Rev. Charles A. Swan at the reunion of alumni at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

We gather today mindful of the fact that some of our colleagues are no longer with us because of death. When it comes to the matter of our departure from this life, we do not have a choice. Death will come to us sooner or later. As I reflect on those who have passed on before us, the letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 12 and verse 40, comes to mind. The author talks about the faith of Israelite heroes, and at the end of verse 40 says, "...they without us will not be made perfect.'' Those heroes paid a terrible price for their faith. We who remain have a responsibility, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. their completion depends on us. This means we have to work that much harder to make up for their loss. Each generation of the faithful cries to its successors, in the words of John McCrae, writer of In Flanders Fields: To you from falling hands we throw the torch; Be yours to hold it high.

There is still much work to be done, for the world in which we now live often seems to be lacking in hope. Many elderly people experience loneliness, poverty, and at times abuse. There is an increase in the number of people lined up at food banks. Living in Toronto at this stage of my life, I am overwhelmed by the number of beggars on the streets. Those who depend on the welfare system for survival are finding it increasingly more difficult to maintain any reasonable level of dignity, especially when they are faced with all kinds of criticism on a daily basis. Many young people are disillusioned and life seems to be without meaning and purpose. There are those who have a false hope, as they search for ways to get rich in a hurry. One such means is gambling. This often has an horrendous impact on individuals and their families. In this kind of world, we have to admit that all around us there are real struggles and there is injustice.

If there is to be hope I submit to you, that we must look to the future and know, through the vehicle of faith, that the future is not determined by the present. The kind of hope that is needed does not allow the present struggles to overpower us. We can be galvanised by the hope that there is a means to bring about God's dream for the world, where everyone will share in the abundant life. We must, as people with hope, accept the challenge to make it happen.

With hope we can face the threatening forces which confront us, for we know that God is our sure defence. There is no secure place in the world, no hiding place. In this global economy where many workers face layoffs and downsizing, there are no guarantees. In this unstable world we can know that God is still our guiding force. Our God is invincible. God loves and cares about what is happening around us. No matter what happens to us today, God is still in charge, ready always to give us refuge.

In the Revised Lectionary reading from Second Samuel, we are reminded that David had been successful in battle. He had united all Israel under his reign, and Jerusalem was established as the new capital. The time had come for David to fulfill his vow to "find a place for the Lord'' (Psalms 132:5). The time had come to move the Ark of God from the house of ABINADAB to its "place'' in the tent of worship David had prepared in Jerusalem.

David gathered a great escort for God's Ark and placed it on a new cart that was unpolluted by previous use. The procession to Jerusalem began. Thirty thousand men of Israel were chosen. There were musicians, dancers, singers, and David himself. They danced and sang with all their might before the Lord.

There was joy, ecstasy, rapture. What a grand and glorious procession of rejoicing that parade must have been! There is that lovely Yuletide hymn which invites Jesus into our hearts. It declares that there is room in our hearts for him. A "place'' for Jesus in our hearts as David had a "place'' for God's Ark in Jerusalem. Let us also choose to rejoice with all our might in the presence of the Lord.

We hear a lot about national unity these days. Let me say to you, that true religion is an essential prerequisite for national unity. To leave God out of one's life or as a nation, means writing a prescription for disaster. David had an indissoluble insight into the relationship between domestic tranquillity and the people's loyalty to God. This factor marks David's greatest advantage over Saul as a ruler of real spiritual stature. John Baillie's phrase "a cut-flower civilisation'' must need be the death sentence passed upon every society which foolishly attempts to preserve morality without a religious base, or which expects democracy to flourish apart from Christianity.

All of us make choices, whether good or bad. We can choose to obey or disobey our parents. We can choose to eat a balanced diet or not. Every day we are faced with all kinds of choices. The Gospel reading from Mark is a good example of the pride of fools which led to the death of a great man. This scripture is a drama that reveals what happens when pride usurps principle and causes the innocent to suffer. This reading from Mark is a very vivid picture of power, that is used for personal gain with no regard for anyone who gets in the way. It is a tragedy as dark and devious as any play ever written.

In Scene One, King Herod has learned of the miraculous powers of Jesus, and that there was much speculation as to who Jesus was. Some persons said Jesus was Elijah, others called Him one of the prophets of old but Herod had someone else in mind. "John whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead,'' he said. This is a sign of a guilty conscience.

Herod was a man with choices, even as we have choices every day of our lives.

Somewhere in his psyche, Herod sensed that John was a righteous and holy person. Even though Herod was perplexed after listening to John, he liked to listen to him.

In Scene Two, we learn Herod had John arrested because John stated "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.'' John condemned Herod's incestuous relationship with his brother's wife. Herod had a choice. He could act wisely or foolishly. Unfortunately, Herod, in his moral weakness, chose expediency and silenced John by throwing him into prison, but yet he protected him. Herod could have it both ways: a silenced John, but unharmed.

As Scene Three opens, preparations are underway for Herod's birthday party. It was to be a stag event for the government and military officials of the kingdom; the leading men of Galilee would be present.

He had made a rash vow at that party. Herodias, Herod's present wife, saw her chance. She suggested Salome dance, as entertainment. Herod was impressed. In his inebriated state, he made a foolish vow. "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.'' Salome was a dancer and not a thinker. So she went to her mother. Herodias saw her opportunity for revenge, and replied: "Ask for the head of John the Baptist''. Herod as a result was backed into a corner where his moral weakness prevailed. even though he was "deeply grieved'', he chose to save face before his guests and do the unthinkable. A stupid vow led to a bloody banquet platter. Rage, revenge, misplaced obedience, grief, pride -- choices.

As the curtain comes down on this drama, the scripture evokes a sense of love and tenderness: "When his disciples heard about it they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.'' It takes courage to stand up for principle in the face of opposition. John bravely declared what his conscience could not allow. We hear again that the Gospels do not promise a rose garden to followers of Jesus, who is Truth. But we have the promise, "I am with you always to the end of the age''. (Matthew 28:20).

In the narrative of John the Baptist's death, we see again the profound importance of the choices we make in our lives. Throughout the Hebrew and Greek scriptures, there is the admonition to choose. May God grant us the strength and courage to choose with Joshua, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord'' (Joshua 24:15). May you find inspiration in Joan Wyrick Ellison's poem: God Makes the Grass to Grow (Psalm 147:8).

God makes the grass to grow upon the mountain.

God makes the stream to flow in desert barren.

God takes the most unlikely seed or doubting human foe and makes them grow upon the mountain.

God takes our hopes and dreams and makes them grow upon the mountain.

God takes the mustard seed and makes us know all things are possible.

God takes the weakest human heart and faith most slow and makes them grow upon the mountain.

God makes it possible for trees to bloom with fruit in season.

God goes before us and prepares the room in heavenly mansion.

God conquers death with empty tomb and life eternal.

God makes the grass to grow upon the mountain.

Prayer: Loving and gracious God, help us this day to choose your way for this life. Guide us, enliven and inspire us in all our comings and goings, in all our thoughts and actions.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.