Happy New Year! Here we go again: the waiting, the anticipating. The longing for One who will banish war and calm our fears about welcoming the sojourner. Gary W. Charles reminds us, “The stories of Advent are dug from the harsh soil of human struggle and the littered landscape of dashed dreams. They are told from the vista where sin still reigns supreme and hope has gone on vacation.” (FEASTING ON THE WORD, C 1:3)
Jeremiah writes to the remnant of Israel in exile in Babylon, those who still mourn for the glory days and who have forgotten how to hope. “The days are surely coming, says the Lord….I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” (33:14-15) More than HolyHistory, the passage reminds waiters of every age that they still have a Story to finish. Jeremiah pushes us to see God’s future, even drowning as we are in Today.
The Thessalonian Christians thought it was almost too good to be true! St. Paul warmly thanks God for their discipleship, and prays for their perfection. (I,3:9-13) He looked for the sudden coming of Christ–the second Advent–in the midst of Greek and Roman politics and posturing. Paul’s agenda is to encourage a community in process, and to “restore whatever is lacking” as the Church waits. What will Jesus bring?
Luke’s Gospel remembers how Jesus confirmed that Time marches toward a Future. (21:25-36) As Monty Python said, “And now, for something completely different!”. We’ll be confused by the chaos of the roaring sea and the shaking of the “heavenly powers”. But look! “…stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (A colleague who knows more Greek than I do says that “to stand up” means “to unfold yourself”.) “When you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (v.31)
Most of society will scoff at Proclaimers who dare speak of a coming alternative to exploitation, selfishness and fear. Many Christmas fans would prefer to skip over Advent and its acknowledgement that Perfection has not yet arrived! Yet this is an important Season, as we lift up a living hope that God’s dream will be soon realized… What signs of the Kingdom do you recognize? Are you one??
God Bless Us, Every One. Horace Brown King
My thoughts on Scripture lessons for the upcoming weekend can be found here on Facebook every Tuesday.
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