|
First
Reading
|
Psalm |
Epistle |
Gospel |
| Isaiah 2:1–5 |
Psalm
122 |
Romans 13:11–14 |
Matthew 24:36–44 |
Jesus describes people busy with their normal schedule, outside working in the field or inside the house, preparing a meal. Because they are so preoccupied with their own routine, the appearance of a sudden change takes them by surprise and they are utterly confounded. With the reference to Noah, this seems to be an explicit warning that we had better be on our guard or an impeding disaster may overtake us. Yet in the context of Advent, Jesus’ words reveal a much larger prospective. True, Noah spent many months building an ark before the rains came, but Noah first and foremost listened to God. Because he was not so preoccupied with the sound of his own drum, he heard a different voice, a voice beyond and deeper than just the vocabulary of his own wisdom. The season of Advent, while it contains a warning, is not simply trying to scare us with predictions of impending doom. Advent wants us to be open and prepared for something good and beneficial. In this season, as the days are becoming shorter, the advent wreath is a symbol of lighting more candles until we are past the point of maximum darkness and the days become longer again. In the midst of holiday tension, rush, resentment and envy, Advent whispers in our ear,” be prepared not for disappointment, but for a manifestation of refreshing and healing joy.
Psychologists would tell us that optimistic people tend to view setbacks and failures as one time only occurrences. It is like having a bad hair day, but fully expecting tomorrow to be better. Pessimistic people tend to view setbacks as indicators of the future and thereby worry about the morrow. Wise athletic coaches know that attitude is critical and often appears to spark the momentum that changes the result of the game. Good teams, who look for the breaks, make the breaks.
Advent, in effect, is an optimistic season. It sees the future as an opportunity for human redemption and an opening in the dull, discouraging routine. It leads us away from simply mourning the past, of harboring jealousy and envy in the present, and fearing or trying to deny the future. People of Advent faith are “keep your fork people.”
For the Advent service bulletins, we have the custom of putting a sketch of the parish house doors on the cover. The sketch was done by a volunteer at Loaves & Fishes some years ago. Through these doors, five days a week, many come for a meal. They don’t know the menu, they don’t know exactly who will sit at the table with them, but they know that they will be welcomed, fed and treated with respect. Like the guests who come to be fed, as we pass through Advent’s doors, we come to be fed as the gifts of God’s Spirit are revealed and are reborn again and again in our world.
One of my favorite stories for Advent is an old tale about a wise rabbi and the abbot of the local monastery. There was a time in the monastery’s history when it looked like the community would close down. The brothers were getting on each other’s nerves and constantly bickering. They were all getting old and no new novices wished to join the order. Finally the abbot consulted his neighbor, the local rabbi. “What should we do to breath new life in our community? Who can help us?” “Ah,” replied the rabbi after hearing the abbot’s troubles, “I think you and the brothers should know that the redeemer you seek and hope for has come to live among you.” The abbot returned to the monastery and repeated the strange reply to the brothers. “The one we seek is living among us.” The brothers began questioning themselves, “Our redeemer, our saviour? But which one of us could it be?” Gradually they began to treat each other with uncommon gentleness and respect. This spirit was noticed by visitors to the monastery, and novices once again sought entrance into the community.
One of the many bumper stickers popular around Ithaca says practice random acts of kindness. I have ambivalent feelings when I see it, for Advent is asking, why do they have to be merely random? Take the opportunity to make room today for as many acts of kindness as you can. Don’t make them random, just do them. Just do it, advent whispers. The Holy Spirit is persistently calling us, more than once. The Holy Spirit’s calling card will never expire. Yet, yet with all the noise of the world, it is so easy for us to be too preoccupied to notice the unassuming kiss of a divine visitation. Hence, the doors of Advent beckon to us to come out of the cold and away from the noise of the world. Come, enter, and celebrate the wonderful season of waiting and expectation.
And I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.
