HOMILY – 3^RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

ST. ANTHONY CHURCH AND FURMAN UNIVERSITY

DECEMBER 13, 2009 – 8, 10, 12 NOON & 7PM (LATE)

May the progress of the closeness of the Lord, give us His peace,

and cause us to REJOICE!

The judgment has been removed, the peace of God will guide you, and the pursuit of the 3 P’s.

REJOICE! The judgment has been removed. The Prophet Zephania speaks of a coming wrath that was unexpectedly avoided. He speaks about how God decided to reconcile the hearts of His people.

It was undeserved mercy and favor, what we call Grace – freely given, unmerited, favor. While I can’t tell, or expect myself to know, if and when God might be merciful to us, occasion to occasion, I can tell you that God issues this call to holiness by example. As God is granting pardons, mercies, lifting judgment, so ought we. Treat as we are treated. Rejoice! The judgment is removed. Now remove some of your own.

REJOICE! The peace of God will guide you. Paul writing to the Philippians asks them to drop all gloom. Be RELEASED of any fear or anxiety. The peace of God will guide you. The Lord is near.

Nice, really nice. But easier said than done. Is it easy to say to the single parent getting lots of grief from the children? Easy to say to the mourner? Easy to say to one who has been without work. Easy to say to the one on the brink of temptation to do something awful. Rejoice? Can I just make it to tomorrow? The peace of God will guide me?

How can the peace of God guide me in these times?

When I let it. Dag nab it, when I LET IT. Who has the power these days? Me and my gloomy outlook? That is the opposite of REJOICE. The opposite of rejoice is the hard road of pursuing power, property and pleasure. It just never measures up, never satisfies.

But letting God guide me to peace by receiving His love and sharing it, now that is real peace. It is joy because we can REJOICE doing that - like taking a day off to bring people gifts of recognition, simple signs that we appreciate them.

Today a letter from Jesus to you is in your bulletin. Read and rejoice.

Let the peace of God guide you instead of some bogus, ridiculous, empty, temporary pleasure. Aren’t tired of going after it all the time?

The peace of God is so wonderful it surpasses all understanding. Rejoice!

REJOICE! Pursuing the 3 P’s. When John announced the Messiah was here, they all asked, WOW! What should we do? Even the tax collectors and soldiers asked what they should do. Ahhhhh! He is here? What do we do? John answered.

Stop seeking power, property and pleasure. Stop the self interest.

Share, be fair, don’t overlord. Don’t nag, cheat, keep for yourself.

Can you imagine what it would take for people to change like that?

It takes conviction that Jesus is here. God with us. That is what these 4 weeks are for. We sweep the house, make a great place for Him to dwell, and get to those things that would have Him recognize us when He comes.

REJOICE!! Shout for JOY! SING OUT! Be glad! Exult.

For God has changed everything.

You are now cleansed, freed, and given confidence that God is choosing you to be with Him. But things go a certain way with Him. You down with that? You want what God wants? You in? Can you see His way?

If yes, you’re done and doing it. If maybe, come and serve. If no, God will help you with the construction project if you look to Him for help.

I can’t tell you to REJOICE really. I can give you the truth.

Knowing and believing how blest you are, it’ll be hard not to REJOICE!

But even the REJOICING is not just for you. Lead the crowd into the presence of God REJOICING and He will come. BAM! He’ll come.