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December 21, 2008 sermon

ADVENT IV: The Threshold of LOVE
(II Samuel 7: 1-11, 16; Luke 1: 39-45; 47-55)

Reverend Minister Sally Harris

THRESHOLD = the place or point of beginning
= the level or point at which you start to experience something, or at which something starts to happen

Let us pray: Come O Holy One into our midst. Bless us that we may welcome the Christ who lives within and between us. May we have the courage, like Mary, to cross the threshold of love So our souls may be big with God. Amen

When I began this series, Through the Advent Door, I thought of crossing the threshold as going through the door into a sacred space of hope, peace, joy and love. But as I reflected on II Samuel I suddenly experienced crossing the threshold as a going out in to a yet unimaginable open-ended sacred space created not by our imaginations but by the heart of God.

I think it is love that motivates David to want to build something for God as he looks out of his newly built cedar castle and sees the ark of God merely sheltered in a tent. I think it is love that creates the immediate response of the prophet Nathan to say: 'Go, do all that you have in mind; for God is with you.'

And it is the love of God that reminds these powerful political and religious leaders that it is God who will appoint a place for God’s people and will plant them so that they may be disturbed no more. God will make possible sacred space that extends beyond anything we can imagine. “Step out of your limited ideas”, God says, “cross the threshold into a divine covenant which is not hinged to, or confined by, the political or religious structures we humans so love to build.”

This obscure text from II Samuels reveals a significant, crucial even pivotal vision for God’s people. There is a claim for God’s freedom in this text. A freedom that led this band of people through the wilderness, to the promised land and will continue to lead them out of exile. This is the covenant, the promise of love, that God extends to these would-be builders of brick and mortar.

For the Israelites and for us, this promised covenant is to be a continual source of inspiration and guidance; it defines who we are and what we are called to do and be. Covenant is also a promise that God was, is, and will be our companion, guiding us forward to new possibilities and adventures of faithful service. The God who knows and calls us has visions for our lives and our church and invites us to share creatively in God’s holy adventure. God’s faithfulness embraces the whole earth, calling us to be faithful to our world, to affirm our own call and provide for its realization. Despite the rise and fall of global and personal fortune the stream of divine inspiration and faithfulness – God’s love of the world- goes on without interruption. Searching for those willing to cross the threshold of love into the impossible….

Like the ongoing covenantal adventure of Mary’s unexpected encounter with the angelic presence. No doubt Mary knew of her nation’s traditions and story of being the “chosen people,” but I am sure she did not imagine that she would become a major player in her nation’s religious history and the emergence of a new world religion. The Annunciation narrative points to Mary’s unexpected yet life-transforming encounter with God and invites us to ponder with her the surprising places we may encounter as we cross the threshold of love. The God who brought forth Israel and the prophets also brought forth new life for young Mary.

It is a story that, each year, challenges us to become conscious members of God’s holy adventure. It is a challenge because naturally we want to cling to what we know, the ordinary life that pays the bills. Yet God keeps calling us to believe in this covenantal love and, surprisingly, the most unlikely people answer this call. We don’t know why this covenant was personally made with Mary of Nazareth. Was she the first young woman to be asked? Did the other young women of her community shrink from God’s novel vision for their lives and humanity? We don’t really know how this all worked or really what took place. What we do know, or can imagine, is that she said “yes” to an unexpected birthing amidst expected disapproval and doubt.

Can we dare to believe that like Mary we too are asked to share in the impossibility of God’s vision? Like Mary can we believe that “nothing is impossible for God”? Where can one go to share such crazy thoughts and visions? Perhaps that is why Mary ran with haste to find someone who would believe, with her, in the possibility of the impossible; someone who knew personally of God’s “quantum leaps”. Perhaps it was Mary’s own ponderings and self doubt that took her to Elizabeth. Whatever it was, in Elizabeth's embrace, Mary found immediate affirmation. There is no tentative acceptance, no careful questioning, no helpful sympathizing. With Elizabeth there is no doubt. Mary is wonderfully blessed. There is a reason to celebrate.

Can we be “Elizabeths” to the “Marys” in our lives? Elizabeth gave to Mary the one gift she needed most - unconditional love. Not shaming. Not questioning. Not gossiping. Not spreading rumors. No, Elizabeth chose love. And in receiving the gift of love Mary is given permission to sing. Her spirit can rejoice and she sings: "My soul magnifies God.” My soul proclaims God’s greatness. My soul is big with God. And it makes me feel as if from now on, I shall have no endings. What is happening to me is happening everywhere: the mighty are falling; and the humble ones, the lowly, are beginning to be lifted up." Elizabeth helped Mary live out her ‘yes’. A ‘yes’ that transformed the future of her nation’s faith and ours! Indeed, Mary’s “yes” still resounds and inspires us to embrace God’s unexpected and life-changing vision.

Yet I know how easy it is to turn away from Mary’s and Elizabeth’s witness – it was only a story; it was long ago, it doesn’t work like that anymore…. Yet we are here to bear witness to an alternate vision even though it may seem impossible; even though it is not the right time, and we are not ready. Even though we have other important things to do and places to be. Even though the burden seems too great to carry. Yet the promise of God, the truth of our sacred story is that once we say, "Here am I, let it be according to your way" the path will open before us. This ancient story reminds us to trust that even in this violent, unjust and despairing world, God's word of love is true, and this love will continue to be sung "from generation to generation."

May we dare to risk surprising encounters that can be life changing and community healing? In this season of hope, peace, joy and love may we discover that we are part of a greater stream of revelation; with Mary of Nazareth, Elizabeth of Judah and David and Nathan of the cedar castle, we share in God’s everlasting covenant even as it inspires and empowers us to cross the threshold of love. May it be so among us!

[resources: Kathleen Norris and Bruce Epperly)

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