The Third Sunday of Advent (Year B), Dec. 14, 2008
BCP: Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 126 or Canticle 3 or 15; 1 Thess. 5:(12-15)16-28; John 1:6-8,19-28 or John 3:23-30
RCL: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126 or Canticle 3 or 15; 1 Thess. 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
Leafing through either a daily newspaper or the phone company’s Yellow Pages, one invariably encounters ads with little fish symbols or even crosses included with the copy. It’s almost as though the placers of these ads are trying to cash in on their association with Jesus—and, of course, some of them are.
Even more blatantly, an outfit called Christian Mortgage, located in a major city, recently touted on so-called Christian radio a product it referred to as a “smart loan”—a variable rate, negatively amortizing, property-backed obligation. The company’s owner, moreover, a self-styled “pastor,” had the gall to identify what he was doing as a “ministry!”
One need not look far in the modern world to see people using their Christian faith to gain some sort of personal advantage over others. For the past 30 or so years politicians have been pandering to the religious far-right, often with electoral success. Bookstores and TV outlets proclaim institutional faith, unlicensed psychotherapists practice in the name of Jesus, and salespeople regularly abuse their church membership by reducing it to a means for finding business leads. Is nothing sacred?
In today’s gospel, John the baptizer models a relationship with Jesus which is totally at odds with what we’re used to. There’s no hint here that through it John seeks any advantage at all — and this is one who is a blood relative of the Savior. Denying that he’s holy by association, claiming not to be a worker of miracles, and refuting any claim to religious authority, John’s humility is overwhelming.
“Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us,” demand the Levites. “He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” “Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.”
John identifies himself simply as one who calls attention to the Lord. For all of us who try to use Jesus as a means of glorifying ourselves, today’s gospel suggests a better way of living in relationship with the Savior. Instead of his bringing attention to us, we’re called to live our lives in such a way that we call attention to him. We do that when, in his name, we feed the hungry and clothe the ragged and comfort the sick. We do it as we love others with his own love — when others see in our actions not us, but him into whose body we have been grafted through the water of baptism.
This gospel calls us to emulate John in constantly calling attention to Christ.
Look It Up
How does Paul’s sermon in Acts 17:22-31 point beyond himself and give glory to the Lord?
Think About It
What have I done today to steer others toward the glory of God?
Next Sunday
The Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year B), Dec. 21, 2008
BCP: 2 Sam. 7:4,8-16; Psalm 132 or 132:8-15; Rom. 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
RCL: 2 Sam. 7:1-11, 16; Canticle 3 or 15 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Rom. 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
