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Pentecost 12 The Feast of Mary

Guest Speaker

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Scripture

Playlist

Today's Scriptures:

Isaiah 7.10-15

Psalm 132.6-10, 13-14

Galations 4.4-7

Luke 2.1-7

Pentecost 12- Aug.15/21

As we gather, we recognize that we live, work and plat in the traditional lands of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People.

We continue to commit ourselves to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building with our First Nations neighbours.

Welcome.

"Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them, says the Lord."

John 6.56

O come let us worship.

Opening Hymn:

Tell Out, My Soul

Copyright Protected. Unable to post lyrics.

Gathering:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

And also, with you.

Almighty God,

to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden.

Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect of the Day:

Almighty God,

You have broken the tyranny of sin and sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son.

Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that all people may know the glorious liberty of the children of God;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

The Proclamation of the Word

1st Reading:

Isaiah 7: 10-15

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 132

The Ark! We heard it was in Ephratah; * we found it in the fields of Jearim.

Let us go to God’s dwelling place; * let us fall upon our knees before his footstool.”

Arise, O Lord, into your resting-place, * you and the ark of your strength.

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; * let your faithful people sing with joy.

For your servant David’s sake, * do not turn away the face of your anointed.

If your children keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, * their children will sit upon your throne for evermore.”

For the Lord has chosen Zion, * he has desired her for his habitation

Gracious God,

You have taught us, in our Saviour Jesus Christ, that you are present wherever there is love, and that two or three who gather in his name are citizens of your eternal city.

Feed us with the bread of life, that we may grow to recognize, in every human heart, a sign of your presence, and an opportunity to serve you.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

2nd Reading:

Galatians: 4: 4-7

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel Processional:

My Soul Proclaims Your Glory, Lord

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The Lord be with you.

The Good News of Jesus according to

Luke 2: 1-7

Glory to you, Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Christ,

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Sermon: The Venerable Brian Evans

May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts be ever acceptable to you, O Lord. Amen.

Isaiah 7:10-15

The kings of Syria and Israel are bent on conquering Jerusalem and installing a puppet king on Judah’s throne—one not descended from David. Speaking through Isaiah, God has told Ahaz, King of Judah, to trust in God rather than in human counsel. If Ahaz stands firm in faith, the conquest will fail.

Galatians 4:4-7

Paul has written that, before Christ came, we were like an orphaned heir to an estate—of minor age, unable to speak, or to act, on our own behalf.

Luke 2:1-7

The prophet Micah prophesied that from Bethlehem would “come forth” for God “one who is to rule Israel”, either descended from David or from God. He will be like a shepherd, feeding his flock with God’s help, and in his majesty. He will protect the people and bring them peace.

WHY A CENSUS?

Reading this Gospel Lesson this day, we are certainly aware of this business of being called to take our Census, and to be accounted for.

Having a few friends who have worked on this most recent Census, I am well aware of the question. Why is the government doing a census? Why do I have to fill this out? Who said this is the law?

These Census Workers have many stories to tell, trust me. At the same time, their position is not unlike that of the parish priest, and the confidentiality of the confessional.

I am sure there are earlier records of census-taking.

For us today, we often think of this record of calling everyone home, to be accounted for, as the very first time a census was taken.

Luke’s account is very clear though: “This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.”

What I do find interesting is, like today, it is the law, everyone had to report in.

At the same time, we should be thankful we did not all have to travel, and line up in front of the Provincial Legislature. As Islanders, this may not have been so bad, but what about making everyone cross the strait to report in? In fact, this time around, if you were inclined to do so, you could do it all on line in about 5 minutes. I know, unless you received the LONG form!

Luke’s account of this moment in history is interesting for a number of reasons.

Most important though, Luke is the only one who places the birth narrative in the context of history.

First there is the distance travelled. Mary and Joseph likely travelled about 90 miles. The question may be, so when did they leave home? How long were they on the road?

There is also the political context.

Of interest, on Sunday evening this past week, Flo and I happened across a CNN—no, it was not fake news—documentary on Laurence of Arabia.

The time and circumstances were of a different era, at the same time, the details and political sense of power and authority have many parallels. The political factions remained the same, as the First World War waged on.

At the time of Luke giving his account of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the audience would have been predominately Greek, Palestine was under Roman rule; Caesar Augustus was the emperor in charge.

Alongside of this, the Palestinian people of the day lived in great fear of the Roman Empire. The Roman rulers were often seen as on a pedestal, not unlike a god.

In contrast to this power and authority, a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, is placed in their midst.

Before going down the baby road, let us backtrack to this whole ideal of a census.

This census was not just about counting heads and collecting taxes. Possibly the greater reason may have been to build up their military forces – conscription.

(To this day, even in a democracy, such as we appreciate here in Canada, there are those who are sceptical about the government’s taking a census.)

The rest of the birth narrative takes place as was foretold by the prophets: Joseph and Mary leave their hometown and make the long journey to Bethlehem. They did not have a choice. They had to go, there was no choice—Baby on the way, or not.

There are those who would say, when it is God’s will, we are not guaranteed a pleasant journey. I am not sure, today, we would go this far. At the same time, I am also aware of just how great this truth is.

Mixed in with the very practical custom of wrapping a baby in swaddling clothes, and being nestled in a protective enclosure, I also believe we can establish some metaphors in our midst.

Back to this image of the powerful Roman authorities in contrast to a small new born child. I believe, there is a sense of this image of Jesus’ being wrapped tightly in bands of cloth, that says something significant of the place he would hold in history.

“For unto us this a day, in the town of David, a Saviour has been born, he is Christ the Lord.”

Think of how precious this news was for the world!

Think of how important it was, to ensure that Christ would grow into adulthood.

Reflecting also on the image of his being placed in a manger carved out of stone. Once again, a strong fortress.

Not only is the infant Jesus protected, in this sense, of a place of security; Jesus will live to be a strong fortress.

Many hymns have been written with such feelings of God’s protecting us, as if we are living within God’s protection.

One such hymn is “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

Of interest, when I went to our Common Praise hymn book, I discovered this hymn is sandwiched between “O Christ, the Great, Foundation, and "The Church’s One Foundation”; and immediately after “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, we have “How Firm a Foundation.”

Interesting to myself was, also, the reference of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” being the Battle Hymn of the Reformation.

This hymn is a song to sing when you're fighting and struggling in faith, and in life—in this world with all kinds of dangers with all kinds of trouble—running interference to God.

In the sense of “Why a Census?”, we have many who would question, “Why such an emphasis on Mary the mother of Jesus.?”

For as Christians, I believe, the jury has already come to a verdict: We need to remember the gift Mary gave to the world.

As Jesus was protected from the authorities of the day—symbolized in being wrapped in swaddling clothes, and placed in rock solid manger—we have been placed under the protection of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

That census, called for by Caesar Augustus, provided the avenue for Jesus’ birth to take place as told by the prophets of old.

As the last verse of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” tells us:

“The Word of God will not be slow while demon hordes surround us,

For even if distress should take all we posses,

And those who mean us ill should ravage, wreck or kill,

God’s kingdom is immortal.”

Why a census?

Why do we keep The Feast of Mary?

It just may be, so we will not forget to sing in thanksgiving: “My soul doth magnify the Lord,/ and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

As we are reminded in Galatians, today, we are no longer orphaned, because Mary said “Yes”, and that first census of Caesar Augustus confirmed this moment in history for us.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

The Apostles Creed:

Let us confess the faith of our baptism, as we say:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

On this day, let us implore God’s blessings and protection, assured of Mary’s intercession. Let us invoke the Savior’s name after each petition, saying: “Jesus, Son of Mary, hear us!”

We pray to be blessed with a love for God’s word. May our knowledge of sacred scripture guide us in the ways of Christ.