
This, of course where we hear the familiar words of John the Baptist crying out,
“You Brood of Vipers! Who warned you to flee the wrath to come?” (Personally, I
would be open to renaming Gaudete Sunday “Brood of Vipers Sunday.” We could get
really cool banners made.) I also still think this is the best sermon ever.
Anyway, John calls out to the
people to bear fruits worthy of repentance. He warns them not to be too comfortable
because of their ethnic heritage, simply being children of Abraham is not
enough. After all, God can raise up children of Abraham from the very stones.
“No,” John persists, “this is the time to take seriously the demands that come
with being people of God.” And “[e]ven now the ax is laying at the root of the
trees,” and any that do not bear fruit will be cut down and thrown into the
fire. (Really great stuff this. I love it.)
Well, in spite of hearing this, and
even being called a brood of vipers, the people find their way out to the
riverside all the same. They’re drawn to John’s message. But, as they begin to
do some soul searching, these people begin to freak out—what can they do? I
mean axes are laying at roots, being children of Abraham doesn’t amount to
much, and now John is saying a fruitless life is one that is to be cut down and
thrown onto the garbage heap. This no longer feels very refreshing.
However, John the Baptist (in spite
of his title, perhaps) explains that the way of salvation is actually quite
easy… He explains, if you have more than one coat, or more than enough
food—share it with those who have none of those things. Tax collectors, he
says, shouldn’t take more money than is required—and soldiers shouldn’t extort
money from people, and be satisfied with their wages.
Now seeing as how our culture isn’t
really set up to enable tax collectors and soldiers to do the kinds of things
John describes—I suppose it makes things that much simpler. I know I have more
than one coat, and I know that I have more than enough food. Perhaps I can be
saved?! All I need to do is share.
It would even seem that if any of
you have an extra coat and more than enough food, and any of you also gave to
those who don’t have those things—any of you can be saved, too?! Honestly, it
isn’t as bad as it seems, actually. In fact, the choice is pretty easy, we can
be a brood of vipers who are saved by helping those who cannot help
themselves—or we can end up cut down like fruitless trees and thrown into the fire…
(It is still a Baptist sermon—I just didn’t want you to forget.)
Kidding aside, however, the thing
is, it may very well be that this message that John preaches is exactly the
kind of refreshment we need. In a way it’s like instead of the promise of chocolate,
fuzzy slippers, a bottle of wine and a marathon of The Vanilla Ice Project to try and recover from the stress and woes
of life; we’re given a real curative.
John’s message is not one of hopelessness, but it is a cold cup of coffee—it’s
a wake-up call to put away excuses; put away entitlement; and put away the
illusions of insulated life. This sermon is one in which John, as a prophet,
calls all of us back to our senses, and our purpose as people of God. And the
message is simple: we’re meant to change the world with the salvation that
Jesus Christ has given us, and if we’re not even willing to work for that
change in even the simplest, most obvious ways, then our salvation is
worthless.
We mourn the troubles and darkness
of the world. Personally, I’m tired sick of political candidates using fear and
ignorance to tempt us to close-off, and shut the world out for some illusion of
safety. We’re tempted to believe that there isn’t enough for everyone, so we
need to snatch and hoard all that we can to take care of our own. We’re given
to believe that the world, with all of its dysfunction and trouble isn’t worth
our small attempts at helping.
But John is here in this message to tell us
that we are very much part of the solution to all of that trouble and all of
that darkness. Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Jesus
says, “You are the Light of the world.” Our contribution then is a simple one,
be forgiven, then help and care for those who can’t help and care for
themselves.
Perhaps Advent isn’t so much a
season of penitence for us anymore, and the idea of a Sunday for refreshment
may seem a little strange; Advent remains a time of anticipation, and the theme
of Rose Sunday, or Gaudete Sunday is joy.
However, it could be that the joy
and refreshment comes to us in the form of John the Baptist telling us the
truth—we need forgiveness, we need to not be so self-focused. And while it may
not mean unquenchable fire for those who refuse to change their hearts, I would
say that to ignore our responsibility to share, and love one another, and care
for one another is serious business. I think it’s especially troubling when the
answer to all of it is so simple.
Maybe you won’t see the words “You
Brood of Vipers!” on Christmas cards any time soon, but I would offer the
possibility that John the Baptist’s words are more than refreshing. His is a
truth that wakens us up to reality, the world is in trouble—but the solution,
as he presents it, is more than simple: the business of our salvation is the
business of caring for others.
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