Jeremiah 33:14-16
Luke 21:25-36
Advent is a time of paradox. For the most part we get these lovely promising readings from the Old Testament. Ones which give us a promise of better things and then we get either Revelation or the apocalyptic literature from the gospel. Today is not any different.
Jeremiah promises that sometime in the future there will be a fulfillment of David's line. A legacy that will encompass justice and righteousness. Then in Luke Jesus tells us to watch for the signs of when God's kingdom will be near and things will not be right with the world at all. Actually Jeremiah is writing in a time when not much is right with the world of Israel at all. Jesus comes into an Israel occupied by invaders who want to make things all their way. These promises are written to a people for which everything seems like it is bad and is going to last forever, yet here is where hope is most needed.
This is the thing, it doesn't assure us of any easy road, or any life which is not tough. Jesus and the prophets always tell us, warn us of how hard and complicated we and others make life. Yet we are not alone and the promises of something wonderful should draw us into the unique paradox of being a child of God.
I've read many World War II books lately, this last one The Ragged Edge of Night was based on someone's life and with all their being they defied Hitler in the only way they knew how. Yes it was devious, yes it was dangerous, yes some days it brought despair and yet through it all this persons relationship with God strengthened. The other would describe times where the man felt lead by the Holy Spirit and what signs represented this connection for him. Even in the face of death this person held onto the promised hope God has given us and showed it to others in the village. Whether it was in creating a band and adhering to the spy for the Nazi's vanity through it instead of leading a Hitler Youth he took the chance of resisting.
This is where Advent points us. To behold the paradox of hard times and breath resistance into it. To keep praying, talking to God, to be opened to the leading of the Spirit, and to open ourselves for the nearness of the Kingdom of God. This is the work we are to be involved. The work of planting promise in the midst of difficulty. Holding out promise is one of the things which draws us near, near to God and each other.
What words can I say to draw us near, into the arms of God. Draw us into promise and hope and not only us, but a world who needs desperately to see it. To have it planted inside each soul where all the nightmares of living don't strip it away. We all can try, try our best to bring to each heart, each dark place the promise of something better. So go, go and plant it where it will take root and never doubt what it will show to a hurting world.
Luke 21:25-36
Advent is a time of paradox. For the most part we get these lovely promising readings from the Old Testament. Ones which give us a promise of better things and then we get either Revelation or the apocalyptic literature from the gospel. Today is not any different.
Jeremiah promises that sometime in the future there will be a fulfillment of David's line. A legacy that will encompass justice and righteousness. Then in Luke Jesus tells us to watch for the signs of when God's kingdom will be near and things will not be right with the world at all. Actually Jeremiah is writing in a time when not much is right with the world of Israel at all. Jesus comes into an Israel occupied by invaders who want to make things all their way. These promises are written to a people for which everything seems like it is bad and is going to last forever, yet here is where hope is most needed.
This is the thing, it doesn't assure us of any easy road, or any life which is not tough. Jesus and the prophets always tell us, warn us of how hard and complicated we and others make life. Yet we are not alone and the promises of something wonderful should draw us into the unique paradox of being a child of God.
I've read many World War II books lately, this last one The Ragged Edge of Night was based on someone's life and with all their being they defied Hitler in the only way they knew how. Yes it was devious, yes it was dangerous, yes some days it brought despair and yet through it all this persons relationship with God strengthened. The other would describe times where the man felt lead by the Holy Spirit and what signs represented this connection for him. Even in the face of death this person held onto the promised hope God has given us and showed it to others in the village. Whether it was in creating a band and adhering to the spy for the Nazi's vanity through it instead of leading a Hitler Youth he took the chance of resisting.
This is where Advent points us. To behold the paradox of hard times and breath resistance into it. To keep praying, talking to God, to be opened to the leading of the Spirit, and to open ourselves for the nearness of the Kingdom of God. This is the work we are to be involved. The work of planting promise in the midst of difficulty. Holding out promise is one of the things which draws us near, near to God and each other.
What words can I say to draw us near, into the arms of God. Draw us into promise and hope and not only us, but a world who needs desperately to see it. To have it planted inside each soul where all the nightmares of living don't strip it away. We all can try, try our best to bring to each heart, each dark place the promise of something better. So go, go and plant it where it will take root and never doubt what it will show to a hurting world.
Comments
Post a Comment