My Blog

The T-shirt read, “Jesus is coming soon:  look busy!”  I’ve seen some variations on this.  But here we are, rising upon the first Sunday in Advent.  Twenty-first Century folks are so far removed from “Bible Days” that most either have given up hope, or don’t really believe in the Day of the Lord….    Scriptures many of us will hear in worship this weekend will again confront us and goad us into at least  thinking about this Coming.

I love to preach on the Old Testament during Advent,  and if I were creating a sermon this week it would center on Jeremiah 33:14-16.   The usually gloomy prophet says that “the days are surely coming” — to fulfill the ancient promise, to bring back the kingly line of David, and “to execute justice and righteousness in the land”.  This can get lost in nostalgia, a dead-end.   The Promised One isn’t a purveyor of the Good Old Days, but a renewer of the Future.

St. Paul’s affectionate letter to the Thessalonians seems to expect the Lord Jesus to come quickly, and so he urges his flock to “increase and abound in love for one another and for all”.  Seems to agree with the tidings of comfort and joy in our Christmas cards and carols.
Part of Being Ready is our embrace of holiness — in our investments of money & energy even when Santa Claws.

The physician came into the ER and asked, “How’s the kid who swallowed the dollar bill?”  The nurse replied, “There’s no change yet.”

When are those moments that separate time?  Those that say, “That was Old, this is New.”  Where are life’s watersheds, the knife-edges which divide what used to be from that which is now (and forever?)?   The Scripture readings many of you will hear on Sunday address this sometimes puzzling and frustrating phenomenon of change….

The beginnings of the story of Samuel tell of his mama, Hannah, who as yet had no children.  She thought she was being punished by God, so she poured her heart out in prayer.  After some confusion, old Eli the priest promised her an answer to her prayer.  Shortly thereafter, Samuel — Sought of the Lord — was born.  Things would never be the same again, either for Hannah, or Eli, or Israel!  (I Samuel 1:4-20)

“Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; earth’s joys grow dim, its glories fade away;                            Change and decay in all around I see — O Thou, who changest not, abide with me.”                                 –Henry F. Lyte

The Writer to the Hebrews speaks of a Divine Patience, now that in the High Priesthood of Christ all things have become accomplished.   God evidently is content to wait it out while Creation changes!  “[Christ] sat down at the right hand of God, and since then has been waiting until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.” (Hebrews 10:12-13)

Q: How many Christians does it take to change a lightbulb?                                                                    A: Change?  Who needs change?!

Mark’s Gospel is a set-up for Jesus’ resurrection — and also for our Advent anticipations of the Incarnation which changes Before into After.  “Do you see these great buildings?” he said.  “Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”   Be careful what you count on!  There are always Romans waiting in the wings to wreck your temple!  But don”t be alarmed:  despite the wars & earthquakes & famines (and other daily crises), “the end is still to come”.  (Mark 13:1-8)

Change is inevitable, along with death & taxes.  New highways obliterate old landmarks.  Playing cards isn’t the sin that my grandparents thought it was.  Does anyone still remember how to dial a telephone?  How do we live as Believers in Christ while “time makes ancient good uncouth”?  Not to curl up & groan, fer sure!  Hannah prayed; Barnabas encouraged; saints through the ages have seized the day for faithful acts of mercy and devotion….  How do you wait?

“Time, like an ever-flowing stream, bears all her sons (sic) away;                                                          they fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the break of day…

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,                                                                    be thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.”

God Bless Us, Every One                      H   B   King

During this Season after Pentecost — some traditions call it “Kingdomtide” — we hear readings concerning God’s Steadfast Love toward the hungry, the homeless, the rogues and the wanderers.  Since most of us are, or recently have been, this is a time of comfort and nurture, of finding a home when the cold winds blow.

God took care of Ruth (chapters 3 & 4) even though she was from Moab (gasp!).  God used Naomi, the mother-in-law as a vehicle of wisdom:  “go sleep with Boaz, and he’ll marry you.”  Boaz was mature and rich; we know of his kindness, since he allowed the poor to glean his field.   Not only was Ruth cared for materially, but delivered a son who was to be King David’s grandpa!

We continue to read in the Letter to the Hebrews (9:24-28) about the sole efficacy of Christ to be our Ultimate High Priest.  Contemplating the Kingdom, we are directed there, shepherded, through Christ’s giving of himself.

And a double reading from Mark’s Gospel (12:38-44:  Jesus cautions against the obviously Righteous and self-assured, whose spirits are shallow despite all their fancy clothes.  Instead, look at this poor widow, who quietly put her last penny into the Temple treasury!   This isn’t necessarily a lesson about giving, but an exercise in how radically we dare trust God to care for us in our poverty.  Truth to tell, we can’t take our fancy clothes with us; so enjoy ’em now, before we’re required to put all of what’s left into God’s hands…  Lord, have mercy.

God doesn’t play “How Much Do You Love Me?”   Yet there’s a Divine conviction that the Lover is satisfied even more than the Beloved!  

God Bless Us, Every One                   H    B    King