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Sermons
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Sermon for Sunday Next Before Advent |
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Monday, 24 November 2008 |
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The Sunday Next Before Advent, 2008
"...And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, 'Behold the Lamb of God!'"
(St. John 1.36)
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Lesson this morning speaks to us about a King: a King Who would "execute judgment and
justice in the earth'_ a King Who would lead God's people home to their own land, from all the countries where they had been scattered during the wars they had lost. And this King, said the Prophet Jeremiah, would be called by this title, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. He would be a no-nonsense kind of leader, somebody who knew what needed to be done and did it; someone who actually follow through; someone with real authority, who exercise wisdom and ruled with power for the benefit of his people. That Someone, even though Jeremiah lived 600 years before Him, was the Lord Jesus Christ. It was Jesus Whom Jeremiah was talking about when He referred to a King Who would "execute judgment and justice in the earth". The question is 'HOW? How would Jesus (and how will He) bring judgment and justice? And why is His title 'THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS'?
Judgment and justice are the reasons behind the story of the Saudi oil-tanker that was captured this week by Somali pirates. As the headline in the Times and Transcript said, 'Somali Pirates Seen as Heroes'. Apparently, there has been no effective central government in Somalia since 1991. Life expectancy is just 46 years, and a quarter of the children die before they reach the age of five. Violence and poverty reign supreme in Somalia, and the economy is made up mostly of fishmongers and women who sell mangoes by the seashore - except in the northern coastal towns which are the home base for pirates. In Harardhere, one of these coastal towns, the residents came out in droves to celebrate as the massive Saudi oil tanker came into view. Businessmen and women quickly set up small kiosks of cigarettes, bottles of orange pop, and a variety of food in anticipation of the pirates arrival. One lady said that she had instituted a layaway plan at her shop, just for the pirates. She went on to say that, "Regardless of how the money is coming in, legally or illegally, it has started a life in our town. Our children are not worrying about food now, and they go to Islamic schools in the morning and play soccer in the afternoon. They are happy," she said. These areas on the northern coast - once full of chaos and poverty - now bustle with restaurants, internet cafes and expensive vehicles. Residents also use the money (the pirates spend) to buy generators which allow them to have full days of electricity, once an unimaginable luxury in Somalia.
After hearing all this, can you see how it might be said that the pirates "execute judgment and justice"? For the poor people of Somalia it seems that they do. And we are not much different. What do most Canadians want from our Prime Minister? Honesty, fairness, an environmental plan, jobs, and a stable economy. For the most part we want the things to be in place that will make us comfortable in a middle-class life-style. We want to be comfortable and we want to be happy; and, we do not want that just for ourselves, we want it for everyone: for the impoverished of Somalia, for the oppressed in Afghanistan; for the fearful in Sudan and Zimbabwe; and for the needy in our own community - we want justice and peace and love and joy for ourselves, and for all of them, during our lifetime.
However, what we want and what we need are not always the same. That's where today's Gospel comes in and sheds light on the Lesson from the Prophet Jeremiah. In the Gospel, we find out what we need, and Who we need. Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, was with two of his own disciples one day, and Jesus was there, too. Suddenly, John said, -Behold the Lamb of God!- He said it to his disciples about Jesus. In other words, he was pointing them to the lord; he was saying to them, "There He is, go talk to Him and see for yourself the truth about this Man." You see, John, and all the other Jewish people of his day, were constantly on the look-out for the Messiah - for the One Whom God would send to save them. Some understood that the Messiah would save them and deliver them from the rule of the Roman Empire - they yearned for freedom and for their own land. Others, perhaps, believed that the Messiah would bring a heavenly salvation and an everlasting peace_- a righteousness and holiness that we desperately need. but that cannot be found in the ways and things of this world. Of course, John the Baptist believed that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah; and he understood that the greatest need in the world was not a comfortable life, but rather deliverance from the power of sin. So, he was always pointing his disciples to Christ. When he spoke to them in today's Gospel, it wasn't the first time he had said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" Actually, he had said the same thing to them just the day before! Then, he had told them, "Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of Whom I said, 'After me comes a Man Who ranks before me, for He was before me' And I have seen and borne witness that this is the Son of God." (St. John1.29, 3D, 34)
Let's pause for a minute to make sure that this point is clear: John the Baptist said of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!" Last week, we heard that the Son of God was manifested (revealed) so that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 St. John 3.8) These two go together with the same message: we have a great enemy that needs to be defeated, but we cannot tackle him alone. On our own we will lose. This enemy is Satan, the devil; and, he is jealous of God. And, as the old saying goes, 'Misery loves company'; therefore, the devil is always on the prowl trying to get us to side with him against the Lord. He tempts us and sets doubts and fears before us; and, if we give into those temptations - if we choose them -- we end up choosing against God's Way. When Adam and Eve did that for the very first time in history - when they disobeyed God and sinned - everything changed. All that had been perfectly created was affected, not just the people. Thorns and thistles began to grow for the first time. Violence entered the animal kingdom where previously there was none. Greed and jealousy and pride seeped into hearts where before there had only been Love. And, death became a reality, It was never God's intention for us, and certainly NOT part of His creation; but because of sin, it entered the world and we see and experience the sadness and grief that come with it on a daily basis.
So, in light of this great enemy called sin, what do we need? Not primarily comfort - our ancestors certainly did not have comfort on the level that we have it now. Outhouses, horse and pung, houses without insulation, wood cut by hand, no running water. What do we need? First and foremost we need deliverance from the power of sin. We need the Lamb of God, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Having said that, do we ignore the needs of those around us? Of course not! What did Jesus say? He said that we must love one another as a sign of our love for God. And what must be the foundation of this love? Well, the Cross gives us the picture: the foundation of our love for one another must be God's love which is rooted in sacrifice. This kind of love that conquers sin is not found in feelings, but rather in decisions on the side of what is good and true and right and holy, regardless of the cost
You see, God's justice is not fairness according to some human standard. It is not justice as we think of it, dependent on the enforcement of a particular moral code or law. On the contrary, God's justice is about grace and mercy, which do not always fit with our idea of fairness. Was it fair that God sent His only Son to die as our Substitute so that we might be free from the power of sin? Was that fair? No, but it was merciful and gracious. So, when the Prophet Jeremiah spoke of a King who would "execute judgment and justice in the earth", he was speaking of that Heavenly justice and judgment that only Christ can bring - judgment and justice that offer true happiness and eternal hope.
The last thing for us to consider this morning is the question, HOW? How will Jesus bring His justice? Not by military force, but instead, like a Iamb. He is, as John the Baptist called Him, 'The Lamb of God'. Like a Iamb that goes to the butchers, so the Lord Jesus went to the Cross, for us. He died and rose again to defeat sin and death. And, He has promised to come again - this time not like a Iamb, but as our King - with power and glory. Then, He will completely destroy the works of the devil and all that opposes His kingdom of righteousness. Then, as Jeremiah prophesied, He will gather His people together from all the places they have been scattered – He will gather us together to Himself and take us to live with Him forever, where, as He has told us "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain" (Revelation 21.4) Alleluia! Amen.
And now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
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Wednesday, 12 November 2008 |
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Trinity 25, 2008
The Sunday before Remembrance Day
“And this is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which he hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”
(St. John 6:40)
In the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
About two-thirds of the way down this side aisle (almost to the back of the Church), there is a window of St. George, given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Charles Tupper Busby. The inscription at the bottom says that he died at Heidelburg, South Africa on August 29, 1901. And then it says that the window was furnished by his relatives and friends. But that is only part of the story.
Approximately 7500 soldiers were sent by Canada to South Africa between October, 1899 and May, 1902. Including men from the 8th Princess Louise’s New Brunswick Hussars. There were also other volunteers from Newcastle, St. John, Carleton County, Sussex, St. Stephen, Fredericton – and from Moncton, one of whom was Charles Tupper Busby from this parish.
At first, with only two weeks notice, Canada sent one thousand troops. Apparently tailors scrambled to meet the need for uniforms. Then, as British casualties mounted, another seven thousand men (and women who served courageously as nurses), were deployed. Among this second group was our Charles Busby. However, he was not in the regular forces – he was among 1200 recruited in Canada to be part of the South African Constabulary, designed by none other that Colonel Baden – Powell himself. This was a mounted unit (they rode on horses), with a uniform very much like the traditional, Scouting picture: wide-brimmed hat, khaki shirt and pants. The South African Constabulary was a para-military unit, established for the maintenance of order and public security in the northern regions of South Africa where the greatest population of Boers lived. In war time, they were soldiers who could respond to the hot and wild conditions of South Africa, including the guerrilla warfare tactics of the Boers. In peace time, when the war was finished, they served as a District Mounted Police Force. And, one more thing: these men signed up for three years; whereas the regular forces committed themselves for one.
Well, on with the story: Charles Busby enlisted with the “L” Squad of the South African Constabulary in the Spring of 1901. Of course, we don’t know why; however, it could be that he was influenced by the enthusiastic rejoicing and celebrating that was widespread in the Maritimes at that particular time. British Forces (including Canadians) were winning, and good news was making its way not just into the cities, but also into the towns and villages. Bells were ringing, crowds were gathering, and bands were playing; and it was an optimistic time for Canadians overall.
On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1901 a force of 500 from Canada’s North-West, passed through Moncton on their way to Halifax, their departure point, and they were presented with a beautiful silk flag by Miss Cocker on behalf of the city. Her brother had been killed previously while in the British Service in Africa. So, while we’ll never know the exact reasons for Charles Busby’s enlistment, it is clear that the events of the Boer War were very much known and felt, even in Moncton; that fact, together with the general yet strong sense of duty to serve the Queen in whatever way necessary, helps our understanding.
Once Charles Busby reached South Africa, he was assigned to the “C” Division of the Constabulary, and sent to the Eastern Transvaal region. It was a wild and mountainous area where lions and leopards, rhinos and elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelope and ostriches lived. You might envision it as the territory near the coastline under Rhodesia. Anyway, Charles Tupper was only a few months into his tour when he was wounded – possibly by accident – at Bloemdal. It was August 26, 1901; and he died 3 days later at Heidelberg, roughly 25 miles from Johannesburg. He was one of 277 Canadians killed in the Boer War.
I wonder what happened in those 3 last days for Charles Busby. Was he conscious? If so, he would have surely been agonizing for New Brunswick and for those relatives and friends whom he loved, and who loved him. What would he have prayed for? Was he resolute to the end, or thankful, afraid, or bitter?
It would have been very easy to have been bitter: after all, here he was thousands of miles from home, in a climate that was, at times, cold enough to snow. And, if he was wounded accidentally that was all the more reason to be bitter. And, although there was great enthusiasm for the war in parts of Canada, Charles would have been confronted with another side of the story reaching South Africa. He met the opposition, and saw them face to face. Suddenly, a far away adventure had become real – and human too. So, in his last three days there was probably all of these thoughts, and many more, including perhaps the strongest of all: a fear of being lost. Who would tell his family? Who was going to stay by his side to comfort him? Who would bury his body? Would anyone back home ever find out what happened to him? Did God know his fears?
We all have these thoughts from time to time – especially when we are facing sickness and uncertainty. Does God know? Does He care? The answer is ‘YES’. That’s exactly what Jesus is speaking of in this morning’s Gospel: “This is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which he hath given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day”…”That I should lose nothing – or no one.” Those beautiful words call us to the Parable of the Lost Sheep. What happened there? The Shepherd counted his sheep and knew that one was missing; and so he went to find it and when he did, he brought it home rejoicing.
In Heidelberg, South Africa in the last days of August, 1901 a little lamb from Moncton – a little dying lamb, just a boy – felt lost. But even in his darkest hour, he wasn’t lost at all – not to God. For, in Christ, the doubts and lostness of death have been overcome, and changed. For those who belong to Christ, there is no longer separation, but union – Holy Communion. What does St. Paul say in today’s Epistle? “I am persuaded that (nothing) - not even death – shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Chris Jesus our Lord.” And this is a unique claim and the reality of the Christian Faith: that by the Death and Resurrection of God’s only-begotten Son, the lostness of death has been changed. It no longer exists – in Christ, we are no longer lost, but found. Remember this, dear friends, and believe it. Think of this often: “In Christ, I am found – in Him, I have life and Hope and Peace forever.” This is the mercy and goodness of God – believe it and repent says the Gospel. Many people spend their whole life trying to find themselves – trying to find happiness, love and purpose. For the Christian, it is not a matter of finding it, because, actually, Love has found us. We have been found by God, and adopted as His own in Holy Baptism. So we are found – we simply need to accept that fact and live accordingly. So remember: “Nothing can separate you from the love of God” – you will only be lost if you choose that for yourself.
In closing, as we have spoken today of Africa and of being found, let us remember St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine. She followed her son when he left their home in Africa to go to Italy. Fearing for his spiritual welfare, and yearning for him to be baptized and to turn to the Lord Jesus, she went after him – praying for him, crying after him, and seeking the support of others in her quest. Anyway, by God’s grace, Augustine did eventually change his ways and repent, and was baptized. And then, with his mother, decided to return to Africa. But she took sick and became gravely ill, to the point that Augustine lamented his waywardness. He knew that his mother wanted to die at home, and now she would have to be buried in a foreign land. To which St. Monica said, something like, “Don’t worry my son – nothing is far from God; I need not fear that He will know from where to raise me up at the end of the world.”
So it was for Charles Busby, we pray; and so may it be for us – a lively faith that knows God’s abiding Presence. A faith that knows itself to be found because nothing is far from God. |
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