Sermon preached at Community Vespers
4th Sunday of Easter (Vespers I)
12th April 2008

Luke alone records the event of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. On that very day, Simeon, moved by the Spirit, is present. Taking Jesus in his arms, he recognises him and praises God for this Salvation of His, this light for revelation to the Gentiles, this light for glory to Israel. After blessing the Lord, Simeon blesses Mary and says to her: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed." (Lk 2:22-34)

Jesus preached a new message. Everything about him was new. You see this in the testimony of John the Baptist to begin with. His being was new - there had never been an Emmanuel. His activities were new. "He will baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire." There are other instances in the Gospels. He interacts with the poor, with sinners, and opens to them hope and salvation. "It is the sick who need a doctor." Jesus' message was radical, challenging and demanding. Its newness received added force from the authority with which he spoke.

Jesus had said: I did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. In fulfilling it, he was renewing it; he was changing it because he was leading it to its essence. The visible change is recognized by Jesus: "A man's enemies will be the members of his own household." (Mt 10:36)

The Gospels of Matthew and John are full with instances of Jesus' renewal of religion. He replaces Judaism and its institution with his own new way. This evening, St. Peter tells us we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God. (I Pet 2:9) St. Peter was a Jew. He knew the words of God in Exodus: Now if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples ... and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Ex 19:6)

Peter, the chief of the Apostles, describes the Christian community in this way. One can only see there's been a replacement. Christians are the new People of God. How does this come about, this replacement? By the resurrection of Christ, God has given us new truth and living hope. We were not a people at all, now we are the people of God. Faith in Christ Jesus has made us so. Once we were outside the mercy, now we have been given mercy. Faith in Christ Jesus has won us this.

As Simeon foretold, Jesus has caused the rising and falling of many in Israel. Yes, as St. Peter says, he was a stone that causes men to stumble, a rock that makes them fall. Yes, Jesus' message was new but it completed the old. The rising and falling continues in the new Israel. Jesus the God-man with the Good News with its very demands remains the cause. Many shall knock "We called on your name" but he shall not know us. As of old, "if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you shall speak to the children of Israel (Ex 19:6)