Sun, Nov 24, 2019 at St. John’s Winnsboro
Christ the King
Color: White Assigned Readings (Proper 29 )
Track One Lesson 1: Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm: Canticle 4 or 16
Lesson 2: Colossians 1:11-20
Gospel: Luke 23:33-43
Endings
Endings are important. That’s a big subject. I only want to scratch the surface here today. Endings are important for making possible New Beginnings.
I had a lesson in endings recently when I smiled to myself at the Charlotte Symphony when the whole audience was blown away by the virtuosity of a pianist. We burst into applause and then slowly began to realize that it was only the end of the 1st movement (out of 4).
The etiquette is that one applauds only at the finale.
For the past 2 years Mary Pat and I have had season tickets to the Charlotte Symphony. It has been a wonderful experience, involving a large collection of sensory satisfactions. There has been good company. We often attended with good friends. Good food. We often went to a nice dinner with our friends. Good church services. We sometimes went to church with our good friends. Good music.The Charlotte Symphony is really good.
We have seen and heard some breath-taking performances by artists: pianists, violinists, oboeists, trumpeters, and others.
I thought about ways we identify the conclusion to a symphony, a concerto, or any major musical work.
- theme, drawing together the major themes of the work
- key signature, the tone of the music at the finale can be different or a culmination in some way
- it can grow in volume, reaching a crescendo that is unmistakable
- flair and spectacle
- all the instruments on stage are usually involved in the ending.
We can tell it’s the end is important. Could you tell it was the end of the church year by the lessons from Scripture? I think we are intended to hear them as something like the end of a major symphonic work. The work is called the Gospel
ekklesia
The end we observe today is the end of the church year. Next Sunday we begin a new church year – 4 Sundays of Advent preceding Christmas. You will notice that it is not the end of society’s year. We call that New Year. New year’s eve is big deal in many places.
As we remember the year that is past we prepare and anticipate the year to come.
Ever since my family began observing the church year – translate “observe Advent” – in my home when I was about 11 or 12 – I have appreciated the way in which the church year is decidedly not society’s year. When we organize our lives by the faith of the Church in Jesus Christ we are drawn more and more into a different model, a different schedule of beginnings and endings. It all leads to life. A different lifestyle.
To become a Christian means to increasingly by led away from the ways of society at large. It’s not surprising that in the earliest years of the church it was called ekklesia – which in Greek means “led out or away from.”
When I pay attention to the end of the church year I am reminded that as a Christian we are called (out) to do things differently from the way everybody else does.
This Sunday is the finale of the year’s proclamation of the truth of the Gospel. It is like a summary of all the minor themes. It is a recapitulation of the major theme. It is meant to get our attention and make us ready to stand and respond with, “Now I’m ready to go and do and be the Gospel for the world.”
Lessons like 3 movements of the final symphony of the year
Jeremiah
Decidedly looking forward, anticipating a time
Woe on the leaders who divide the people and scatter them rather than gather them
therefore God will do the fathering, God will gather a remnant
God will raise up new leaders
- especially one from David’s house
Letter to the Colossians
Behold the grandeur of Christ’s work
He rescues from the powers of darkness
He offers redemption
He offers forgiveness
Since he has been from the beginning and reigns forever the offer is for all times: past, present, and future
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. (v. 20)
On the Cross in Luke
What victory from the cross looks like:
- mocking is turned to glorification
- jeering is turned to entrance into Paradise
- it looks like forgiveness
- it transforms catastrophe into a blessing that is better than creation itself
I grew up thinking that Luke’s version of what happened on the cross was the definitive one. We’ve heard it today. Golgotha. Two criminals on either side of him. Jesus is mocked at and jeered at by soldiers and one of the criminals. One of the criminals knows himself. He recognizes in Jesus God’s innocent suffering and dying on the cross. He receives the invitation to redemption and salvation.
It is the basic story of salvation which is the gospel. It is the whole deal. This is our story. As one person put it, “If it’s true it’s important.” This is the story that is our story.
That’s what a finale does. It recapitulates the whole deal and sends us out rejoicing and committed to its truth. It is the ending that sets us up to begin anew, strengthened and ready for the task ahead.
“Ode to Joy”
The ending of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is a grand closing. Some of you may know it. There’s a large orchestra and a 90+ choir. youtube Chicago Symphony
“Ode to Joy”
These three lessons today provide an exquisite finale to the church year. Bringing together and in conclusion a proclamation of the basic reality and truth of the Gospel, from Jeremiah’s forward looking prophetic word, to Paul’s vision of a cosmic reigning Christ, to Luke’s presentation of Jesus’ acceptance and forgiveness in the process his gift of salvation. A magnificent finale today.
Perhaps the most dramatic musical finale was the first performance of Beethoven’s 9th symphony. The symphony was the first to incorporate a choir with the orchestra. It was the final symphony of the composer, who had become profoundly deaf. The final movement has the choirus singing. a poem – the “Ode to Joy”.
At the first performance, Beethoven was on the stage with the players, urging them on. He couldn’t hear a thing. He was completely deaf. This was his life’s work. 1 At the conclusion, with the audience giving thunderous applause, someone on stage had to turn Beethoven around so he could see how his work had been received.
For over a hundred years there has been a tradition of playing on New Year’s Eve this symphony, in particular the final movement, with the chorus singing. Somehow the music and the words of the chorus produce an eloquent ending. They are words of hope and the music has lifted the spirits of millions.2
… Be embraced, Millions!
This kiss to all the world!
Brothers & Sisters, above the starry canopy.
There must dwell a loving Father.
Are you collapsing, millions?
Do you sense the creator, world?
Seek him above the starry canopy!.
Above stars must He dwell.
If I could I’d play that finale – then perhaps you’d stand in applause – as they did on May 7, 1824 for Beethoven as he stood beside the orchestra, cheering and imploring them on, but deaf to everything they sang and played. It was the ears of his soul that heard that day.3
Jesus answered him, “What I’m about to tell you is true. Today you will be with me in paradise.”
If it’s true, it’s important.
A good finale recapitulates the whole deal and sends us out rejoicing and committed to its truth. It is the ending that sets us up ready to begin anew, strengthened and ready for the task ahead. As you walk through those doors today, be ready to be the gospel for the world.
Notes
- Thanksgiving Day
- lectionary
- universalis Gives e.g. the greek and New Jerusalem text
- Which person do we identify with? - Jesus - Criminal 1 - Criminal 2
The Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, also known as Beethoven’s 9th, is the final complete symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven, composed between 1822 and 1824. It was first performed in Vienna on 7 May 1824. One of the best-known works in common practice music, it is regarded by many critics and musicologists as one of Beethoven’s greatest works and one of the supreme achievements in the history of western music. In the 2010’s, it stands as one of the most performed symphonies in the world wikipedia ↩︎
The German workers’ movement began the tradition of performing the Ninth Symphony on New Year’s Eve in 1918. Performances started at 11pm so that the symphony’s finale would be played at the beginning of the new year. This tradition continued during the Nazi period and was also observed by East Germany after the war. The Ninth Symphony is traditionally performed throughout Japan at the end of the year. In December 2009, for example, there were 55 performances of the symphony by various major orchestras and choirs in Japan. ibid.
The final stanza (in translation) reads: ↩︎Beethoven’s deafness created one of the most touching stories in music. When the symphony was completed, he remained facing the orchestra and could not hear the thunderous applause of the audience for his new symphony. Caroline Unger, the mezzo-soprano soloist, had to tap the deaf composer’s arm and have him turn around so that he could see how the crowd’s response. Many of those in attendance, including Miss Unger, had tears in their eyes when they realized the extent of Beethoven’s deafness. unique story
If I could I’d preach the gospel on this day – especially on this last Sunday of the church year – as if the whole world depended on it. For it really does depend – not on my preaching but on the gospel itself. ↩︎
