December 18, 2011 Cycle B
2 Samuel 7:8 Romans 16:25-27 Psalm 89 Luke 1:26-38
Restore Love
There have been many slightly silly and romantic stories of elaborate marriage proposals that we hear about in the news. For example: the young man who paid to have his proposal flashed across the jumbotron at a baseball game. Another creative spirit invited his girlfriend into a small plane so that they could have a bird’s eye view of a hayfield where the farmer had mowed out the words “Marry me.” Another guy took the risk of proposing to his girlfriend on live morning television as millions watched. There was one girl who was tired of waiting for her turtle paced boyfriend to pop the question, so she baked a cake with an engagement ring on top.
Each of these people took a risk. These gestures could have gone dramatically wrong, instead fortunately their unique ideas had the desired affect and the answer was yes.
It’s not just fresh new love that encourages dramatic displays of devotion. Love can invite sacrifice and determination at any age, and under many circumstances. We can consider the dad who after a long day of out of town business meetings, drives all night to avoid missing his first graders school play, or the mother who sits at her desk everyday to write to her son during his yearlong deployment overseas. Then there’s the story of the insurance agent who donated his kidney when he discovered he was a match for his co-worker in the next office cubicle.
What would you do for the one you love? And what wouldn’t you do for the one you love? There comes a time when it’s not enough to simply declare love. Words can seem empty without convincing actions to back them up. The constant theme in love songs is the celebration of tangible visible devotion on display for all to see. Love’s the thousand yellow ribbons on the old oak tree. It’s that singer Marvin Gaye vowing that there’s no mountain too high, no river too wide, or any valley too low to keep him from his beloved. That’s what love might look like.
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we pray Psalm 89. The psalmist sings God’s love song for the world to hear as God’s unbreakable covenant is proclaimed. Our first verse says it well, “I will sing forever of your love O Lord, of this I am sure, that your love lasts forever.” This Psalm 89 is filled with action verbs reflecting on God in motion, unstoppable because of the power of this love. God will set a crown assuring the dynasty will continue. God will anoint the chosen with oil. God will always remain and strengthen them. And while there might be obstacles to love, God is prepared. God will not allow the enemy to outwit or humble the beloved. Any enemies will be crushed and haters will be struck down.
In this endearing covenant, God promises “My faithfulness and steadfast love.” And the beloved will respond to this lasting relationship with the heartfelt cry “You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.” This is what God would do for love. God enters into this relationship wholeheartedly and without reservation. God declares unending love without abandon.
As cute and fancible as the imaginative marriage proposals might be that I spoke of, we recognize that mature lasting love is what every couple really needs. Even if they’re unaware of it at the blissful beginning of their marriage, couples will need a love that is tough, enduring, prepared to meet obstacles head on. They need a love that offers the armor and protection that is needed to see them through the ups and downs that await them down the road.
Thus it is this following brings to mind that sense of marital fidelity.
As a retired aerospace engineer with Alzheimer’s disease, Bob Patterson speaks with his wife, Karen. Bob speaks about how his illness has taught him of the things that are most important in life: “Well, I think one thing that I experience with Alzheimer’s is: I live in the moment – because I can’t remember what happened yesterday, I can’t remember what happened ten minutes ago, but I am much more present I think.”
Karen asks her husband, “Do you think about the future?” Bob says, “I know that there is probably a bad time that comes in the future. This disease gets more wicked, but I don’t obsess on it, and I just do a nice job of ignoring it.” Karen says, “With this disease you move from somebody that lived in your head a lot, to somebody that lives in your heart.”
The ferocity and strength of God’s love brings to mind the unbreakable bond when we hear the words, “I will always be there for you.” It is the fearless like that of a tigress, or a mother bear. The lover will fight for you if necessary. The lover will defend you with their blood, with their life, and with all of their spirit. God’s love for the people has truly been restored!
Although this love will seek to protect and promises never to abandon, it does not, and cannot promise an absence of danger, loss or stress. There seems to be always foes, enemies and wicked ones who want to do harm. But God promises that the love of God will never end. That evil that exists cannot prevail. It’s not a gilded path free of pain, or sorrow, but rather the accompaniment of faithfulness along a precarious journey. It is the promise of love that is steadfast, strong and true. We are called to count on that love no matter what comes. Amen. Amen.