Readings for Advent 1A:
Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 24:36-44
December 2, 2007
The Rev. Karen Faye Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino, CA
“The Lord shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” [Isaiah 2:4] Outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, there is one of the most famous sculptures of modern times. It is an image of a powerfully built man depicted beating a sword into a plowshare. On the base of the sculpture are the words, slightly altered from Isaiah 2:4: “We shall beat our swords into plowshares.” This vision of peace was first spoken through the prophet Isaiah some 2700 years ago. It is a powerful vision that many people still hold onto today. Holding onto God’s vision for a transformed world is the subject of today’s sermon.
Whenever a couple comes into my office for pre-marital counseling, I ask them how they envision their relationship 5 years out, 10 years out, and twenty years out. I ask them to articulate their hopes and dreams, their vocations and passions, and specifically how they will work together to make that vision a reality. What I have noticed is, that couples who do not articulate or work toward a similar vision, have a tendency (after many years) to pull apart and begin living separate lives. Then when the going gets really tough in their marriage, they feel as if they have nothing in common and seek out a divorce or live together in isolation. “Without a vision, the people will perish.” [Proverbs 29:18]
In today’s reading from Isaiah, the prophet lays out for the people of Jerusalem and Judah God’s vision for the world. It is a vision that includes international politics and a peacetime economy. It is a vision where all nations will one day listen to the word of God (rather than to the voices of self-interest). It is a vision where temporary peace accords are not created through clever diplomacy but rather through the hard work of learning and following the path of selfless love. It is a vision of an alternative economy; one that requires the dismantling of weapons of mass destruction. Resources once used for the continuation of war, will be used to build up communities, ensuring that all people will live in dignity and have enough to eat.
Isaiah lived in Israel some 2700 years ago. At that time in history, the Assyrians had invaded Israel and had captured 49 of the cities around Jerusalem. The spirit and soul of the citizens in this country were at an all time low. Isaiah describes them as follows: “Ah sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, offspring who do evil, children who deal corruptly, who have forsaken the Lord ... Why do you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and bleeding wounds ... ” [Is. 1:4-6]
It is in the context of this dismal environment of war, destruction, and faithlessness that Isaiah offers a different alternative; a vision of peace and justice where God is at the center and where the people of God actively work toward this vision. What is unique about this vision is that it does not just refer to the people of Israel but is a proclamation to all nations. In the midst of utter despair and destruction, Isaiah is foolish enough to believe that peace and justice is possible when God is at the center of the human heart and at the center of international politics. This is the kind of vision that gives me hope as a person of faith. Without hope, the human heart would break.
This vision of peace and justice has not been fully realized on earth. Nations continue to war against nations. The spirit and soul of the citizens of Israel remain at an all time low. The Middle East is exploding with civil war and terrorist attacks. Our national debt has increased to 9 trillion dollars, half of which has occurred because of military expenditures. The lives of innocent civilians all over the world have been cut short or adversely affected by warring factions.
Last week in Annapolis, talks for peace in the Middle East were held. There was much doubt about whether the leaders could make good on their promises. Because presidents Bush, Abbas and Olmert are politically weak at home and there is lingering mistrust between Israel and the Palestinians, progress will be difficult. Following the meeting, Hamas Islamists who control the Gaza Strip rejected the new peace drive. Violence also flared, with Israeli missiles killing two Hamas naval officers in the southern part of the coastal territory. What are we to do? How do we move forward and not give up?
The first thing we have to do is to hold onto God’s vision of peace and not to give up or become discouraged when things look dismal. “Without a vision, the people will perish.” If we do not hold onto this vision, our relationship with God will begin to weaken and before long, we will walk our separate ways. When this happens, hope for the future is diminished. Second, as people of faith, we need to work toward this vision by actively participating in concrete goals that can pave the way for peace. One way is by supporting the Millennium Development Goals.
Yesterday was World AIDs Day, the 26th anniversary of the first reposted case of AIDs. Worldwide, over 22 million people have died of AIDs and over 42 million people are living with HIV/AIDs, the majority of whom live in Africa. AIDs is the worst epidemic in human history; paving the way for tremendous poverty and war. What is the connection? Over 12 million children in Africa have lost one or both parents to AIDs. They are orphaned or have no parental oversight. The fields cannot be tended to, the infrastructure of the countries suffers from a lack of adult oversight, the economy is suffering, and young children are disillusioned and uncared for. This sets up an environment for outside revolutionary factions to entice young people to engage in war as a way to a better life for themselves. It is already happening.
Collin is an eight-year-old boy living in the crowded capital city of Zambia, Africa. This is his story: “I don’t remember very much about when my father died. When he was well, he was very kind to me and would let me ride on his shoulders. He was a soldier. I would like to be a soldier too. My mother says he died of AIDs so she tries to stop other people from getting AIDs. The house we live in now is smaller than where we used to live. After my father died, his family came and took everything we had, our house, our furniture, our money. My mother gets scared, mostly about money. See sells ribbons on the street. The red ribbons are to remind people about AIDs. The blue ribbons are to remind people not to hit their children. Some days she sells a lot of ribbons and brings food home. There are a lot of children living in this house. They are children whose parents have died and have no place to go. I don’t know where my mother finds them all, but she does and she brings them here. She says every child should be taken care of.” [UNICEF]
What can we do to help? This year, the Episcopal Church’s outreach branch, Episcopal Relief and Development, has raised over 1.3 million dollars to support the Millennium Development Goals, which include combating AIDs/HIV infections. Their goal is to raise 3 million dollars by the end of 2009. If every Episcopalian were to give one additional dollar to this effort, the goal would be achieved. How easy it is to achieve a goal when people hold onto a vision for peace.
Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent means “the coming.” We are preparing for the second coming of Christ, which means the coming of truth and grace into every part of creation. We are not awaiting the birth of a baby. That happened 2000 years ago. Instead, we are awaiting the birth of grace and truth into the hearts of all humanity.
So, do we just sit around and wait for God to zap the world into this peaceful harmony or do we have a responsibility to take whatever small steps we can, each and every day to create in our selves, our homes, and our communities a place of peace and grace? What can you do that will make your interactions with others exude peace, grace, harmony and love? Can you make a commitment to treat your spouse with love and respect, moving beyond the frustrations of a shared life? Can you communicate words of confidence and compassion in the midst of a chaotic work environment or amidst the angst of a demanding child? Can you bring peace into your own household, teaching your children the ways of God and instructing them how to walk in his path? Can you put aside some time during this season of Advent, to hear the small still voice that empowers and transforms, even when the priorities of society are in opposition to the Prince of Peace?
Wishing and even praying for peace will not necessarily make it happen. But peace will certainly not come about unless we imagine it, believe in it, articulate it, and work towards it. “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” [Isaiah 2:5]
| Updated December 3, 2007 |
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