"Hail Mary, Full of Grace"
A sermon preached on the Third Sunday of Advent on Sunday, December 16 at Edgemont Chrsitian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. The sermon is based on Luke 1:47-55.
Perhaps some of you have noticed that my sermons on Sundays have been derived from the Lectionary’s Old Testament readings from the Prophet Isaiah. And on Thursday evenings I have been focusing on the Lectionary’s Gospel Readings for the Sundays in Advent. However, today, I am taking a different approach and will be preaching from one of the Lectionary’s Gospel Readings for today and save the reading from Isaiah for Thursday evening.
Without a doubt, nothing can set the mood quite the way music can or even does. No wonder music plays such an important factor in our worship services. But whether the occasion be a romantic one, or a joyous one or even a somber one, music plays an integral part in enhancing and setting the mood. In fact, nothing gets us more in the Christmas spirit than listening to those wonderful Christmas carols and hymns. I have been listening to Christmas music faithfully - in the house, in the car, even here at the church during the week, since the season of Advent began. And perhaps that’s why the Church encourages us, on this Third Sunday of Advent, also known as the Sunday of Joy to focus on Mary’s song or, as it is better known, the Magnificat, which is a Latin word coming from Mary’s words in verse 46; "My soul magnifies the Lord!" Certainly, through these words from our Gospel Lesson this morning, one can feel the joy and the excitement, the wonder and anticipation, along with the fear and uncertainty that Mary must have felt.
Mary’s song declares that God is with us in this life. In fact, Mary is the sign saying that our faith is not a religion of dos and don'ts, empty ceremonies or liturgies; rather, our faith is about revelation. Mary keeps us connected with the human and the divine.
Perhaps some of you may remember the movie, which was a spin off from the popular television show; Mission: Impossible. In the movie version, which featured Tom Cruise, a spy, is given an assignment so difficult that it is considered nearly impossible to accomplish but, of course, he succeeds. Now, we viewers never doubted the success of the "impossible mission" on the big screen. However, in real life we have great difficulty believing the impossible, don’t we? But we are not alone in this difficulty of believing the impossible. In fact, many of the greatest prophets and disciples had difficulty envisioning the impossible visions of God. And we are no different. Perhaps that’s why we often pray along with the disciples; "Lord, increase our faith."
And so it was with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Sure, she may have been the "favored one" of God but she was not much different from any of us. She couldn’t fully envision what all this promise from God meant or entailed.
The response of the Christian church to Mary has been quite varied. For some she is highly venerated and exalted. Although she is not worshiped which is a misconception. And for others, she is greatly ignored. And because of both extremes, the example of true faith that Mary demonstrated and possessed has sadly been missed by so many in the Church today. The story is told that when Dean William, the late "gloomy dean" of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, died and was ushered into the presence of God, Jesus came from God’s right hand and said; "Ah, Mr. Dean, welcome to heaven; I know you have met my Father, but I don’t believe you have met my Mother." Who is this woman, we might ask, and why do some make such a fuss over her?
We most not forget Mary’s example of faith. P. T. Forsythe, decades ago in his book on creative theology said that; "faith is not something that we process. [Rather] faith possesses us." And in many ways that is true. That’s why we remember Mary. Her song declares the grace of God that came to her, that embraced and possessed her. Now, true, she had to respond to that grace and embody it, which she does as expressed in her song. Mary encourages us to say "yes" to God, to respond to God, to embody God.
Peter Gomes writes; "Mary’s song declares that God’s work gets done when ordinary people hear God’s voice and obey. She sang; 'God has regarded the low estate of God's handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth, all generations will call me blessed for God has done mighty things for me.' For many Christians we would rather focus on the strong and powerful biblical characters and personalities as our model and example of faith, but Mary’s strength was quiet and humble, and for this reason she has often been ignored. Winston Churchill once said; 'Modesty is for those who need it.' Mary was modest in the face of this greeting, for she knew herself unlikely in her own right to be worthy of such a telegram from the Holy God!"
Mary may have been quiet, but her faith was indeed strong and powerful. How often we forget Mary’s dilemma. Mary has so much to teach us about real faith and hope. When we see her so beautifully portrayed in Christmas pageants, on Christmas cards and in Nativity scenes, she looks so serene and lovely, and the whole matters appears to be so simple and easy to bear. But think realistically about her lot for a moment. Consider what Mary went through. It must have been incredibly difficult; the gossip, the pointing fingers, the accusations, the raised eyebrows, the questions and criticism. Not to mention the family pressures, the crude jokes, the cruel laughter, the poverty, the heavy taxes and, don’t forget, the long hard journey mandated at a time when an expectant mother should have been bedridden. And then, there was the birth in that cavern or stable in Bethlehem, with no doctor, no midwife, no medicine or anesthetic - only a profound faith and hope in a God who promised through her would come the Messiah! Mary was just a teenager, probably no older than 13 or 14 years old. What a strong woman indeed! What a courageous and faithful woman! Indeed, she is called "blessed". "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus," goes the ancient Church’s prayer.
I think it is interesting that in the preceding story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Luke tells of that couple’s religious virtue, but we have none of that here. Nothing is said of Mary’s faith or character. Nor do we find an explanation as to why God might have chosen her. And that is, of course, the point; God chooses because God chooses. Mary is not chosen because she deserves favor, just as none of us deserve God’s favor or blessing but rather, Mary is favored because she was chosen. Raymond Brown says that Mary’s response qualifies her as Jesus’ first disciples. You know, I like that!
As i said; true faith is not about words or laws or even liturgies, it's about revelation. God revealing God's self to us - God's love and grace, mercy and compassion, through Christ Jesus, and it's about us responding to God. And so, God’s Spirit has come to us and proclaimed that we too are favored, blessed of God; for we are God’s chosen people, we are God’s saints. For you and I possess and embody the very Spirit of God. Therefore, may we proclaim, along with Mary when the angel announced to her that in her womb was the very Son of God; "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." That is the kind of response God is looking for and that is the kind of response that we should have when we realize that we embody the very Spirit of Christ and we must become the incarnations of Christ.
Without a doubt, nothing can set the mood quite the way music can or even does. No wonder music plays such an important factor in our worship services. But whether the occasion be a romantic one, or a joyous one or even a somber one, music plays an integral part in enhancing and setting the mood. In fact, nothing gets us more in the Christmas spirit than listening to those wonderful Christmas carols and hymns. I have been listening to Christmas music faithfully - in the house, in the car, even here at the church during the week, since the season of Advent began. And perhaps that’s why the Church encourages us, on this Third Sunday of Advent, also known as the Sunday of Joy to focus on Mary’s song or, as it is better known, the Magnificat, which is a Latin word coming from Mary’s words in verse 46; "My soul magnifies the Lord!" Certainly, through these words from our Gospel Lesson this morning, one can feel the joy and the excitement, the wonder and anticipation, along with the fear and uncertainty that Mary must have felt.
Mary’s song declares that God is with us in this life. In fact, Mary is the sign saying that our faith is not a religion of dos and don'ts, empty ceremonies or liturgies; rather, our faith is about revelation. Mary keeps us connected with the human and the divine.
Perhaps some of you may remember the movie, which was a spin off from the popular television show; Mission: Impossible. In the movie version, which featured Tom Cruise, a spy, is given an assignment so difficult that it is considered nearly impossible to accomplish but, of course, he succeeds. Now, we viewers never doubted the success of the "impossible mission" on the big screen. However, in real life we have great difficulty believing the impossible, don’t we? But we are not alone in this difficulty of believing the impossible. In fact, many of the greatest prophets and disciples had difficulty envisioning the impossible visions of God. And we are no different. Perhaps that’s why we often pray along with the disciples; "Lord, increase our faith."
And so it was with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Sure, she may have been the "favored one" of God but she was not much different from any of us. She couldn’t fully envision what all this promise from God meant or entailed.
The response of the Christian church to Mary has been quite varied. For some she is highly venerated and exalted. Although she is not worshiped which is a misconception. And for others, she is greatly ignored. And because of both extremes, the example of true faith that Mary demonstrated and possessed has sadly been missed by so many in the Church today. The story is told that when Dean William, the late "gloomy dean" of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, died and was ushered into the presence of God, Jesus came from God’s right hand and said; "Ah, Mr. Dean, welcome to heaven; I know you have met my Father, but I don’t believe you have met my Mother." Who is this woman, we might ask, and why do some make such a fuss over her?
We most not forget Mary’s example of faith. P. T. Forsythe, decades ago in his book on creative theology said that; "faith is not something that we process. [Rather] faith possesses us." And in many ways that is true. That’s why we remember Mary. Her song declares the grace of God that came to her, that embraced and possessed her. Now, true, she had to respond to that grace and embody it, which she does as expressed in her song. Mary encourages us to say "yes" to God, to respond to God, to embody God.
Peter Gomes writes; "Mary’s song declares that God’s work gets done when ordinary people hear God’s voice and obey. She sang; 'God has regarded the low estate of God's handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth, all generations will call me blessed for God has done mighty things for me.' For many Christians we would rather focus on the strong and powerful biblical characters and personalities as our model and example of faith, but Mary’s strength was quiet and humble, and for this reason she has often been ignored. Winston Churchill once said; 'Modesty is for those who need it.' Mary was modest in the face of this greeting, for she knew herself unlikely in her own right to be worthy of such a telegram from the Holy God!"
Mary may have been quiet, but her faith was indeed strong and powerful. How often we forget Mary’s dilemma. Mary has so much to teach us about real faith and hope. When we see her so beautifully portrayed in Christmas pageants, on Christmas cards and in Nativity scenes, she looks so serene and lovely, and the whole matters appears to be so simple and easy to bear. But think realistically about her lot for a moment. Consider what Mary went through. It must have been incredibly difficult; the gossip, the pointing fingers, the accusations, the raised eyebrows, the questions and criticism. Not to mention the family pressures, the crude jokes, the cruel laughter, the poverty, the heavy taxes and, don’t forget, the long hard journey mandated at a time when an expectant mother should have been bedridden. And then, there was the birth in that cavern or stable in Bethlehem, with no doctor, no midwife, no medicine or anesthetic - only a profound faith and hope in a God who promised through her would come the Messiah! Mary was just a teenager, probably no older than 13 or 14 years old. What a strong woman indeed! What a courageous and faithful woman! Indeed, she is called "blessed". "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus," goes the ancient Church’s prayer.
I think it is interesting that in the preceding story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Luke tells of that couple’s religious virtue, but we have none of that here. Nothing is said of Mary’s faith or character. Nor do we find an explanation as to why God might have chosen her. And that is, of course, the point; God chooses because God chooses. Mary is not chosen because she deserves favor, just as none of us deserve God’s favor or blessing but rather, Mary is favored because she was chosen. Raymond Brown says that Mary’s response qualifies her as Jesus’ first disciples. You know, I like that!
As i said; true faith is not about words or laws or even liturgies, it's about revelation. God revealing God's self to us - God's love and grace, mercy and compassion, through Christ Jesus, and it's about us responding to God. And so, God’s Spirit has come to us and proclaimed that we too are favored, blessed of God; for we are God’s chosen people, we are God’s saints. For you and I possess and embody the very Spirit of God. Therefore, may we proclaim, along with Mary when the angel announced to her that in her womb was the very Son of God; "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." That is the kind of response God is looking for and that is the kind of response that we should have when we realize that we embody the very Spirit of Christ and we must become the incarnations of Christ.
posted by Pastor Christopher @ 4:48 PM
<< Home