Good News to the Oppressed!

What is a prophet? Back in Seminary Days–the last century–we learned that a prophet was someone who spoke for God, someone who announced what God was about to do…or had already begun. This Third Weekend of Advent we’re to meet three prophetic voices who speak to the community of the People of God. More than interesting history, they have much to say to this People today: about justice, about hope, about God’s not giving up on us.

The first prophet we meet will be Isaiah, or someone in his tradition, speaking encouragement to the renewed Jerusalem being built back after the Exile. He announces that a New Age is at hand: “He has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners…” (61:1) Here is a systemic change and transformation: can it be that an in-breaking God could realign our community? “…I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendents shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples….”(v.8,9)

The second prophet is the Apostle Paul, here writing to the Thessalonians. “So do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.” (I, 5:19-21) This new community which God is building is to anticipate an ongoing reprise of the angelic song of the night all Heaven broke loose! “May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely….The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.” (vv.23-24)

Our third prophet is John the Baptizer who “was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.” (John 1:8) “Who are you?”, the world asked. “What do you say about yourself?” Fair questions for Advent; would that they’d be asked of US! John replied to the world that he was the Announcer for Someone Great, who exceeded all of their expectations, “one whom you do not know.” (1:26) Does our reply deal with bringing Good News to the oppressed?

Donna Schaper gives us a prayer for today– O God, we know that salvation is at hand, and yet we walk as a people in danger, a people unconvinced that your time is nearly here, that it has in some ways already arrived. We walk as though there is a hand at our back, pushing us downward, keeping us from a steady march through this Advent season. Shelter us from fear. Console us. Help us understand what it is that we worry about, and then place us back on your path. Send us straight to Bethlehem. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God Bless Us, Every One… Horace Brown King