Fourth Sunday in Advent, Sunday, December 22nd, 2013
Fr. Todd Bragg
St. Margaret Anglican Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
" Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." (Book of Revelation 16:15ff)
In my current Scripture readings, I am reading the Book of Revelation to finish off the year. In doing so, I read the above passage, which did cause me to search a little bit deeper because I found it to be a curious verse. Now there are various references to "garments" throughout Scripture. In this sense, though, the reference it used to point out that we should be: "prepared," "steadfast," and always "loyal to God." Certainly, in this sense, these are wonderful thoughts for us to ponder in regards to Advent and our preparing for the Coming of the Messiah.
"For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked." (II Corinithians 5:1-4)
Again, St. Paul is simply pointing out that God always provides for us if we only place our trust in Him. To us, this world now is all we have ever known, and as such, it is understandable that we only concentrate on what we know. But we, as Christians, are called to look beyond the "here" and "now" and realize that this time we have here on earth is only as a grain of sand on the sea shore of eternity. God has promised us that we will live eternal life with Him if we only follow Him.
St. John Chrystosom wrote: "When therefore we are called by the grace of God, we are clothed with a white garment, to preserve from every stain, from every grievous sin, depends upon the diligence (the watching and praying) of every individual."
God provides for us and washes away our sins. He gives us new life through baptism. He forgives our sins. He nourishes us every time we approach the Communion rail. He offers us the opportunity to have new life with Him through His death on the Cross and His rising again to new life on the third day. Let us be prepared by wearing the proper garments, the garments prepared for us by Our Blessed Saviour. Let us wear those garments with loyalty and joy.
In my current Scripture readings, I am reading the Book of Revelation to finish off the year. In doing so, I read the above passage, which did cause me to search a little bit deeper because I found it to be a curious verse. Now there are various references to "garments" throughout Scripture. In this sense, though, the reference it used to point out that we should be: "prepared," "steadfast," and always "loyal to God." Certainly, in this sense, these are wonderful thoughts for us to ponder in regards to Advent and our preparing for the Coming of the Messiah.
"For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked." (II Corinithians 5:1-4)
Again, St. Paul is simply pointing out that God always provides for us if we only place our trust in Him. To us, this world now is all we have ever known, and as such, it is understandable that we only concentrate on what we know. But we, as Christians, are called to look beyond the "here" and "now" and realize that this time we have here on earth is only as a grain of sand on the sea shore of eternity. God has promised us that we will live eternal life with Him if we only follow Him.
St. John Chrystosom wrote: "When therefore we are called by the grace of God, we are clothed with a white garment, to preserve from every stain, from every grievous sin, depends upon the diligence (the watching and praying) of every individual."
God provides for us and washes away our sins. He gives us new life through baptism. He forgives our sins. He nourishes us every time we approach the Communion rail. He offers us the opportunity to have new life with Him through His death on the Cross and His rising again to new life on the third day. Let us be prepared by wearing the proper garments, the garments prepared for us by Our Blessed Saviour. Let us wear those garments with loyalty and joy.
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