Sermon Tone Analysis

Our Holy Father Sylvester, Pope of Rome (Our venerable and God-bearing Father, Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov

Title

From Nativity to Ministry

Outline

In a world gone wrong, life is always a battle

It is not that God’s people battle as the world does

Violence and force and destruction are not his way

It is that we must still battle to break free of vice, to fulfill our respective ministries, to make our lives a sacrifice to God

The battle does end, but it ends in a way at our death but more precisely “on that day” when we receive “the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing”

In other words, there is no retirement before the rest of death, our personal dormition, and no fear of the eschatological day if we remain faithful

That is what we see in John the Baptist

He had his ministry, calling people by the power of God to break free from vice (as defined by God) and to live in loyalty to God and his Messiah.

They promised this fidelity in baptism, just as we do now.

The difference is that John did not know who the Messiah was.

He was effective, not because of his oratorical skills, but because God had sent him and was with him

He lived what he preached.

He said he was “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” and he dressed in the appropriate habit - all the time.

He called for purity of life, and he lived as a Nazirite, eating a food that was always kosher, locusts, and drinking a drink that contained no grape product, mead.

He had the appropriate virtue of humility, for rather than let public acclaim go to his head he stated: “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.

I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

He is modest about his role; he points to the true king; and he has people awaiting the true promise, the inward presence of the Holy Spirit.

Nativity, brothers and sisters, points forward to John’s ministry, Jesus’ ministry and ours.

It points forward to preparing for and then living out Theophany as we give our full allegiance to the king who is revealed.

And this calling always has these three elements: turning from vices that hold us back from Jesus and wound our spirits, fulfilling our respective ministries, and sacrificing our lives for others and for those whom Jesus has given us to care for.

And this calling has one goal, which is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit to arrive at the great day of Christ’s appearing with the inner knowledge that we have faithfully followed him and will indeed receive his warm “well done, good and faithful servant.”

Readings

EPISTLE

2 Timothy 4:5–8

5 As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.

6 For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

GOSPEL

Mark 1:1–8

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2  As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who shall prepare your way;

3  the voice of one crying in the wilderness:

Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight—”

4  John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

5 And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather belt around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey.

7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.

8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Notes

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) (1-2-2021: Sunday before Theophany)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 2021 | THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD

SUNDAY BEFORE THEOPHANY

Bright Vestments

Matins Gospel John 20:11–18 (30th Sunday)

Epistle 2 Timothy 4:5–8

Gospel Mark 1:1–8

Gold