Faith Thoughts for Sunday December 17, 2006
Based on the sermon, by The Rev. Dr. Anne Miner-Pearson
Luke 3:7-18 & Philippians 4:4-9

To hear audio of the sermon, click here
If you would like to have the text of the sermon emailed to you, please contact the church office: nativity@nativityepiscopal.net

On this third Sunday in Advent, John the Baptizer preaches God's judgment and the need for our repentance. Having heard his harsh words, the crowd around him wonders what they might do in response.

1. In Luke's gospel, John's message is what is termed "apocalyptic" meaning "uncovering" or "revealing". He speaks of the end time when the true reality of the world and our lives will be fully exposed and judged by God. We live in a time of many apocalyptic messages and messengers from New Age prophets to the series of "Left Behind" books. Where do you hear these messages? What do you believe about the end of human history?
2. As you look around the world, where do you think God might be at work beneath the surface of war, famine and disaster? Where might God's reign of justice and peace be breaking forth? How hopeful are you about changes for good occurring in our world?
3. Given the state of our world, it is tempting to retreat into our own small personal worlds we can manage. However, John calls for just the opposite stance. John sends the people around him right back into the world to do something about those without clothes and food. He addresses economic imbalance and points to how power can corrupt the heart. The concrete actions he suggested must have seemed difficult in light of the powerful structures of the Roman Empire. What is your reaction to John's suggestions? If you had been in that crowd, how ready and willing would you have been to follow through?
4. I suggested that the United Nations 8 Millennium Development Goals are apocalyptic examples in our own times. We are being called to see with fresh eyes the possibility of a new time of justice and hope in our world. With the call to give 0.7% of our income to address these eight goals, our individual actions could create enough power to make changes. What do you know about these goals and the Episcopal Church's role in this international project? Would you be willing to learn more? Could you consider that God might be at work in this way? What would 0.7% of your yearly income be?
5. In In the third episode of the children's story, "Christmas Tapestry" by Patricia Polacco, Jonathan Week's family discovers that the cloth they purchased was made by the old woman whom they have befriended. Her story of the cloth opens up that family's world to remember how Jews were treated in Nazi Germany decades ago. What space have you opened in your life this Christmas season for others whose lives are quite different from yours? How might you continue that openness into the new year?

Philippians 4:4-9

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. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

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.

God of hope
you call us home from the exile of selfish oppression
to the freedom of justice,
the balm of healing, and the joy of sharing.
Make us strong to join you in your holy work,
as friends of strangers and victims,
companions of those whom others shun,
and as the happiness of those whose hearts are broken.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Revised Common Lectionary Prayers (CCT), Fortress Press

The Rev. Dr. Anne Miner-Pearson
Episcopal Church of the Nativity
15601 Maple Island Road
Burnsville, MN 55306     952-435-8687
annem-p@nativityepiscopal.net
www.natvitiyepiscopal.net

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