Morning Has Broken

What IS that noise? and why is Marie kicking me? “Your alarm is going off!” “unnnh” So I press the appropriate button, and 10 minutes later the same drama unfolds. And maybe again. My New Year’s resolution was to get up earlier and stop wasting the morning–and that involves going to bed earlier, as well. So far, I’m only moderately successful. The crack of dawn? Morning has broken…

“The word of the Lord came to Jonah a SECOND time…” (Jonah 3:1-5) “And [Jonah] cried out, ‘Forty days more, and Ninevah shall be overthrown!'” Is this the time, finally, for the Day of the Lord? We’ve been poised on the doorstep, waiting for the gates to open: is the Eternal Present really here? Will it ever be morning?

Libertines would love what Paul wrote to the Corinthians! (I,7:29-31) He tells them to forget that they’re married! Or that they’re grieving or rejoicing, buying or selling… “for the present form of this world is passing away.” He’s not being licentious, but saying that a New Age is at hand, an age which presents an end to earthly contracts because the Kingdom of God is now here! “The appointed time has grown short…” If, says Paul, we clear our agendas, then–THEN!–we can better participate in what God is building.

“Now after John {the Baptizer} was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying,’The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near…'” (Mark 1:14-15) “Mark begins like an alarm clock, persistently declaring the time and demanding some response.” (Ted A. Smith) No longer can we dream about Tomorrow–deferring our acts of mercy & kindness, cleansing & worship–but are smacked with the immediacy of Today! Good Lord, it IS morning…

My father, may he rest in peace, was one of those guys who could bounce out of bed and sing in the bathroom. My own style is to slowly unfold and slither into the day with one eye reluctantly half-open. Any sounds I may issue are definitely not singing. I wouldn’t mind if morning WAS broken! Nevertheless, the light has dawned on saint & sinner alike, and I guess we’d better get at it…

God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King