Note: This is not the sermon as preached. It has been edited to include a commentary about Mary and Joseph's attitude when they found Young Jesus "left behind" at the Temple. It reflects the extraordinary and unique piece of art by the Italian artist Simone Martini, with expressions never seen before or after! It is, I belive what I would have said had I found the picture while piecing together my sermon.
London has the oldest subway system in the world. When it was built, in 1863, the engineers had to thread the tunnels under the city through a maze of water and sewage lines, some of the old canals, and under the basements of very, very old buildings.
In some quarters, even the stations could not be built on a straight line, and when the cars stopped at the stations, there were gaps between the cars and the platforms. So, to alert the unwary rider, the wizards of London came with a catchy phrase, “Mind the Gap”. In other words, be aware of the separation between cars and platform.
But I don’t intend to speak today about the London Tube, but “Mind the Gap” has become a metaphor for many situations in life – and in theology, as you will see in a few minutes.
St Augustine in his book “Confessions” wrote, “Great are you, O Lord, and exceedingly worthy of praise; your power is immense, and your wisdom beyond reckoning. And so, we men, who are a due part of your creation, long to praise you – we also carry our mortality about with us, carry the evidence of our sin and with it the proof that you thwart the proud. You stir us so that praising you may bring us joy, because you have made us and drawn us to yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
And, in a way, S.t Augustine condenses for us our lessons for this, our first Sunday of the Year of our Lord, 2025.
Quite often when one hears the story of the Garden of Eden there is a strong emphasis on the disobedience of our primeval parents, and how they were abruptly kicked out from the Garden.
But even if it is the truth, that’s not the whole truth by any means. The story of the Garden started long before even the wretched apple came into being. In fact, the story began even before creation. Then, as St Paul tells us in our second Lesson, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”
So, even if the story of Creation begins with the words, “In the beginning”, yet before the beginning God loved us, chose us in Jesus, and brough us into being through the workings of Creation.
It is such underlying and fundamental connection which we, by and large, chose to ignore in our vain search for a better deal on our own terms.
But, in fact, it is such disconnect what causes us to be restless, for as the Psalmist sings, our truest desire and longing is to be where we belong, in the presence of the Lord. Indeed, we were made for God and to enjoy God’s presence.
Now, it must be said, most people don’t get it. If not, the world would be a different place. But let us cut some slack for us. Even after all that Mary and Joseph had gone through, they still didn’t get it.
If you recall, Mary had the visit of an Angel. She knew in her body that something had changed. In other words, it was not her imagination. Joseph had an angelic visitor as well. The had the promised Baby! Then, they heard and saw the shepherds and the Wise Men coming to worship little Baby Jesus.
Eventually, as we know, Mary and Joseph had to flee to Egypt. It was not just a holiday trip – “Honey, how about going to visit the Pyramids?” They were led to move out from family, home, friends, and all that was dear to them just to spare the life of their beloved Son.
Upon their return, they heard Simeon and Anna in the Temple. Joseph and Mary experienced like no one else this side of heaven what it truly meant “God with us, God for us, God in us.” And yet…
The first and only time that the Scriptures record Mary and Joseph addressing Jesus was when they gave him a dressing down! In an extraordinary and unique depiction of the event, by the Italian artist, Simone Martini (ca. 1284-1344) one can easily imagine Joseph telling Young Jesus, "See how worried is you Mother! Young man, why have you done this to us?" In the painting, Mary appears to be saying, "Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!” And Young Jesus -- befitingly to any twelve-year old boy appears to be saying, "But I told you! Why did you go looking for me elsewhere? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?”
As St. Luke tells us and as Simone Martini seems to imply, Mary and Joseph still didn’t get it. So, Young Jesus went back home where his parents thought He had to be.
Now, as we begin the new year, let me offer this brief reflection on the lessons appointed for us today.
As you transit this year, don’t waste your time trying to place Jesus where YOU think he should be. Don’t assume God.
Mary and Joseph assumed that Jesus was to be where he was supposed to be. It is interesting to note that Joseph and Mary did not question their own expectations. They didn’t anticipate finding Jesus in the Temple but rather playing with his friends. For this is what kids do, right?
And so, when they found Jesus talking shop with the elders, they never even considered the idea of waiting for Jesus. Mary and Joseph had their own plans and Jesus had to stick with them. And when they could not find Jesus, when they eventually found him, they let him have it.
So, isn’t it us when we expect God to act or say what God is supposed to say or do?
As you may have noticed, the world has changed – drastically and for the worse some may say. Not only the world, but even our nation, our commonwealth, even our own neighborhoods and even our families. Our kids do stuff that we would have never dreamed of doing or even thinking!
But, in general, we don’t like change. We love to stay on the well-trod paths and traditions that we know so well. And we expect God to show up on time and where God is expected to show up.
But if the story of Jesus tells us something, it is that God is good to us, God is full of grace, love, and mercy. And God is patient beyond measure.
Yet, what the story teaches us as well, is that we should not forget that God runs his own show. In the Scriptures every so often you read about the need to have fear of the Lord. But not fear in the sense of being afraid, but in the sense of being respectful. In other words, to “Mind the Gap” between God and you.
Conventional wisdom will tell you, “No good deed shall remain unpunished.” And, sometimes, it may be so. But the Scriptures, however, challenges you to remain faithful and hopeful, for as the Psalmist sings, “No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who walk with integrity.” For God is for you, God is in you, God is with you.
So, as you start the new year, please remember this: God can work out everything way beyond what you can ask or imagine. God is faithful to his promises even when we doubt. God is good and understanding, but please, by all means, don’t try to place God into a theological, social, or cultural box. In other words, as you walk in your journey of faith, just “Mind the Gap.”
May God who called you into being be your strength and delight.
May Jesus who came to save you mostly from yourself, be your guide.
May the Spirit, who blew away the stormy chaos, bring light and peace to your life.
And may God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you today, throughout this year, and until the end of time. Amen.
Fr. Gustavo
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