Advent as a Way of Life

First Sunday of Advent (Year C)

1 Thessalonians 3.9-13; Luke 21.25-36

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 17:40)

 

Today we begin a new liturgical year with the start of our four-week journey through Advent. Our preparation for the coming of Christ. Since Advent ends with the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child at Christmas, we naturally tend to view Advent as the season of preparation for Christmas. Which it is. But Advent is about so much more than just preparing for Christmas. As we discuss every year, Advent is about preparing for the coming of Christ in multiple contexts. As we’ve already established, the coming of Christ at his birth in Bethlehem on Christmas. The other context is the coming of Christ at the end of the ages. What we refer to as the Second Coming. When it comes to our scripture readings for this season, it is actually not Christmas, but the anticipated Second Coming of Christ, which gets the most airtime during Advent. Out of the Gospel readings for each of the Sundays of Advent, only one actually deals with the anticipated birth of Jesus. Coming on the fourth Sunday of Advent, this year with the story of Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth, and the unborn John the Baptist leaping for joy in Elizabeth’s womb at the presence of the coming Lord.

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Being Subjects of Christ the King

Christ the King (Year B)

Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14; Revelation 1.4b-8; John 18.33-37

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 17:45)

 

The last Sunday of the liturgical year—that would be today—is designated as the Feast of Christ the King. We are accustomed to hearing Jesus Christ referred to in royal language. We hear him referred to as “Lord” on numerous occasions in Scripture. Shortly after his birth, the Magi referred to Jesus as “King of the Jews.” This same title is used mockingly at his trial before Pontius Pilate, as we heard in today’s Gospel. And then again at his crucifixion. We often refer to him as the Prince of Peace, particularly around Christmas time—a reference made by the prophet Isaiah to a future messianic king. And we sometimes refer to Jesus as the “King of Kings.” But what does such royal language mean, particularly in our own lives? Particularly in our own context that is decidedly non-, even anti-, monarchical.

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Birth Pangs

Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 28 (Year B)

Mark 13.1-8

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 21:25)

 

Some people think that the Bible is irrelevant. That it has nothing to say about where we are today. But truth be told, much of today’s Gospel reading could be ripped straight out the pages of the Long Beach Press-Telegram, the LA Times, or the headlines on the nightly news:

 

Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.” (Mk 13.5-8)

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Unbound

All Saints Sunday (Year B)

John 11.32-44

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 26:15)

 

Today’s Gospel reading, as we just heard, is about the raising of Lazarus. This is one of the significant stories in the Gospel according to John, containing some important teachings. Before we take a deep dive into this story, it would help to understand something about how John’s Gospel approaches Jesus’ teachings. When we think of Jesus teaching, we naturally think of parables. That was the primary means that Jesus used for instruction. But the parables are virtually all contained in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Not John. John uses a different approach to convey Jesus’ key teachings. As one commentator notes, “In John it’s as though Jesus shapes events around him into living, breathing parables, ‘signs’ through which larger realities can be glimpsed.”[1] Rather than call them miracles, John refers to these events as “signs.” John’s Gospel is organized around seven such “signs.” Events and encounters that reveal Jesus’ identity and mission in profound and striking ways. Think of these as road signs, pointing to bigger and deeper realities about who Jesus is. The first sign is the well-known story of Jesus changing water into wine at the wedding at Cana, serving as the introduction to his public ministry. And we go through until we hit number seven: the raising of Lazarus. The final sign before Jesus’ death and resurrection.

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