The Gospel parable of a tardy bridegroom hits home. I was a bridegroom who got lost, but got found in time to show up at the church three minutes before the wedding. I was greeted by a rather concerned would be father-in-law. The bridegroom was delayed, the bride's father was concerned, and this looked to be as good a lead-in as any to the Gospel text for today. And it would have been had today been an ordinary Sunday in an ordinary week.

But this is not an ordinary week nor is this an ordinary Sunday. And I would think a preacher this morning would do well in the context of worship, to reflect on this extraordinary week. And so rather than using our Gospel as a jumping off place this morning, we will emphasize our First Reading from the prophet Amos. Amos, who rails out against God's people in Israel, in the midst of calling the government to task. Israel and her citizens are called the "Chosen Ones of God." When God chooses a people - watch out. God expects higher things for that people. God expects that the government and its people to act and react in new and better ways than previously.

I want to tread lightly here, as I have heard enough in the past, "Pastor, keep politics out of the pulpit." My response has always been, "All life is politics." Parents are politicians. Teachers are politicians. Spouses are politicians. Pastors are politicians. This is not a bad thing. Politics is the art of persuasion and compromise and goal-setting and working for the common good. The Bible is thoroughly political. Patriarchs, and prophets, and preachers are always bumping up against the powers that be. If what Jesus has to say is not political ... a cross will not be waiting for him at the end of the road. Our third graders with their new Bibles are going to discover it's nearly impossible to turn three or four consecutive pages in the Bible without running into politics. Keep politics out of the pulpit? In our own great land, the separation of church and state is meant to protect the church from the state - rather than keeping the church from attempting to influence the state.

God, with a wonderful sense of humor and a terrific sense of timing, God has opened the door to a political sermon this historic week. How could I not tie last Tuesday with this Sunday? Especially so, as we prepare to Baptize - not Mary, not Joanne, not Kathleen - rather, we prepare to Baptize Reagan!

I haven't asked if Brad and Dianne named Reagan after Ronald, or if they just liked the name, whoever the source. The name means regal, like a king, and since Reagan is going to be Baptized into the name of Jesus Christ, King of Kings ... her name is especially appropriate. The same Jesus who talked about his followers being "salt of the earth" and "light for the world" also said, "A city on a hill cannot be hid." In a little while we're going to hold up a candle as we say, "Reagan, let your light so shine before others...." And all of this is so reminiscent of the great president who challenged America to be a "shining city upon a hill." I like it when a politician speaks in biblical imagery, especially with words so beautifully and so transparently - borrowed from Jesus.

A political sermon. Give me credit. I could have chosen a safe path for myself. I could have crafted a sermon about a tardy bridegroom, what with my own experience as a way of getting into the text. However, besides the context of this momentous week, my conscience was also tweaked by the prophet Amos. If there were no politics in the Bible, there would be, for instance, no prophet named Amos. In fact, there would be no prophets at all, speaking in the name of the Lord against the powers that be and the people that are. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Zepheniah, Micah, Malachi, John the Baptist - all spoke truth to power; all were roundly criticized, some were put to death. If the prophets did not preach politics, they could not have preached God! The prophets did not speak out against their country because they hated that country ... they spoke out because they loved Israel so deeply and so profoundly. They loved the orphans, and the widows, and the disenfranchised so much that they spoke out on their behalf. Above all, and this is a key: they loved God and felt compelled to speak out in God's name in an effort to make their beloved country all that God called it to be.

When my colleagues and I looked at Amos this past week, the words of the prophet sent a shiver down the spine of every one of us. Speaking for the Almighty, Amos writes, "I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.... Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps." Is God not pleased with what goes on at Grace, Sunday mornings at 8:30 and 11:00? Just what is God looking for, if not our prayer, and praise, and offering, and thanksgiving? God is looking for the people of God to "... let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." If our love for God and neighbor is professed merely on our lips in the midst of these walls ... well, God is not impressed. "I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.... But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

In the context in which Amos writes, justice and righteousness are less like water falls and ever-flowing streams. Justice and righteousness are like wadis ... dry river beds. The rich are getting richer and the people are getting parched. Amos speaks out with judgment and indignation, not because he hates Israel, but because he loves his country ... and yet he knows God is concerned about the lack of justice for the down-and-out and the poorest of the poor! Amos speaks out, not because God is unworthy of worship, but rather God is worthy of more than just worship. You can almost imagine this conclusion to the words of Amos, "I am God and I approve this message."

All this being said, for countless millions throughout the world, the results of this election is perceived as the opening of a door into a better future. Not everyone, obviously, perceives it that way, but millions do. The opening of a door through which we glimpse America as that shining city on a hill. John McCain may have led us there; but will not have the opportunity. The people have spoken. Barack Obama may lead us there; and maybe not. However, it seems the president-elect speaks the lingo of faith and justice. President-elect Obama evokes the optimism of a Ronald Reagan ... even as he echoes the challenge of Amos. Whatever else Ronald Reagan meant when he evoked that image of a shining city on a hill, it most certainly included a country whose citizens are united in the quest to "let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

As I Baptize Reagan this morning I am more than aware that in three weeks I will be Baptizing my own-flesh-and-blood, Jadyn. We pray for the both of them and for the third graders who received the gift of a Bible today. We pray that even as we know the futures of these children are secure in God's Kingdom, nevertheless we are concerned for their safety and welfare as they walk with Jesus on their earthly journey.

Therefore, I hope I speak on behalf of us all, whichever side of the political aisle we find ourselves . I pray we will join hearts in prayer and then hands in outreach ... as we work for the common love we have for this country. It is our future we would be working for, as well as the future of our children.

May God bless America; and through America, may God bless the world! We can do our part to make that blessing a reality, as we allow ourselves to become God's own irrigation system, doing our part to let "justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."