God So Loved the World

A Meditation

Rejoice ye with Jerusalem; and be ye glad for her, all ye that delight in her: exult and sing for joy with her, all ye that in sadness mourn for her; that ye may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations. I was glad when they said unto me, we will go into the house of the Lord.  

The fourth Sunday of Lent is called Lætare Sunday. A Latin word meaning to give joy. We are half-way between Ash Wednesday and Easter. It was a set point that the church lifted up as an opportunity to relax the strictures of Lent for a day—but for only a day—to lay back, eat a hearty meal, and engage with loved ones and friends. Girding our loins to continue the most arduous part of the journey as Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem. (The season of Advent has a similar celebration at its midpoint.)

Lætare Sunday gives us space to consider the familiarity of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” For my money, that verse should always be yoked to the one that falls immediately thereafter: “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Theologically, as important as it is that Jesus became human and is God’s son, that assertion is incomplete if we don’t in the next breath proclaim that Jesus’ birth was the gift of mercy and salvation to struggling humanity. Under our own lights will always lose our way.  We can understand the momentousness of Jesus’ birth, but to continue to wallow in misery. God did not design us to be downtrodden, but rather to celebrate the fact of our being God’s children in the promise of salvation. In that sense, precisely as Jesus is God’s child.

The world is hard on us, which is why salvation is such a great gift. Often we feel it is a gift we somehow missed out on. Truly, as we look around us, we don’t see that many people who seem comforted by the promises of salvation. We see other hurting souls; exactly what we see inside of us.

We need to understand that salvation does not put us in a comfortable home on Easy Street. Instead, salvation is a promise that everything will be resolved and rewarded. We will go into the house of the Lord. “Rejoice ye!” indeed.

Pastor Neil

Sign of the Cross

Celebrant    We gather together, as we live our lives, …

People        In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Celebrant   Blessed be God.

 People         And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

 Celebrant    Let us pray: God of the desert, as we follow Jesus into the unknown, may we recognize the Tempter when he comes. Let it be your bread we eat, your world we serve, and you alone we worship. This we ask through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

 

Opening Dialogue

Celebrant    From the rising of the sun to its setting, my Name shall be great among the nations, and in every place incense shall be offered to my Name, and a pure offering: for my Name shall be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.   Amen.

Celebrant   Great and wonderful are your deeds, O Lord God the almighty.

People         Just and true are your ways, O Sovereign of the nations.

 Celebrant   Who shall not revere and praise your name, O Lord, for you alone are holy.

People         All nations shall come and worship in your presence for your just dealings have been revealed.

Celebrant    To the One who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb,

People         Be blessing and honor, glory, and might, forever and ever. Amen.

Celebrant: Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continuously have to renew their repentance and faith.

Celebrant    Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Litany of Penitence

The Celebrant and People together:

Most holy and merciful Father:
We confess to you and to one another,
and to the whole communion of saints
in heaven and on earth,
that we have sinned by our own fault
in thought, word, and deed;
by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.

 

The Celebrant continues

We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
Have mercy on us, Lord.

We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on us, Lord.

We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives,
We confess to you, Lord.

Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people,
We confess to you, Lord.

Our anger at our own frustrations, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves,
We confess to you, Lord.

Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work,
We confess to you, Lord.

Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us,
We confess to you, Lord.

Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done: for our blindness to human needs and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty,
Accept our repentance, Lord.

For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us,
Accept our repentance, Lord.

For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us,
Accept our repentance, Lord.

Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us;
Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great.

Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,
That we may show forth your glory in the world.

By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord,
Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.

Celebrant:             Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desires not the death of sinners, but rather that we may turn from our wickedness and live, has given power and commandment to his church to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the absolution and remission of our sins. He pardons and absolves all those who truly repent, and with sincere hearts believe his holy Gospel.

Therefore, we beseech God to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do on this day, and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy, so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

Collect of the Day

Celebrant           Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

A Reading from Exodus at the 20th Chapter

Moses prayed for the people

Reader        A Reading from Exodus

From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So, Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So, Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

Reader        The Word of the Lord.

People         Thanks be to God.

 

  

Reader        From Psalm 107, proclaimed responsively
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble

 

And gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction;

 

They loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress;

 

He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

 

And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

 

Epistle: from Ephesians at the 2nd Chapter

For by grace you have been saved through faith

Reader        A Reading from Ephesians

You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.

But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Reader        The Word of the Lord.

People         Thanks be to God.

 

 

A Reading from the Gospel of John, at the 3rd chapter

Those who believe in him are not condemned

 

Celebrant    The holy gospel according to Mark

People         Glory to you, O Lord.

 

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Those who believe in him are not condemned, but those who do not believe are condemned already because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.

Celebrant    The Gospel of the Lord.

People         Praise to you, Lord Christ.

 

Meditation                                                                       Pastor Neil

 

At the end of the sermon:

Celebrant: Let us bless the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm 34 said responsively

I will bless the LORD at all times;

God’s praise shall continuously be in my mouth.

 My soul makes its boast in the LORD;

          let the humble hear and be glad.

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt God’s name together.

I sought the LORD, and God answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Look to God, and be radiant; so, your face shall never be ashamed.

This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear God and delivers them.

O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.

 

On Behalf of The People of God

Let the people of God glorify the Lord,  praise him, and highly exalt him forever.

Glorify the Lord, O priests, and servants of the Lord, praise him and highly exalt him forever.

 

Glorify the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, praise him, and highly exalt him forever.

You that are holy and humble of heart, glorify the Lord, praise him, and highly exalt him forever.

 

Let us glorify the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; praise him and highly exalt him forever.

In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord,  praise him, and highly exalt him forever.

 

Suffrages

Celebrant: Grant, most merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Celebrant: Grant, Almighty God, that we, your people, may recognize our weakness and put our whole trust in your strength, so that we may rejoice forever in the protection of your loving providence; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Celebrant: Keep us, your family, Lord, with your never-failing mercy, that relying solely on the help of your heavenly grace, we may be upheld by your divine protection; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Celebrant: Look mercifully on your family, Almighty God, that by your great goodness we may be governed and preserved evermore; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Celebrant: Look down in mercy, Lord, on your people who look to you; and grant that those whom you have nourished by your Word and Sacraments may bring forth fruit worthy of repentance. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated   

at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,      

on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Celebrant       Show us your mercy, O Lord;
People              And grant us your salvation.

Celebrant       Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
People              Let your people sing with joy.

Celebrant      Give peace, O Lord, to all the world;
People             For only in you can we live in safety.

 

Celebrant      Lord, keep this nation and world under your care;
People             And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Celebrant      Let your way be known upon earth;
People             Your saving health among all nations.

Celebrant      Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
People             Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Celebrant      Create in us clean hearts, O God;
People             And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

 

Celebrant              Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in our vocations and ministries, we may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Celebrant             O ruler of earth and nations guide our country under the leadership of a new president and vice-president, as well as many other offices of public service, that require wisdom and responsibility. Make all of us discerning of your will and give the strength necessary to make our earthly kingdoms a reflection of your heavenly Kingdom of God. Lead us to the place we need to be, most particularly when we invariably go in the wrong direction and stumble in the dark. Amen.

Celebrant              O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The General Thanksgiving

Celebrant and People

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Celebrant    Let us bless the Lord.
People        Thanks be to God.

The Blessing

Celebrant             Sisters and brothers, we go out into the world in peace. We live and walk as part of God’s beloved community. May God help us all to be of good courage, to hold on to what is good, and to return to no one an evil for an evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, aid the suffering, do justice and hope, honor all people, and let our gentleness be known by everyone. May God, who raised our Lord Jesus from death, lift us up and restore us to wholeness. And may God bless us all, ☩ in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Celebrant    Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

People         Thanks be to God.

 

 

The church of San Giorgio Maggiore was built on the San Giorgio Island, across the lagoon from St. Mark’s Square, between 1566 and 1600, using the design of Palladio (based on classical designs and symmetry.) After 1590 the workshop of Tintoretto was commissioned to paint huge canvases for decorating it. Due to his large number of commissions as a very popular painter who provided huge canvases for public buildings, Tintoretto in his later years increasingly relied on his coworkers and students. However, the magnificent and confusing painting, “The Jews in the Desert,” was absolutely pained by the master himself. The painting seems to be composed in different sections depicting aspects of the Jews wandering in the wilderness. However, the unusual iconography and symbolism of this painting are still not entirely understood. In the background, Tintoretto depicted the Israelites’ scorning of the manna given by God for nourishment, which led to the plague of fiery serpents, and finally the setting up of the bronze serpent that would keep the people safe. Moreover, it seems to reflect in the middle-ground the camp of the Israelites in the oasis of Elim, the washing of their clothes at the foot of Mount Sinai, the making of the copper basin for the sanctuary, the cooking of manna, etc.—a scene of domesticity, including even a spinning wheel. In the right foreground, the figure of Moses is intentionally made to resemble Christ. As so often in Tintoretto, an alternate scriptural allusion is concealed behind details that appear to be merely those of his main subject. For example, the donkey driver top right could hearken to Balaam who beat his animal because it was afraid of the angel of the Lord, whom Balaam himself did not see, though the donkey did. However, this sweet story in the book of Numbers is so far removed from the manna, the bronze serpent, and Moses with his aides and family members—even if the donkey driver did invoke the story of Balaam, you convince yourself that you’re making that up because it’s so implausible. All this suggests a huge fact about Tintoretto’s public art: He would never let a patch of canvas go to waste!