Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

Enter into the Inner Chamber

Outline

This is a difficult celebration

The only document that mentions the event is relatively late

There are significant issues about its historical value

Then I reflected on the fact that the Theotokos is the first and ideal Christian, the first of us and our pattern

The goal of life is to get closer to Jesus, the King

Many people stay in the outer court, perhaps beyond the altar, observing from afar.

Some go into the Temple, but only the outer sanctuary, they can see him, perhaps, moving within the veil, but are not with him

We are to be in Christ as Christ was in the Theotokos.

We can go in with him within the inner veil

And, given that all other positions and honors and wealth in this world are passing away, that is the only permanent and lasting value

The Theotokos risked all in this world for him and would not leave him, even when he went to the cross.

This is like Mary, who kept her focus on Jesus.

With him there only the bare necessities were needed, perhaps just some bread, for he was food enough.

Martha got distracted with proper this-worldly protocol, although she too was a deep believer.

Yes, blessed are those who fix their eyes on Jesus: “Blessed . . .

are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Brothers and sisters,

The world wants to lull us into sleep, to keep us focused on the affairs around us, so that we take our focus off Jesus

We are, rather, to be focused on Jesus and asking his direction in the affairs around us

When we go to sleep we may end up building bigger barns rather than remembering that we may see Jesus very soon.

Once we grasp this our lives will have a single focus: “Purity of heart is to will one thing.”

That focus will be drawing closer to Jesus, to the inner sanctuary; sitting at his feet, pursing our outward activities at his direction and in his way.

Blessed indeed are those who hear this word of God and keep it.

Readings

Epistle of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

EPISTLE

Hebrews 9:1–7

9  Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary.

2  For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of offering; it is called the Holy Place.

3  Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, 4  having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat.

Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; 7  but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.

Epistle of the 26th Sunday after Pentecost

EPISTLE

Ephesians 5:9–19

9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; 13 but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.

14 Therefore it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,

and Christ shall give you light.”

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16  making the most of the time, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19  addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart,

Gospel of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

GOSPEL

Luke 10:38–42, 11:27, 28

38  Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.

40 But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?

Tell her then to help me.”

41  But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 one thing is needful.

Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”

27  As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!”

28  But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Gospel of the 26th Sunday after Pentecost

GOSPEL

(26th Sunday)

Luke 12:16–21

16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’

18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’

20  But God said to him, ‘Fool!

This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’

21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Notes

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021 | ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS

THE ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE

Bright Vestments

On the same date: Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Matins Gospel Luke 1:39–49, 56

Epistle Hebrews 9:1–7

Gospel Luke 10:38–42, 11:27, 28

BLUE