Adventide Midweek Thursday # 3 [2014]: HOMILY

“THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING”

THE ADVENT OF THE KING & HIS KINGDOM

Christ’s Kingdom of Grace

Adventide Midweek 3: 18 December Anno + Domini 2014

Fr Jay Watson SSP

In The Name + of The King, Christ Jesus

   God is awesome, powerful, and omnipotent. God created all from nothing. [Gen 1.1 ff]  God sustains the vast universes, galaxies, planet earth, and you. But that doesn’t comfort you much as you age, become daily more infirm, and see your loved ones die. A transcendent God is a truth that doesn’t wipe away the tears.

   God is King, Judge, and the Fullness of everlasting life which comes for His own at the end of this time and space—at the final Advent—when the motion of events changing are taken into the Heavenly realms of unchanging eternal glory, bliss, and peaceful rest. And it won’t be a boring or dull stasis but a lively, laughing, and loving mansion-meal of Mercy!  But while that does comfort you and give you hope and strength, that too is not quite now.   It’s close; it’s at the door; it’s shimmering just over the horizon like a mirage about to become solid and stable…but it doesn’t take away the emptiness and fear, of children gone astray, unemployment, addictions, failed marriages, internal turmoils over things you want to control—but can’t.

   You are sinners but you don’t really even understand that…because you are a sinner.  You are Pharisees, I am a Pharisee; you are “old adams” (simul peccator) and so am I.   Would it do any good for me to preach right now each of the 10 Commandments in specificity, look at each of you, and try to mirror your own personal breaking of said Law in thought, word, and deed—just today?  Maybe. Yes. Your newly + washed creation would grasp the bloody bleeding sinful entrails gushing out of your ripped open bowels and you would sink to your knees (at least spiritually) and cry with Bartimaeus, Mary Magdalene, King David, Adam, and Paul “Lord have mercy upon me a sinner!”  But your sinful nature would bristle and “humph” and clench fists in cussed rage over the “other guy”…the one you spend most of the day hating.

   What are you? Why are you? Where are you? Can anyone save you from this body of decay and damnation?  Transcendence in God is not enough.

   Why does the sermon bore you: tonight’s and every Sunday’s?   What does it take?  Not me, not you, not any deed or devotion, not any self-chosen work of sanctification—good though they are, and not anything in this world will save you and give you a sense of wholeness.  Advent is hard on people. Every day is hard on you.  Christmas is NOT the most special time in the world for people, for you, no matter what Coca-Cola, the NFL, Hallmark, and your past memories cajole, suggest, or demand.  It is a time when past remembrances of perceived ‘better-times’ dredge up the loss, the dislocation, and the passing of this present evil age. 

   Okay, now you sigh, “pastor is going to end with some generic Gospel of how Jesus loves me, kept all that Law for me, suffered and died on the Cross, and is not just for me but with me—Amen.”    Yes. What else is there for a blood bought Saint but Blood—Blood of God?

   The Church IS.  You are.  While you want easy, “fixed now,” joy as you perceive it, semblance of control and well-being, sense of progress, and damn it…even a small miracle now and then…what do you get—a seeming dark night of weeping and an ugly tomorrow of everything flying apart at an even faster break-neck speed.  Your center cannot hold.

But His does. His center was speared through and gushed out Blood and Water.  That is His Church washing over you all.

   Jesus has His Kingdom of Grace in His Church and its parishes, and that my friends is all that there is and all that matters.  I’m not even sorry that the only answer seems repetitive and not instantly gratifying.  You suffer and you will suffer. You are daily martyred in spirit and mayhaps be martyred in body sooner than anyone imagines.  The life you live while under the cross—a phrase that you think is used too often and that you’re frankly tired of hearing, is your new birthright in His Holy + adoption of you.  It too IS!

   Sure, too long of a homily for a Thursday night…too much explication without attending Bible verses…to much “blah blah”  “about” and not enough IS, even after using the word. 

  Jesus loves you…and you…and…

  Jesus is with you, not in spirit and feeling, but in truth and bodily Presence! You have an imminent God/Man.  Jesus is holding you now in your wetness—tears morphing, changing, into your vine-like new creation’s moist life of belonging. You are grafted into His very Body in this parish, this Church of which He is Head and Heart.  Jesus forgives you…now…He forgives you everything. He weeps over your gut-hurt and your loss.  He groans over your loneliness and illness as much as He groaned over your sins 2,000 years ago on that hideous and beautiful tree.  He loves over your hate and embraces you tight in this His family, Augsburg now with all its imperfections and warts, and Heaven soon, very soon.  Now is your Advent, soon will be the always Mass. 

   Here, this evening, this NOW, you are safe and home in the only family that really matters…really IS…His Kingdom of Grace.

   I love you.

In The Name of The Father and of The + Son and of The Holy Ghost

HERR DOKTOR

 

 Sure, this little bloglet (least amongst those still left in cyberspace) has only 11 official "followers."  And to be sure, I no longer post as much as I did at the outset--save for my weekly (or weakly) homilies...still, I will go on publishing till  the Parousia for one reason only... HERR DOKTOR.
His comments on my posts are worth their weight in gold, and far superior to the original blog's posts.  I am saying this because it is true, not to garner more tidbits from his sui generis pen (or keyboard).
  I hope this bouquet of maudlin hero-worship doesn't embarrass him...but, ah heck, I don't care.
He is the most brilliant and friendly, and kindly (had to have three for a Trinitarian effect) Lutheran layman on the North American continent; heck, maybe the entire western hemisphere.
  I am honored and blessed to call him friend.
  The Lord is good.

- - Fr J

p.s.  the photo above is to prove that I DO actually know this Saint! :D

AVE MARIA

 

Writes Ralph Raico:

One of my minor pet peeves is how L.A. is constantly referred to as “the City of Angels.” It’s not. It’s the City of Mary. The full original, Spanish name is, “El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora, Reina de los Angeles.” “The City of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels.” Do you think that people are plain ignorant? Or is it that they don’t like to mention the name of Jesus’s Mother?

Indeed,
FrW

A Nine-Month Advent Nearing Its End

  

 Whether our Blessed Mother, Saint Mary Ever-Virgin, Theotokos, ever actually rode a donkey on her way to Bethlehem (or whether she walked) is somewhat moot...she was quite (quite) along in her Holy pregnancy nonetheless.  Her period of ADVENT was drawing to fruition--as soon The Sacred Fruit would tabernacle forever amongst us as IMMANUEL!

   An interesting quote I recently came across (if it's legitimate--as I found it on an old Roman Catholic calendar) is worth sharing:

"Hail, Mother and Virgin, living and immortal tabernacle of God, the world's treasure and ligth, ornament of virgins, support of true faith, firm foundation of every church. You who gave birth to God, and carried under your pure heart, Him Whom space cannot contain. You through whom the Holy Trinity is praised and worshipped, and through whom the holy cross is venerated in the whole world...who can praise you who are above all praise?"

- - St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bp, C, Doctor of the Church (+444)

   While there is much that a Lutheran can disagree with in this prayer/paen, there is still some verity contained.  Saint Mary of Nazareth is truly Gottesmutter and gave birth to not just "the Lord," but to "God."  She is worthy of a whole lot more praise and respect than is usually afforded her by contemporary Lutheranism. Much the pity.

   And, oh.... Saint Cyril is one tough, brass-nuckled theologian for the "smack-down" he layed on Nestorius the weasel.

   Just sayin'

Steeleye Span - Gaudete - Lyrics

GAUDETE - - The Third Sunday of Adventide: SERMON

“MORE THAN A PROPHET”

Saint Matthew 11. 2-10

Gaudete: 14 December Anno + Domini 2014

Fr Jay Watson SSP

In The Name + of Jesus

   Someone once wrote “the fact no gentleman is a hero to his butler is not because there are no heroes…but because all butlers are butlers.” He meant that the sin of pride and vanity is “old Adam” always tearing down the neighbor and harming the “other” in order to build up the slimy sinful self!  Self-justification demands scape goating, demonization of others, and theological Manichaeism—the Satan inspired teaching that “I am the good guy and the other is the bad guy;” light and dark!

   Adam was the first and is honored as such. But his place is diminished by his treason. Praise the Lord that the Second and perfect Adam has rescued him and his traitor wife from the tortures of hell (or as other monsters would say ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ of hades).  Abram is Abraham our spiritual father. And Moses is Moses the greatest of Hebrew saints. King David is the “apple of our Lord’s eye” and Elias was blessed to not only “not die” but to stand with the Lord face-to-face on at Transfiguration. Yet these heroes of the faith, and all the other stalwart saints, bow the head in recognition at The Throne and thrones. They and the Apostles themselves, and Paul, recognize their Lord and God in the middle and those that flank Him on both sides.  The trifecta at Calvary (Jesus and the two thieves) with Christ all-important: once and forever atoning and rescuing you by His “blood and merit” is joyfully transformed in Heaven’s throne room to a typological triptych of end-time worship. The Lamb in the middle at the “right hand of majesty” flanked by the Blessed Theotokos and The Baptizer.

   For as the Godhead is Trinity in Unity—a communion of love, so too the worshipping Church, the Bride, shares in community of The Body…The Object of Worship—the ever incarnate God/Man, the worshippers—Virgin Mother and Kinsman (a picture of you iconned), and the peace and love flowing from The Giver to the given. 

   Today is Gaudete, the Third Sunday of Advent. The rose candle lit to symbolize that even in this season of repentance you join with Paul, Mary and John in singing your Introit “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice!” [Php. 4. 4]

   To rejoice by oneself without being embraced by family is sectarian, dangerous, and bordering on heresy. There are no lone followers; there is only family, body, branches, sheepfold, and bride, of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.  Mary and John point to this because they point to Him! “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” “He must increase, but I must decrease,” “whatsoever He saith to you, do it.” [Jn. 1. 29, 2. 5b, 3.30]

   Your song was her song, the Magnificat and the historical Christ carol which are so fitting for this day: “Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria virgine, gaudete!” [Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born, (out) of the Virgin Mary, rejoice!”]

   And then there’s John.

   “…John had heard in the prison the works of Christ.” Excellent. His strong adamant faith increases during his trials, for “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” [Rom. 10. 17]  His ears were graced with the events his God Kinsman had been doing. His faith was first created by both the Word enfleshed—carried in Mary’s womb, and by her evangel greeting—Magnificat!  His faith was so strong that his father, Zacharias, at his own birth could sing “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest; for thou shalt go before the face of The Lord to prepare His ways’…and the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit…” [Luke 1. 76, 80]  Before that day at Jordan The Word spoke to John “the Word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.” [Lk. 3. 2b]

   Like you the Baptizer was a sinner. John needed and received the same Shepherd Savior as you all have. But, John did not lose his faith, and the events which Saint Matthew records are not part of a crisis of faith but simply a sermon preached by a pastor to his remaining tiny flock.  John had the Spirit prepare him all his life. Jesus said “among those that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist” [Mt. 11. 11a]

   We need not pull John down and sinfully delight that he too cracked under pressure, crumbled under brutal imprisonment, and thought that Jesus had abandoned him to Herod’s axe-man; NO!  What did you come to Augsburg to see, a booming, powerful, successful, modern American congregation? Behold, that abomination is found in theaters, stadiums, and corporate board rooms.  Does “old Adam” secretly hope John was a shaken reed?  John is a not a reed, and neither are you, he was a branch grafted by Blood into The Vine of Victory. 

   There is not one Biblical scholar, reformer, Patristic source, or exegete…before the age of higher criticism and rationalism…who ever said John had lost his faith and needed his two disciples to bring him back something…to bring him Jesus.

   John was preaching one of his short sermons to the two themselves who needed it.  They were doubting; they were weak; they wouldn’t leave their infatuation with John to put their faith in the Source of John.

   The God/Man called him and make him His messenger; he was. His preaching was that of Elias “repent and believe;” “bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance;” [Lk 3.8] “he that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none;” [11] and “do violence to no man, neither accuse anyone falsely.” [14]   John preached unvarnished straight 180 proof Law so that people could receive pure Gospel—forgiveness, life and salvation.

   “You two hangers-on, what you doing here…this jail-tomb will soon be empty, and I will not be here. My headless corpse will be with Him in paradise and He shall be my new and everlasting Head and Groom even as He is to be yours.  There can be no personality cults to once powerful and influential desert preachers; there is only The Kingdom of Heaven which is found only in the Body and Blood of the Nazarene Messias! Leave me and go see His signs and wonders which confirm His Words from High.  He restores sight, He heals cripples, He cleans diseased, He raises up dead, and He is the Good News which you need.”

   And blessed are you who are not offended by the scandal of the Cross, by the humility of the Holy + Washing of regeneration, and by the mystery of the Sacrament of Body and Blood given, shed, eaten and drunk.

In The Name of The Father and of The + Son and of The Holy Ghost

Adventide Midweek Thursday #2 [2014]: HOMILY

“THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING”

THE ADVENT OF THE KING & HIS KINGDOM

Christ’s Kingdom of Glory

Adventide Midweek 2: 11 December Anno + Domini 2014

Fr Jay Watson SSP

In The Name + of The King, Christ Jesus

   Myths about heaven run from childishly inane to damnably false. But heaven, even now, exists in the ever presence of the Lord.  To speculate about the details is wasteful of time and unanswerable by way of human reason.

   Only Scripture reveals what the hereafter is all about.  Scripture is God’s Body and Blood in paper and ink.  Christ the King is one with His word—He being The Word made Flesh.  The joys of this December’s Advent will be crowned with the Celebration of the Lord’s Nativity. The supernal joys and crescendos of the Final Advent are always preceded by the Law.  The coming Kingdom of Glory includes the judgment of the unrighteous.

   “There is none righteous no not one.” [Rom. 3.10] Only God is right. Fallen man is wrong.  Sinners are not “right in the spiritual head” or heart; are not “right” with themselves or their neighbors and are not “right” with the Lord.  And they sin all the time. You sin all the time.  Only God is righteous. Only the God/Man Jesus, Immanuel, is Righteous. 

   Jesus’ words about the great judgment and the coming of His Kingdom of Glory, are true and are to be heeded by Christians.  A sloppy and lazy Lutheran ethos has infested most of American and worldwide Lutheranism in the last 100 years or so.  Yes we are antinomians by nature—we don’t like the Law—the Law kills. But we are also against the idea that Jesus asks, expects, and tells us to sanctify our lives—our minds and bodies—that is, in our thoughts, words, and deeds.  This is not salvation and it is not for salvation. Jesus kept the Commandments and did all The Sanctifying, the making holy, in His Body and Blood suffering and death at the cross.  Jesus gives The perfect Sanctifying, the making of a Holy child and heir, a Saint, by washing you + in Him at the font.  Jesus does all the work of The Sanctifying you as a Royal Priest by filling your ears with Himself; with placing on your tongues in the Eucharist Himself!

    But the last century notwithstanding, every Lutheran theologian from Pieper and Walther back to Calov, Hunnius, Gerhard, Andreae, Chemnitz, Melanchthon, and Luther wrote about, assumed, and instructed their charges to lead holy lives and to work at sanctification…sanctification in the narrow sense of repentance and striving.  These Lutheran “fathers” so catechized, preached, and lived this way because that’s the way EVERY orthodox Christian churchman, theologian, and Father had taught for the prior 1,600 years.  It’s the way the Apostle taught. It’s the way all the Old Testament Prophets and Moses taught.  It’s what Jesus says.

   Lest we overdose on “cheap grace” and a self-indulgent, indifferent, and WRONG understanding of Justification, we are instructed by the Holy Ghost and Saint Paul.  If there’s anyone in the history of Christ’s people who believed and grasped being saved by Grace alone and not of the works of the Law it was Paul.  Paul knew why Jesus had found him, spared him, rescued him, redeemed him, justified him, and sanctified him…Grace pure Grace!  Pure love, mercy, and JESUS!  Paul was writing to fellow Christians in Corinth and elsewhere…in Kansas and Missouri.  Paul knew the hard-wired default position of all men, even sinner/saint Christians.  Paul writes: “know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things…I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” [1 Cor 9. 24-27]   If the Apostle knew he should, he must (not for Salvation, but because it’s what the Lord willed for him) run, strive for mastery, be temperate in all things, and keep his body of sin under subjection, how can your “new creation” [2 Cor. 5.17] wish to do anything less?  Paul exhorts you fellow Corinthians “wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me,” [1 Cor. 4.16]   and you fellow Philippians “brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”[Ph. 3.17]

   In Christ and by Christ you have your lamps filled to meet the arriving Groom, but you nonetheless need to daily “trim them.”  You have faith to receive your coming Advent King for He brings the Kingdom of Glory—the heavenly realms of salvific splendor.  Jesus says: “…many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of heaven.” [Mt. 8.11]  At the final judgment, the culling of the goats from you the true sheep, there will be no fear or apprehension. You will joyfully meet Him in the air at the final trump…triumphant.  But you’re here and now.  The first Advent, these last days, the final time of the Church, continues, and your Advent journey to the New Jerusalem and the ever Bethlehem marches on through desert, cross, and pain.  Take heed, pay attention, be on the alert. “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called…that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” [Eph. 4. 1ff]    Luther also exhorts you to daily drown the old Adam.

   These words of Paul, Martin, and Jesus, your Lord and God, are not meant to break delicate flowers or crush overburdened backs.  His Kingdom of Glory includes you because He has chosen you “I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands,” [Is 49.16] and “they [you] shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them [you] out of My hand,” [Jn.10.28] and “I kept them in Thy Name; those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost.” [Jn. 17.12]

   You don’t have to flap your arms to get to heaven. The angels will carry you as they carried poor Lazarus. You won’t tremble when you’re ushered into the Nuptial Hall of Heaven, then, but now, it’s only Holy Spirit prudent to “take heed, lest [you] fall” [1 Cor. 10.12]. 

   You’re on the ship; you’re safe in His arms.  But the embrace becomes consummated the way it’s destined at the final return of Christ.  The ships great banquet is yet to be served.  You have the foretaste in your daily, weekly, rations of Righteousness, and, you have duties aboard the ship; tasks, sanctifying disciplines.  Chafe not at this momentary chastening, these Christian chores, for they conform your body into His cruciform. He carries the yoke. He bears the burden.  He “comes to judge the nations, a terror to His foes, A Light of consolations and blessed Hope to those Who love the Lord’s appearing. O glorious Sun, now come, send forth Thy beams most cheering, and guide us safely home to the Kingdom of Glory.”

In The Name of The Father and of + The Son and of The Holy Ghost