A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on First Sunday in Advent 19 December 2021, by Rev Phyllis Wong. The scripture readings that day Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:39-55.
Opening prayer
Loving God,
May your word speak to us of your love. May the Holy Spirit transform us to love you and to love others as ourselves. May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable and pleasing to you Oh God. Amen!
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The gospel story today is talking about two women – Mary and Elizabeth. They were cousins (thought to be cousins). Both had experienced an unusual pregnancy. Elizabeth conceived a child in her old age and Mary was pregnant before marriage. We could imagine such unconventional and un-expected pregnancy brought to them fear, anxiety and shame.
Mary after the visit by angel Gabriel who informed her about her pregnancy to bear the child of God, she immediately started off her journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth.
This was an amazing encounter. The baby inside Elizabeth actively moved and she was filled with joy in the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth affirmed Mary in her pregnancy as she was bearing the child of the Lord. Elizabeth praised the Lord and assured Mary that she was blessed by God. Elizabeth had demonstrated strong solidarity with Mary. It’s after such strong acceptance and affirmation given by Elizabeth, Mary was greatly empowered. She then created the very beautiful and profound Mary’s song of praise.
What do we learn from the gospel story about our Advent theme – “Born anew….with Love” for this week, the last Sunday of Advent?
I would like to begin with this question.
Why did Mary visit Elizabeth? It was a tough journey as the place she went was hilly in Judea. By estimation, Mary may have to take at least three days to walk the 80-100 miles from Nazareth to Elizabeth’s place. The gospel account does not give us any explanation.
I have a reasonable guess. Elizabeth who was pregnant in her old age experienced something extra-ordinary as well. Mary might have thought that their similar experience enabled them to have better understanding from each other. Mary was desperate to find someone to talk to.
When Elizabeth met Mary, she immediately assured her what had happened to her was from God. (Luke 1:42 she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 1:45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.")
These are profound statements of love in that particular context when a young woman is facing such a huge challenge in her life. Love is to share solidarity with others who are struggling in life. Love is to offer acceptance to those are in a state of doubt, uncertainty and rejection. Elizabeth was a descendent of Aaron and wife of a priest Zechariah. Elizabeth was a woman of God and had much wisdom. The words coming from her mouth carried weight. That could be another reason for Mary to go to see her.
Before Mary received this love of assurance from Elizabeth, she had to make a choice and take an action. She decided to go visiting Elizabeth in a place quite far away from her home. It takes a few days’ walk to arrive her destination. It requires courage and determination.
When we open up to talk about our struggles and vulnerability, it is not easy and could be scary to some people. It is because you don’t know how people will react. If the response is bad, it will cause more harm than good. Therefore it is important to find the right person to talk and in the right time.
Having said that my main point I wish to share here is – love requires us to take risk and be brave to embrace our vulnerability. It requires actions. It is like what Mary has done. She reached out to seek help.
In a truly loving relationship we don’t have to hide our weakness and vulnerability. True love requires our openness to face our dark side.
I can fully understand to open up ourselves is not easy for people who have been hurt in relationships and have fear inside their heart. As Tony shared last week, he isolated himself for a while after experiencing a broken relationship. But his decision to stay close to God and never let go of God’s promise saved him.
It is very true it takes time to heal wounds. But we should never give up and trust that God will heal. It requires prayers to God and courageous actions. From the encounter of Elizabeth and Mary, we see Mary has been very brave to overcome her fear to go visiting Elizabeth and found assurance there that helped her to face the most critical moment in her life.
Sisters and brothers, if we wish to be healed, to face our dark side, to make changes and to receive the love from God, we need to be brave and to take action with determination. May God give us this strength and wisdom.
Self-love
When we talk about love, one aspect is very important – that is self-love.
The song of Mary has given us insight on this aspect of love.
She proclaimed -
“1:48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
1:49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
God’s radical love touched the heart of Mary. Through her own expression, Mary was able to affirm and acknowledge that she was the one blessed by God the Almighty and she was the chosen one to do the great thing. Although she was low God made her high. She was able to internalize what Elizabeth had told her and truly believed what she had heard from a human voice and the message from the angel.
Mary’s self-love and affirmation of who she was as God’s chosen servant and beloved daughter make it possible for her to raise the child of God, and to face a very challenging future. For her son was going to suffer and die for the sake of Israel and the world.
The love that God showed her was radical. Self love, self affirmation and self acceptance. They are all important aspects of love. When we are able to love ourselves, we are able to truly love others and love God.
Recently I read a post by a church member who shared that what can really bring him long lasting joy. It is self-love. Recently I had a reunion with some sisters in Christ who have been working together on gender justice. Many of them echoed the importance of self love. Self love is not selfish. If we don’t know how to love ourselves, we have limitations to truly love others. If we live out our being of love, even though we don’t do everything, our mere presence will shine that radiant love to others. It is like the sun and stars, the mountain and the sea, the trees and the flowers, their mere existence have brought goodness to the world and to all creatures.
Let us read the scripture again,
1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
She continued to say
1:43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?
1:44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.
With this declaration by Elizabeth, we see how Elizabeth was blessed by Mary’s visit as well. She was filled with great joy together with the baby inside her.
Love is to bless each other and to bring joy, peace and hope to others.
Mary’s song of praise assured us once again today, the God who is powerful to turn the world upside down will keep LOVE alive and God will help us to be born anew with hope, peace, joy and love until the time he comes.
Amen!
# posted by Kowloon Union Church : Sunday, December 19, 2021
