2nd Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 42: 1-9
this is more of a rework and reflection that a sermon - the words in blue are the reworking of the Isaiah passage; the purple words are the reflecting...
Here we are in the season of Advent – waiting, watching,
hoping, seeking once more the promise of the dark season, which brings light to
overcome the dark; light to dispel the shadows; light to show the way; light
for hope and for each one of us. In this season of anticipation we have signs and
wonders to pave the way:
The prophet speaks: listen now to God’s word as it has come to me.“I’ve chosen someone special; someone good and kind; I made him strong and courageous, and he pleases me with all he is.Because he is special – the world will become fair and gracious, something with in him spreads joy like contagion – and the weak and outcast will find their rightful place.His voice is calm and measured, there is no need to raise his voice with shouts and rhetoric -Everything has its place, its time, everything has a chance and all things will be as they will be.When the world embraces his ways, then justice and mercy will prevail and all will be equal and valued.Even when the world is spinning uncontrollably, and all seems lost – he will stand firm. And because of him, the earth will be the place it should be, the place it could be – for all time.Throughout every land, eager ears are waiting; eager hearts and minds, ready to learn, ready to take the message out into every corner.”The prophet speaks: This world we live in is designed, not an accidental crashing of molecules but the imagination, and dreams of the one who creates all – God’s dreams, images, patterns and textures – God’s love, God’s breath, God’s joy, God’s hope.... all here because God saw it, and God called it Good.God speaks: he sends the special One, with a mission, with a task, with a goal – that all who know the One, will also know God; that the One will bring to all on earth, hope for the future. To the special One, God sends the power; and with that power, the One fulfils God’s promise: here is Light. Here is Hope. This Light is for you little ones; you frightened ones; you outcast ones; you strange and different ones... you who feel rejected by the world, know this: God’s Promise is for you. Especially for you.The special one seeks out those in darkness; those held captive; the One finds them, lifts them up; gives them hope:All you who hear this – use your ears! Remember this – God and God alone is the One; the special One – is God as well. Follow, worship, thank, praise, love God and only God.All that God promises comes to be; all that God does is right; God chooses voices for the world: voices to stand up, to shout loud; to share the promises and to remind the people – God is Good!When you hear of God’s words, trust them; know them; believe them – it will come to be; God has promised this: God’s word is true.
How glorious it is to know God’s light is in the world!
Here we are in the season of Advent – waiting, watching,
hoping, seeking once more the promise of the dark season, which brings light to
overcome the dark; light to dispel the shadows; light to show the way; light
for hope and for each one of us.
What a wondrous promise we have heard!
What a wondrous promise we receive!
The One who was sent; the
One who came – a poor and humble child; weak and vulnerable, has overcome the
darkness to bring light to those who wait in hope.
And we are they!
We are the ones who wait;
the ones who hope; the ones who believe the promise
We prepare for his coming;
we prepare to share light and love and hope and joy and the news that the One
who comes, comes for all.
This is our hope!
This is no exclusive
restrictive club!
This is not a place where
doors are barred and the humble rejected.
Indeed, this is not a place
for hopes to be dashed
It is a place for all hope
to be fulfilled.
All people to be invited in
All people to be welcomed
All people to be valued
All people to be heard
This is the hope of our
season:
God so loved the world, he
chose the One
God so loved the world, he
sent him in – anonymously, quietly, without fanfare or fuss
God so loved the world, he
gave him great power, to be used with great love
God so loved the world
God so loved the people of the
world
God so loved you...
Yes!!
You!
And you, and you and you – each
and every one of you
And not only did he send the
One then out of love for those who were waiting; he sent the One for all who had
been, and all who were yet to come
God loved, loves, will continue
to love
What a wondrous promise we have heard!
What a wondrous promise we receive!
beautifully done
ReplyDelete