I am grateful for so many things this afternoon. I am grateful to be back in the City. I am grateful to be part of this amazing service. And, along with all of you, I am grateful for Mary. You're an important part of the evening, but no one really expects you to say very much.
Preachers are fond of erecting structure where there is none.
First, the calling. Here's this picture of the prophet Isaiah, who sees this tremendous vision, where God is so big, so all encompassing, that just the hem of God's robe fills the whole temple. And Isaiah realizes what a mess he is. And God cleans him up. Not to be disrespectful or anything, but I've come to be semi-wary of God's revelations.