A Voice Cries Out - Mark 1: 1-18 - Advent 2B

A Voice Cries Out

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon Mark 1: 1- 18, Psalm 85, Isaiah 40: 1-11

Opening prayer

Being sick last week made it a bit difficult to “wake up.” Yet here in week 2 of Advent  “A voice cries out” or is it, “a voice cries out!” 

So we have another opportunity to “wake up!” Why does this voice cry out ?

The familiar words of Isaiah bring us closer to Christmas celebration and in midst of Hanukkah today. 

The words of baptizer brings us closer to the kingdom but how. What does John say to us today as we prepare for the coming and how we prepare for God in our midsts?

John proclaims a baptism of repentance and of forgiveness of sins. For you who have walked in darkness and were lost, this is for you!

Yes, Advent is a new beginning for us as we start the new church year, but also as we prepare our hearts and minds for what?  What exactly are you preparing for?  What do you need that you need this repentance and this forgiveness?

We know we cannot do this existence, this life, alone. We know that every time we think we have all the answers, that is when God will remind us that is not quite the case.

Yet John comes to us with this thing called baptism - waters that cleans not just the dirt from our hands but waters that invite the spirit into our hearts:  A soulful cleansing. 

This presence to come; this spirit brings not just a repentance but restoration. Jesus comes to us as the living presence to pour out for us something so rich and so pure that John does not believe himself to be worthy to tie the sandals. 

That my Beloved is the essence and the Good News of Jesus Christ - Here is your God - now in the presence of Jesus. 

There is someone in the back who says why should I care? I have to go to work, and I am seeing prices rise before me which makes my life hard. Why do I have to se people complaining all the time …?

Good question! Why do we care? Why do we care what John is doing or what Jesus says when all of those things are happening and we feel those things in our lives today? 

For we are reminded in this passage of the exile of Israel, but also our own exile and our trials for Jerusalem has “served her term…” You and I have went through many of these in our own journeys where we felt like our selves were part of a diaspora, lost and under tyranny of evil. 

Doesn’t that sound like our current politics? Where people cant even approach the subject with civility out of a deep fear of being mocked and ridiculed for speaking up against a potential dawn of authoritarianism and destruction of democratic systems. Ridiculed for having compassion for neighbors in need - for those looking for a fair shake, for recognition of historical neglect and violence and for those looking for answers from a broken system.

We may seek the answers, and some will fein an attempt with earnest but not tell us the cost of their answers is the very soul of our country. We need to look beyond our own misery and our own egos to look with the eyes of hope that John brings to us: hope in the God of love and grace and yes forgiveness. There, more than any political leaning, brings peace.

Thus we, through our baptism, can cleanse our souls of the miseries, the questions, the pains and the deceptions. We can witness and believe in the life that is given - not just for you and I - but all those around us. We can look with hope . 

Why because God! That Beloved is why a voice cries out.

We can break free of all that is holding us back and deceiving. We can look up and see a light that draws us close and works our hearts not to fear but to grow and to share love.

Prepare your hearts not just for today, not just for Christmas, not just for presents under the tree. Prepare your hearts and minds for hope - true hope and let that hope fill you and walk with you with peace - the hope and peace of Advent.

Remember to not leave it in the pews this morning but to take it with you to brunch, to your neighborhoods, and to share with those around you this hope.  

So yes we have inflation, we have wars in our world, and we have people with real concerns. That you have a decent job. That you have that ability to care for your family and that you can extend empathy are also gifts that we can share.

Take a breath for a moment and see all the gifts you have, be thankful. Look with the hope of John, the hope of your baptism, the hope of Christ and find peace this Advent. 

Let that peace be with you through out your life and help you see beyond - to see God in your life this day, this hour.

“The Lord will give what is good and our land will yield its increase.” (Ps 85:12

That my Beloved is why the voice cries out.  That Beloved is…

Thanks be to God