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Sometimes I feel as though I’ve been speaking in Martian. When I try to talk of current crises or needs nearby, people often put on a plastic smile and stare at something over my shoulder, or suddenly need to consult their iPhone about the latest TVland gossip. What, you too?? I’ve been told that I work too hard; overwhelmed by year-end appeals, I tend to throw them ALL in the circular file. But readings for this Second [Sunday] in Advent yield a shared urgency to keep on…

MALACHI is one of the minor prophets who was enlightened for a specific assignment and then dismissed. But in 3:1-4 we read about the foreseen messenger of the covenant, who will bring such a fire that the base metals will burn off the gold and silver, and the People will please YHWH “as in the days of old”. Readers may well ask, ” What part of my life needs refining? and will it hurt?” And the answer according to Malachi probably is, “A great deal of it; and yes, it will hurt”. But that day is on its way, he says, gradually unfolding before and within us. We could deflect this to describe the Surrounding Culture–yet this analogy is for down deep within us…

When St. Paul wrote to the PHILIPPIANS (1: 3-11) he seemed to expect that The Day of the Lord would come tomorrow or soon thereafter. He spoke to them about COMPLETING the process, and left little room for the ongoing creative aspect of the redeemed earth. He prayed that “your love may overflow more and more with knowledge….having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ….” Each Advent that comes and goes reminds us one more time that the immanence of God is right now.

LUKE 3:1-6 tells of the coming of John the Baptizer “proclaiming a baptism for the forgiveness of sin(s)”. Then comes a remembrance of II Isaiah (memorialized in music by G. F. Handel–can we read this without singing it?), “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord…'” Although John had momentary success, his novelty soon wore off and folks turned elsewhere for their entertainment. Did he feel as though he were speaking Martian? There’s an urgency here that addresses each generation about their callousness concerning poverty, homelessness and hunger. Each Advent displays these social needs as well as a personal need to become more sensitive to our own wildernesses.

In the musical “1776”, George Washington sends his regular request to Congress, finishing “Is anybody there? Does anybody care??” What, you too? Fellow Martians UNITE!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Join me each Tuesday to be both comforted and afflicted by the readings assigned to the upcoming weekend–at horacebrownking.com

The early saints expected the “second coming” of Jesus right away. But the years toddled on, and we post-modern Christians put little emphasis on this. Yet all people seem to have an appreciation of what might happen in God’s Good Time, anticipating the ending of things as we know them in order to establish a new (and righteous) domain. The First Sunday of Advent marks a new beginning, the opening of the liturgical year, and a hope that we can get things right this time around…. Readings to be heard this weekend may cut through Holiday planning with a prophetic word about life when God breaks in.

JEREMIAH 33:14-16 may be the key-note passaages for the Season, if not the Year. The Righteous Branch from King David will “execute justice and righteousness in the land”. Jeremiah was writing, of course, to the Chosen People; but Christians may and should expand on this tribal Messiah to include the Lord of ALL creation. YHWH speaks through the prophet of a certain future, a newness to be gradually revealed. We start Advent with a longing for justice and righteousness even though the world may be changing and the sky falling all about us. We should also note that the Messiah incarnate was an improvement over what Jeremiah’s audience was expecting…

St. Paul wrote to the early congregations scattered in the eastern end of the Roman Empire; and to the THESSALONIANS (I, 3:9-13) about the immanent changes which God was making all around them. “May (God) so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of the Lord Jesus with all his saints.” How do we prepare for this ultimate incarnation? By “abounding in love”. But what about all those unloveable persons? Even them?? Easy for HIM to say! This is gonna take some work, I can tell you.

At the ending of Jesus’ life and ministry, LUKE 21:25-36 has him instructing–and comforting–the disciples about the end times. Yes, there will be natural disasters and human uncertainties; but stand tall in the midst of them, praying and being alert. The redemption which is drawing near is not only personal but cultural and social: there are some systems which need to tumble before the New Age can take place. Just as Luke placed Mary’s song near the start of his account (1:46ff), now Jesus finishes (?) the story by presenting alternatives which are going to happen by God’s direction.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; For you I wait all day long. –Psalm 25: 4-5

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Join me every Tuesday as we’re confronted by scriptures to be read on the upcoming weekend.

Does anyone actually plan their “final words”? Celebrities old and young have had their Last Words recorded and sometimes even memorized. My Dad, a “Casablanca” fan, said, “So long, Joe; don’t take any wooden nickels.” Church-goers this weekend will be observing “Christ the King/Reign of Christ”, and will hear some last words which are meant to enlighten. We put aside our anxiety about Coming Days and prepare for a time of Thanksgiving, followed directly by anticipation of the coming Christ. Yet the systems of earth still groan around us, and we have to acknowledge that even though Christ IS in charge, many will go about creating their own political & military kingdoms…

King David was about to close the book on his life. He was considered a “good” king because he had united Israel: we’ve conveniently forgotten his ethical lapses. Nevertheless, in II SAMUEL 23:1-7, we read “the one who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God, is like the light of morning…” Last words remember not only that the Old is Gone, but anticipates that the New (morning) will Soon be Here! David spoke with the idea that his successor would also be venerated by the people; a New Day was at hand… As the Church year “ends”, we look forward with anticipation to that which God is doing next, even coming in person to demonstrate what could/should rule our lives.

The book of REVELATION is the scriptural “final word”, purportedly dealing with Last Things. Our passage today is 1:4b-8, which sets the tone for that which comes after by announcing the coming of Christ “in the clouds”. This is not to be a joyous occasion for the “tribes of the earth”, with their attempts at being No. 1–on the Last Day, only “the ruler of the kings of the earth” remains in power, and the plans of the world are scuttled. The Believing Church uses the imagery of the political scene for now, although we expect a much different equality and division of worth.

Pontius Pilate summoned Jesus and asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?” The dialogue in JOHN 18:33-37 contrasts the person of Jesus with the perceived power structure then in operation. Through the ages, these words continue to separate and claim a new creation, announcing an alternative understanding of the power system in vogue. We only need to observe our current broken systems of “defense” spending and overcrowded tenements, of fancy restaurants and children going hungry, of country clubs and Native American reservations to realize that changes have to be made…

“The King” has the final word in our lives. Once upon a time, the King was in charge of everything; his word was law. God in wisdom sent a King to be an alternative, to announce a New Day in which we subjects need not cringe from a capricious government but rather enjoy a freedom of style as forgiven ones.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

I try to record how scripture to be read on the upcoming weekend encounters us, every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

Eliza Doolittle, the waif flower seller, sings “Just you wait, ‘enry ‘iggins, just you wait! You’ll be broke and I’ll have money; will I help you? Don’t be funny!…Just. you. wait!” She looked for a radical reversal of fortunes–just like so many of us do. Wistful thinking? To be sure. Yet this is an acknowledgement that the world’s systems need to be reformed. Some extremists will affirm that there’s NOTHING good in this world–but yet God created, and called it “good”. Scripture to be read on the upcoming weekend explores the belief that God’s ultimate will is for the refinement of the broken, for the healing of the world…

We begin with the Song of Hannah, I SAMUEL 2:1-10: after much prayer and waiting, Hannah the barren has become pregnant, and her life is changed from mourning to anticipation! “Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth….(YHWH) lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes.” You may wish to compare this with The Magnificat (Luke 1:46 ff), Mary’s song upon knowing that she was pregnant with Jesus. Both of these hymns acknowledge that AT LAST God is making a move by bearing holy persons into an out-of-balance culture. Michael Pasquarello III writes, “the vision of reality sung by Hannah invites us to see the world as God intends, to behold what God is bringing about. It is a vision that may sound surprising to some and may even be threatening for others.” (FEASTING on the WORD, B 4:299)

We continue to read the Letter to the HEBREWS, today in Chapter 10: 11-25. The author is glimpsing the New Order which pertains under the priesthood of Christ. The verses which skip out at me are the final ones: “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Evidently we who would be members of the New Order are urged to participate in these changes as they progress.

Following MARK’s carefully developed scheme, vv.13:1-8 tells that Jesus and his pals have finally arrived at Jerusalem just before Passover. The Galileans are rubbernecking at the big buildings, especially the Temple–Herod the Great made sure that this bastion of the nation was mightily constructed. The Lord told them to put all this in perspective: “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon the other; all will be thrown down.” Some will say that he was foretelling the Roman invasion of 67 AD; many will say that he was referring to his body as “the Temple”…or did he mean that even this human-built national centrepiece was vulnerable as a New Day dawns?? There WILL be some changes made! Who will remain faithful? Who will endure the necessary devastation of the Now for the improvement coming?

As we approach Advent–the Season for New Things–I appreciate this carol from Finland, here translated by Olav Lee…. Lost in the night doth the heathen yet languish, longing for morning the darkness to vanquish, plaintively heaving a sigh full of anguish: will not day come soon? Will not day come soon?? Sorrowing brother, in darkness yet dwelling, dawned hath the day of a radiance excelling, death’s dreaded darkness forever dispelling; Christ is coming soon! Christ is coming soon!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My complacency is challenged every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com by lessons intended to be read during worship on the upcoming weekend.

We’re always asking the unspoken question: how much do I need to give to God, and how much can I hold back for myself? Many congregations are now holding their annual “stewardship” (i.e., send money) campaigns, and urging each of us to be tithers (10%) of our income. TEN PERCENT! Not much, when you think about it; especially in a time in which income equity is so evasive… In the lessons you’ll hear this weekend, two widows will be introduced; plus some thoughts on how Jesus went the Whole Way in order to be a priest forever…

The story from RUTH 3:1-5, 4:13-17 is about sex, no way around it. In a culture where widows were dependent upon their children and relatives for support, it was important and fiscally sound to get a husband to care for you as soon as you could. So Naomi instigated Ruth’s seduction of rich Boaz, who promptly got Ruth pregnant. Being a good guy, Boaz made the arrangements to marry her: long story short, the baby was Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David the Perfect (?) King. Finally the holy story begins to make sense, and God seems to have won another one…

HEBREWS drags on and on about Christ’s role as Eternal Priest, as contrasted with the Hebrew High Priest. Here in 9:24-28 we experience the totality of Christ’s saving event, and in this totality mortals have a constant audience with their Creator. In some ways the earth has been “widowed”, that is, cut off from a providential sense of completeness. The writer here urges a renewed acceptance of Christ’s ultimate importance in human living on EACH side of death, being restored to Real Life. “Thanks to Jesus, salvation no longer requires an annual renewal sticker.” (Peter M. Wallace, FEASTING on the WORD, B 4:281)

In MARK’s Gospel account, we’ve been “marking” (!) Jesus’ way to Jerusalem. In 12:38-44, we find him and his pals in the Temple watching folks drop their offering into the Treasury Box–some with great fanfare. But here comes a shabby, down-at-heel widow who puts in her “mite”–Jesus says to his friends, “This poor widow has put in more than all those [richer people] who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Went the whole nine yards, didn’t she! How much faith did she have to believe that the God who helped her live today will help her live tomorrow??

Well-meaning but Biblically-illiterate people have told me that their minute contribution is but “the widow’s mite”–and I’ve told them that I’m glad to hear it, for it means that they’ve given EVERYTHING! How then to go all the way for and with God? The final hymn at my funeral (I hope) will be an old one–“All the way my savior leads me; O the fullness of his love! Perfect rest to me is promised In my Father’s house above. When my spirit, clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day, This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way.” And please sing a loud and resounding AMEN!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Please join me each Tuesday to be confronted and changed by scripture to be read on the upcoming weekend: at horacebrownking.com