Word (sermon)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word was in the beginning with God. All things were made through the Word, and without the Word was not anything made that was made. … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us … full of grace and truth. John 1:1…
ΕΝ ἀρχῇ - - in the beginning - - logos, Word.
I’m thinking of Diagon Alley, that scene in The Sorcerer’s Stone, the first book and movie, when young, innocent, new to power, naive Harry Potter stands in the yard behind the Leaky Caldron, staring at an ordinary old high brick wall, and goggles incredulous as Hagrid says Word and waves Motion, and the brick wall quickens, clicks to obedience, moves; bricks shift around and adjust precisely, repositioning to form an open gateway into a new creation.
No metaphor of the Divine is adequate, but metaphors and similes are what we have.
bə·rê·šheeṯ, in the beginning, Word, Song - - from The Chronicles of Narnia, I’m thinking of that early scene in The Magician’s Nephew - - caught in the cold, silent nothing of pitch black darkness, Polly and Digory suddenly hear sound, from infinite distance sound, a song, drawing closer, a clear voice: ASLAN singing Narnia into existence.
Stories, metaphor - - Heilsgeschichte, holy history - -
bə·rê·šheeṯ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God moved over the surface of the waters - -
way·yō·mer ’ĕ·lō·hîm yə·hî
and said God,“let there BE”
and there WAS - - it was SO
and all that God SAID - - WAS - - IS
Where logos Word is concept, intent,
speaker, speaking, what is spoken, the result - -
the thought, the will, the voice,
the sound spoken (even where there are no ears to hear but only obedience, even the obedience of Nought, of nothingness), the
explosive ignition of creative force, BANG
the rumbling motion of coming into being, of settling into place, and
like the ordered and reordering bricks in Harry Potter’s wall, the startling notion of it;
logos: the theological precept of originating even ex-nihilo, at the Word of Preexistent Being.
This is logos, Word, the Ordering Will that underlies creation, the universe, all that is:
In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God
and the Word WAS God.
The Word was in the beginning with and as God.
All things were made through the Word, and without the Word was not anything made that was made.
Gospel John proclaims - that that very logos the Word, the igniting of creation, became flesh and dwelt among us in and as Jesus, God, Christ, Eternal Preexistence, Authority, Being, Power, Presence, Intellect, Will, Force, Action, Love that stirred creation to its Becoming. Love.
This is an essence of logos the Word that Gospel John says came into the world as Jesus, full of Grace and Truth.
He whose Word cannot be broken
formed thee for his own abode.
Outside of pagan mythology the notion is incredible - - a mere human, a mortal, an earthling woman births the cosmic Son of Man sent by the Ancient of Days with glory and dominion to rule an everlasting kingdom, incredible
But this is what Gospel John proclaims and the Church teaches, preaches, we believe happened as shepherds watched over their flocks by night, not merely a wondrous birth, gloriously delivered, Messiah, Christ the Savior born to restore the throne of David - - but the very coming of the Son of Man - - all holy scripture fulfilled, a new beginning of salvation history. The Christian religion, our faith, is stories, because Word, Immanuel, is the closest we can get to our God. As Word is spoken, breathed and heard, nothing can come between us and God, nothing separates the speaking and the hearing, speaker and hearer, giver and receiver, where the gift is the giver himself, and the gift is logos, Word.
He came to His own, and His own received him not. But to all who received Him, YOU, if YOU receive him, if you accept him as you promise in Baptism, you set out to become what He is: chesed - - lovingkindness that quickens the relationship between God the Father and God the Son:
you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God.
you renounce the evil powers of this world that corrupt and destroy the creatures God loves.
you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God
you turn to Jesus the Word and accept him as your Savior.
you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord.
you promise to continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
you promise to persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
you promise to proclaim by word and especially example, the gospel of God in Jesus.
you promise to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself.
you promise to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being.
That means, dear people, no hating or slamming Others, GOT IT?
no slamming liberals, GOT IT?
no slamming conservatives, GOT IT?
no slamming Muslims, GOT IT?
no slamming gay people, GOT IT?
no slamming people on welfare, GOT IT?
no slamming ANYONE who is different from you, GOT IT?
Because what you are, what you have, your difference that makes you -- better in your eyes? - - is not a "blessing" as you thought - - but charge - - responsibility - - the Word of Manger and Cross, laid on you to proclaim and to carry into the world.
You did not know, you had no idea, you thought you were just joining a church - - you never imagined what you’ve gotten yourself into by receiving Him whose Word cannot be broken.
Jesus is as good as his Word, but you: you promised. Are you as good as your word?
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This unapologetic jumble was the likeness of a sermon on Christmas1B, Sunday, 20171231, Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, Panama City, Florida. The Rev Tom Weller. Gospel: the prologue to the Gospel according to John. Supporting text: Genesis 1:1f