1
SERMON P70 FOR DECEMBER 6, 2015
Ruth has shared with us one significant moment in our history as Canadians, one compelling moment for all who long for right relationship and for a just world to live in, one gripping moment for those of us who desire that the undeniable power in our lives will be the power of love.
No matter how we view Marc Lepin’s motives on that December 6th, we are left with issues to deal with and priorities to sort. We are left with a decision about how we are going to live and how we value one another. We are left with a simple question, but a huge question: what are we going to do in our own everyday that is going to give peace a chance?
There is no pretending when it comes to peace. There is no wiggle room when it comes to shalom, to right relationship, to honouring one another. We are either peace-makers, or we are not. For those of us who follow Jesus’ way, who call ourselves by his name, who are a community of faith shaped by his living example, for those of us who are Parkminster church, our mandate is to give peace a chance.
John the Baptist, the one who made way for Jesus and his peace-making life style, calls us to share in a dream of transformation and hope. John opens our eyes to see a vision of possibility for the world, for all the world, not just the privileged ones. John challenges us to face a new direction where barriers between people fall, and the way to safety and compassion and “enough” is made for us all. John urges us to make peace,
So the dream is no killings in a Paris concert hall or at aSan Bernardino work place Christmas party. The dream is an end to homelessness for 4 million Syrians fleeing violence. The dream is an end to child poverty. The dream is that 14 young women won’t die because they choose to be engineers and go to school to learn. The dream is that we won’t stumble over difference. The dream is that we can be honoured, respected for who we are. The dream is that it won’t matter if we are female or male, straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual. The dream is that it won’t matter if we are transgender and on a journey of change. The dream is that mountains of prejudice won’t inhibit our becoming our own true selves. The dream is that the shadowy valleys won’t make life an uphill climb into the light. The dream is peace. it is making peace for one another. The dream is being safe from the killing power of intolerance and fear.
Advent calls us to be peace-makers. And we have a choice, to participate in the coming of the realm of the holy, or not. Think about the choice about what you can contribute to the end of fear. And imagine our post-Montreal massacre world where every valley of despair could be lifted up, and every mountain of fear leveled, where the twisty roads to dignity could be made easy to access, and the rough places of intolerance smoothed out. You are invited to be peace-makers, to create opportunity as a holy way. Ready to give peace a chance?