Peace

Date: December 4, 2011

Liturgical Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent

RCL Scripture: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Isaiah 40:1-11; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8

Sermon Title: Peace

Knox Presbyterian [audio:https://wordsfromthemiddle.ca/wp-content/uploads/111204_-_Knox.mp3|titles=Peace]

St. Mark’s Presbyterian [audio:https://wordsfromthemiddle.ca/wp-content/uploads/111204_-_St_Marks.mp3|titles=Peace]

I am hoping that no one finds this disturbing or anything like that but I found this week’s top very difficult to grapple with. It isn’t that I don’t like the notion of peace. Nor is it that I have no idea what peace is, or might be. The problem is, [over share alert] that it is so difficult for me to achieve. I hasten to add that I don’t think I am unique in this, I suspect that most of us find peace difficult to achieve . . . at least on a regular basis. In this busy season, I may be more at peace than some but it would be at least disingenuous to suggest that I am “at peace” in any ultimate sense.

Fortunately for me, and I hope for you also, one of the most significant insights I have ever been given about preaching* is that it is not necessary, and perhaps not even possible, to have achieved everything that you preach about.

So, if you are so inclined, let me know how you pursue peace during the run up to Christmas and all the chaos that can create.

Blessings,

Barry

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*the most significant insight, as noted more than once, is that preaching is NOT about novelty but about truth.