Sermon Dec 14th
While Old Testament theology tied sickness to punishment for sin, Jesus healed and forgave, thereby allowing the healed to attend worship... St Paul's walk from pharisee to apostle epitomized this transition in our understanding of God's will.
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Some years ago, I embarked on a guided tour advertised as a pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Paul. These trips can be quite enlightening, providing opportunities to explore places you might not otherwise visit. However, they also come with the caveat of not being able to choose your fellow travelers.
A Journey through History
Our tour commenced in Athens, where we were shuttled to prominent tourist sites before being dropped at the foot of the Acropolis. Ascending to the top, we were met by an English guide who launched into the history of the Parthenon. Her introduction included practical advice: no stone souvenirs, as millions visit annually.
The Parthenon began construction over 400 years before Christ. St. Paul visited, as a tourist. It had also functioned as a mosque and later as a Turkish army ammunition depot, which exploded in 1687. What we see today, is a reconstruction. We observed the marble restoration work—pristine white from repairs, slowly darkening from natural exposure.
The Lesson of Listening
Before we explored further, our guide opened for questions. Predictably, someone asked if pollution darkened the marble, disregarding her previous explanation. When the tour guide finished her answer and turned, the lady who asked the pollution question picked up a stone and put it in her purse.
This incident mirrored a broader human flaw: hearing without truly listening. Reflecting on those who thronged to John the Baptist at the Jordan River, they heard him heralding the Messiah while missing his true message of spiritual transformation.
John's Expectations vs. Jesus' Reality
John the Baptist, with his vivid preaching, conceived of the coming Messiah as a figure of fierce justice. Jesus, however, revealed himself differently—welcoming children, mingling with societal outsiders, and embodying forgiving love in stark contrast to John's firebrand outlook. This must have prompted John's followers to question Jesus' identity based on their mismatched expectations.
The Fulfillment of Promise
Upon returning from wilderness temptation, Jesus practically fulfilled prophecy with his reading from Isaiah, claiming the scripture had come true. He inaugurated a new era of healing and liberty, challenging the Old Testament's association of sickness with sin. Jesus' actions were manifestations of God's healing power, breaking cultural barriers by restoring societal participation to sufferers through their healing.
Our Call to Heal
Reflecting on Jesus' ministry, I see a profound call for us to embody the healing presence in the world. Through compassion and charity, we channel that divine mandate. Jesus reminded us that suffering is not a sin indicator but an invitation to enact God's works.
Being Instruments of Restoration
As broken people yearning for wholeness, we understand God's will for us: to engage actively in the healing of others, recognizing their afflictions as opportunities for grace. As we await Christ's advent, the spirit that empowers us to bless, forgive, and heal is the same that dwells within Jesus.
Conclusion
This pilgrimage spurred reflection on our spiritual journey, urging gratitude for salvific love and the transformative potential it holds. Let us be God's instruments, extending Christ-like compassion, proclaiming restoration through Jesus' wounds. As we walk through this Advent season, may we remain steadfast in prayer for a spirit that aligns with Christ's, embodying his compassion and hope.
Thanks be to God.