sermon excerpts: "Dare to Rejoice"

Looking at the situation in Jerusalem, the holy city, the house of peace, for which Isaiah offered great hope to its returning citizens, we see many parties involved in an ownership battle where no one can recognize the story and history of the other side. Instead of acting with revenge or self-interest, what if we took to heart the meaning of this Sunday, joy? What if we dared to rejoice, as the Latin gaudete urges us. We live in a world of hurt, harm and accidents. We know we cannot rejoice all day every day. Maybe not for ourselves, but could we not be happy for others in their time of celebration?

Dare to rejoice. Gaudete. In spite of all they had been through, the people dare to rejoice. They try to find some good in what has happened. They try to see the bright side, the positive and possible. The image of planting is quite prominent in Isaiah. His message spoke of oaks being planted, of sprouts breaking forth. He recalls the living image of re-growth and cycle of renewal. It is quite distant for us in the time of snow and ice and cold. The evergreen and poinsettia are the only flashes of natural colour in a white-coated world.

And like the thought of blooming buds for us in this winter time is like the Hebrew people thinking of prosperity and dominance in a time of vulnerability and despair, looking at the rubble of their memories: the Temple, the grand city, the fields, the vineyards, degraded beyond recognition.

There is so much that we do not know, or are unfamiliar with when we look at the Bible and try to apply the lessons that are there to our lives. Because we don’t have the full understanding or experience of what it means to do and say and live the things that are written. They lived a society built on honour, shame, slavery, tribal warfare, and ritual purifications. We live in a world of microwave dinners, satellite radio and Oprah’s book club.

In spite of the cultural and time differences, we know how discouraging and depressing the world is. For us it’s the senselessness of the kidnapping of Christian Peacemaker Team members, heartbreak for the innocent victims of suicide bombings, drunk driving accidents, cancer and abuse. For Isaiah’s people it was exile, leprosy, mothers and babies dying in childbirth, droughts and famine.

In light of this, choosing to rejoice can seem rather artificial and forced. Dare we break out of our negative shells and find the wonder and grace that the salvation of the earth has come in the form of a child? Is not every child a cause for celebration?

We do know that Isaiah is speaking to a dispirited, discouraged, down hearted people. He offers them a promise and hope that despite all the setbacks they have faced, they will get through it. Stick with it, keep at it, and they will prevail. Dare to rejoice, to find something worth celebrating in the midst of their turmoil and trouble. There will be a return to glory, when all the people around will know that God’s favour is with the people.

That’s the part that I can offer you. In spite of the gloomy picture we face, rising costs, lack of youth and children, a world that is pushing faith aside, we will get through this. If we stick with it, keep at it, we will prevail. Exactly what form our future ministry will take is unknown, but what is known is that God’s favour is with us. We will rebuild, replant and spring forth anew. That is reason enough to rejoice.