SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Advent Lessons and Carols
Conclusion of Deacon Rick Erickson’s Call as Cantor
December 4, 2022: 11:00 a.m.
Malachi 3: 1-4; Philippians 1:3-11; Isaiah 35: 1-10; Saint Luke 3:1-6; Saint Luke 1:39-55

A homily is, by definition, brief; a homily before hearing the readings allow the preacher an opportunity to help each of us , not just to hear ancient texts, but to find ourselves in them and, more importantly, find Christ with us in them. That is what I hope to do.

These readings are, first and foremost, words of Promise, God’s Promise, and we must listen for God’s Promise, for Christ for us and all people, in each.

As I ponder these, I find three kinds of people, among whom we can find ourselves.

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SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
December 4, 2022: 8:30 a.m.
Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-19; Saint Matthew 3:1-12

It’s all about the roots. That’s Isaiah, Matthew, and John the Baptizer’s nuanced corrective to our societal and churchly obsession with “the fruits;” most recently exemplified by our ongoing 2023 stewardship program: Deeply rooted. Joyfully revived. Faithfully bearing fruit. Our emphasis has been on the fruits – our time, talent, and treasure, the tangible results of our faith and tangible “proof” that we are faithfully living. Today, however, Isaiah, Matthew and John the Baptizer forcefully remind us: it’s all about the roots.

“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,” Isaiah proclaims, “and a branch shall grow out of his roots.”

Matthew’s John the Baptizer, puts this a bit more harshly: ”Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Each make it clear: It’s all about the roots. Good roots, good fruit.

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