Kahu's Manao

Keawala‘i Congregational Church
United Church of Christ (USA)

Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 13, 2009

The Rev. Kealahou C. Alika

“Look Forward”
Philippians 4:4-7 & Luke 3:7-18

“Ua ao ka pō, ua eo ka pō i ke ao.” “Tis the dawning, darkness is overcome by daylight.” I am not certain of the origins of this ‘ōlelo no‘eau or wisdom saying from our kūpuna or Hawaiian ancestors, but it makes sense both in its literal and poetic interpretation.

As we continue our journey through this season of Advent in anticipation of the birth of Jesus, it is not difficult for us to look forward to Christmas day and to say: “Ua ao ka pō, ua eo ka pō i ke ao.” It is the dawning – the birth of the One who is to become the Light of the World. The darkness of the world will be overcome by this light.

But our reading from The Gospel According to Luke will not have us be so quick in getting to Bethlehem and the baby in the manger without hearing John the Baptizer’s call to repentance. (Feasting on the Word, Year C, Volume 1, Bartlett & Taylor, Westminster/John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 2009, page 69) Our preparation for Christmas day calls us to repent, that is to turn away from what may be diminishing our relationship with God and neighbor and to turn back and focus on the love of God and the love and care of neighbor.

John chastises and challenges those who come to him to be baptized. John does all of this because he knows that it is a time to prepare for Christ’s coming. Worried about the demands John makes on them, the people began to wonder, “What should we do?”

John responds in ways that makes it clear he is aware of the vocations and values of those who ask the question, and his answers all involved acts of compassion, justice and mercy. (Ibid., page 71) To the crowds who come to him, John says if you have more than you need whether it is food or clothing then share with others who have neither. To the tax collectors and soldiers he said keep no more than you need, be fair, and treat others with care and be honest.

John’s challenge to the crowds, tax collectors and soldiers may have been difficult for them to hear and even more difficult to follow. But he encourages them to make unselfish choices, to live within their means and to do what is just. (Op. cit.)

Advent is the time for us to ask ourselves the same question, “What should we do?” In some ways we are no different than those to whom John spoke centuries ago.

We clamor for the good life and find great comfort in the gospel of prosperity believing that God will bless us because we are willing to work hard; that God will bless us no matter the price others must pay for our sense of security. We worry about taxes and about budget deficits. We resent the notion that we must sacrifice for others convinced that everyone must pay their own way.

We excuse whatever abuses happen on the battlefield as a consequence of the brutality of war. Whatever it is we may be doing that may cause others to suffer, John chastises and challenges us to consider another way.

John challenges us to be as trees not to be cut down and thrown into the fire, but trees that bear fruit of integrity by sharing (Luke 3:11), by caring for persons in our charge (Luke 3:13), and by acting with equity and justice (Luke 3:14). His words to us are troubling because we live in times that test our patience and perseverance.

That is as observation made by the Rev. Charles Buck in his annual pastoral letter to the pastors and members of our churches that are a part of the Hawai‘i Conference of the United Church of Christ. “I confess to you my feelings of discouragement from time to time. While markets may be slowly recovering, the effects on people have been real and lasting: job losses, home foreclosures, business failures, and cutbacks in government and social services. Discouragement deepened in those moments of endless argument and debate over troop deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, healthcare and medical insurance reform, “Friday furloughs” in Hawai‘i’s schools . . . ”

“Remaining hopeful is not easy.” But then Kahu Buck continues, “Nevertheless, I have seen signs of hope. While overall charitable giving in these lean times is down, giving to religious organizations holds steady. This tells me that people of faith want to help one another. Hope is made real when the members and congregations of the United Church of Christ in Hawai‘i do just that: respond to the needs of people and communities.” (Pastoral Letter, December 10, 2009)

Like Kahu Buck, I will admit there are times when I feel discouraged. But like him, I also feel encouraged by the extravagant generosity of others.

Advent is a time for us to prepare ourselves to turn again to God and to Jesus Christ and to re-orient our lives. Our repentance, our turning must lead into words and deeds of compassion, justice and mercy.

As disturbing as John’s words may be to us, it is still a message of good news. Yes, the dawning will come and the darkness will be overcome by the light of day. Yes, Christmas day will come soon enough and we will know once again that darkness will be overcome by the light of day.

Many, many years ago I saw the sun rise out of the ocean at Kalapana on the island of Hawai‘i. It was at a place called Kaimu and was known as the Black Sand Beach of Kalapana. The beach was still there. Years later it would disappear under the onslaught of the volcanic eruption that began in 1983; an eruption which continues to this day.

I arrived at Kaimu late at night. It was dark, very dark. Everything was swallowed up by the darkness.

I was much, much younger then. It was a spiritual journey for me; a time to take stock of my life; a time to make decisions; a time to determine where my life was headed.

When the first spark of light broke through the darkness the next morning, it was overwhelming. Things that were hidden in the night began to fall into full view. Shadows took shape.

The darkness of the night was no more. It was not long after that that I decided to enter the Christian ministry.

As we prepare to receive the Christ Child once more this Christmas season, we rejoice knowing that out of the darkness shall come a great light. Amen.

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