St George's Cathedral, Cape Town

A sermon preached by the Very Reverend Rowan Smith in the Cathedral Church of St George the Martyr on the 2nd Sunday in Advent, 7 December 2008

CALL TO REPENTANCE

"John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance" (Mk 1 v 4)

We have over many years looked upon the second Sunday in Advent as “Bible Study” and the Collect in both the present A.P.B as well as the S.A.P.B reflects that theme. However, our liturgical practice in terms of our preparation for the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ is thus interrupted and the Scripture readings are thus not consistent with the present Collect. In our Pew Leaflet you will find a prayer which reflects more closely the context of our readings, which is a call to repentance in preparation to our welcoming Jesus Christ.

The Synoptic Gospels see John the Baptist as the one who prepares the way, the herald, the forerunner – rather like Puss in Boots going ahead of his master. John the Baptist sees himself as sent by God to fulfil the prophesy of Isaiah and thus literally goes into the wilderness:

“ John the baptiser appeared in the wilderness proclaiming a baptism of repentance…”

The prophet Isaiah speaks to a people in exile, a people whose disobedience, trusting in false idols, led them away from God and now in tenderness God says:-

“ Comfort O Comfort my people, says your God…” (Isaiah 46 v 1)

Words which Handel's music expresses gently, yet with passion since God desires not our destruction but our salvation. John likewise reminds the people that God longs for their return and thus by repentance to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. But even John does not fully grasp that the one to whom he points comes not in power to overthrow but in humility to serve. That is why later, having pointed out Jesus as the One “…more powerful than l… ” he sends from prison to ask: “ Are you the one or are we to look for another…” (Mt 11 v 3)

The picture that the Jews had of Messiah was shared by John the Baptist also but for Jesus he, also quoting from Isaiah proclaimed:

“ The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor…” (luke 4 v 18)

To be open to receive this Messiah, the Anointed One, requires a complete conversion, a change of heart, a complete make over, it requires repentance. Whereas John understood that the coming of Christ would bring the destruction of sinners Jesus portrayed God loving even the sinner and that heaven exploded with joy over one repentant sinner. As the 7th century hymn writer put it:

“When earth was near its evening hour
thou didst in love's redeeming power,
like bridegroom from his chamber, come,
forth from a Virgin mothers' womb.” (AMR 45)

That experience of God's love reaching out to lift us out of our own sin, still finds many of us questioning, is this really the way, are we truly redeemed by love, which we can neither earn or deserve? God says yes and opens his arms wide to embrace you.

So much pain in our personal lives results from our fear of taking the risk required of us through repentance – let go of all our false securities, be done with our vain idols. Take the situation in Zimbabwe, where a spent political leader, refuses to let go of power and would see his country falling into despair and ruin rather than repent and step down from power. Look around the world and see how greed and lust drive those with economic power and what we see at present in the U.S. economy is the result of wanting to be a super power – a power above everyone else. Sadly, too even in our own Church the move towards an alternative to our Anglican Communion through GAFCON has less to do with fidelity to the Scriptures than with power over the 70 million Anglicans. And what of ourselves – are we able to repent of our failure to accept that God loves us and so truly love God and one another – to become as Christ Jesus, vessels of the love of God, longing for Jesus Christ to take full control of our lives?

“ Born thy people to deliver;
born a child and yet a king;
born to reign in us for ever;
now thy gracious kingdom bring.” (AMR 54)

Let us pray:
Lord I look to you, l long for you
Come, Lord, open my eyes to your presence.
Come, Lord, open my ears to your calling
Come, Lord, open my heart to your love
(David Adam)

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