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December 20, 2006

Anne Jensen - Dec 17, 2006

Advent 3C Zephaniah 3:14-20, Is. 12:2-6, Philippians 44-7, Luke 3:7-18

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What are we to make of our scripture readings this morning? We have these wonderful, reassuring readings from Zephaniah and Philippians, the first one full of words of rejoicing and promise of a renewed and restored Israel, followed by Paul’s instructions to rejoice and rest in the peace of God which comes through Jesus. We could just stop there and bask in good feelings and the warmth of God’s favor toward us. That’s actually a very appealing idea. We long for a better world, one that isn’t torn by war; one in which people have enough to eat and clean water to drink; one in which children are cherished and receive an education that will give them tools to be good citizens of the world. Oh, and we wish for so much more that would make earth a better place to live.
And then we get to the gospel and to the powerful words of John the Baptist, and the tone changes completely! “You brood of vipers!” You sons (and daughters) of snakes! “Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” The implied answer is “I did…I, John.” John was in the line and tradition of the prophets, who have not been heard from in nearly 400 years. John is the prophet who lived to see his messiah, and even he wasn’t sure. Later when he was in prison, he sent messengers to Jesus asking if Jesus was the messiah, or if they were to wait for another.” (Luke 7:18)

Earlier in this chapter of the gospel, Luke writes that John was traveling all over the region around the Jordan River, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. In the passage for today, John’s angry at the people who have come out to be baptized; he accuses them of being baptized with no intention of starting a new, ethical life. If they think that by being baptized they will evade God’s judgment at the end of the era, they are wrong: they must also turn to godliness.

John is presenting the people with a choice: either respond to God’s offer of repentance and salvation by beginning a new way of living or face condemnation at the end of time. He implores the crowd, “Bear fruits worthy of repentance.” Faced with such a choice, they ask, “What should we do?”

There are only four words in that sentence, and they are all important. First let’s look at “do.” Our English translations miss a vital connection with this word in our texts. The Greek word translated "do" is the same word translated "bear" in! Like the good tree naturally "bearing" good fruit, so the "doing" by the crowds, tax collectors, soldiers, and others, grows out of having repented -- having a changed mind and heart and life (and "roots").

“Should”: We’ve all been told we should do one thing or another, and there’s a heavy load of obligation when it comes from an authority figure. This sentence might also be translated, “What would you have us do?” There’s an element of volition here.

The “we” can be understood as collective individuals, which is probably how we hear these words. We do an internal translation to “What should I do?” John is clear that an individual can make choices about sharing whatever one has: food and clothing for example. Most people had only two coats, which actually was the garment worn next to the skin, one for everyday and one for the Sabbath.

But then groups of people…even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked the same question. What’s notable is that in each example, John gives suggestions for ethical behavior that is in the realm of their lives…not to go out and change someone else’s system…change how you are executing your own life. If you are a tax collector, collect no more than the amount prescribed for you. If you are a soldier, forget the extortion, and be satisfied with your wages. Both the tax collectors and the soldiers were part of a system. One person making a change would probably just mean that that one person wouldn’t make a living that way anymore. But what if they heard John’s words collectively and acted collectively? Then they could make a difference.

What if we as a faith community took these words BOTH as individuals and as the collective WE? John was calling for ethical behavior that arises naturally out of gratitude for the gift of forgiveness and renewal. What does that look like in your life? Do you take God’s forgiveness for granted and go on about your life without making changes? What excuses do you make? I’m too old, too set in my ways to change? I’m too young to always be thinking about others—this is my time to live! Maybe your excuse is “I don’t have the time / the energy / the disposition to figure out another, more caring way to live.” “I just have to keep going.” You know, I think we’re talking about stewardship here…stewardship in the larger sense of making choices about how to use our resources…not just material resources, which is important, of course, but also our imaginations, our energy, our time, our spiritual strength. We’ve talked about stewardship being a year-round consideration, so my invitation to you is to use Advent, this time of preparation, to consider how you respond to God’s invitation to change direction, make a course correction, and in doing so, make a change that benefits not only you, but others, as well….others in your family, in your school, in your workplace, in the community, in the country and in the world.

Now about that WE….we have more trouble grasping possibilities here. Collectively we could extend forgiveness to each other for the times we have not trusted the motives of those with whom we disagree. We could ask forgiveness for the times we have not communicated clearly or fully. What should we do? We can be honest and open in our communications. I think we have improved in that area in the last year. Transparency has been an important word in the vestry. We’ve turned a corner, but we’re barely around the bend, and I’m afraid it wouldn’t take much to change direction again. Living into a new way of life takes time and practice, and it is almost always a way that difficult at times.

Theologically, the converted heart produces the new works. Doing good does not make one repentant; but true repentance produces the proper, good fruit. Sharing one's food and clothing, and living within one's means doesn't make one a Christian; but being a Christian should result in such deeds. However, practically and therapeutically, sometimes the order is reversed. Sometimes we advise: "Act your self to a new way of thinking." A similar saying is attributed to Jesse Jackson: "It is easier to walk your way into a new way of thinking -- than to think your way into a new way of walking."

Do we need to feel threatened or fearful of the winnowing fork or the fire? This passage assumes that we are either wheat or chaff. We are called to align ourselves with God’s justice. The reality is that the winnowing process is not done; we are still both wheat and chaff. Fred Craddock, an Episcopal priest who is both a highly esteemed preacher and writer (Luke, Interpretation Commentaries), offers this wonderful summary: "When repentance and forgiveness are available, judgment is good news (v. 18). The primary aim is to save the wheat, not to burn the chaff." [p. 49]

The one who is to come, the One who is more powerful than John has the power and the desire to refine us, to give us the power for the changes we cannot make on our own. John offers hope and new life for the tax collectors, the soldiers, and all sinners. We all can be gathered by Jesus into his kingdom.

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