Word to the Wise
Sunday, November 28, 2021 - 1st Sunday of Advent - C
[Jer 33:14-16; 1 Thess 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36]The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the House of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her, "The Lord our justice." [Jeremiah] "But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand." [Luke] May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our LOrd Jesus with all his holy ones. [1 Thessalonians]
For some reason unknown to this preacher, the first and second comings of Jesus seem to overlap in Cycle C of the Sunday scriptures. Yes, with the First Sunday of Advent, we change vestment colors from green to purple and we start a new "cycle" of Sunday (A, B, C) and daily scriptures (Year I and II). The appearance of an Advent Wreath in the church (maybe in our homes?) can reinforce the importance of anticipation and preparation for the birth of the Lord that our liturgical tradition hopes to instill in us. It seems more and more difficult to do this when our consumer culture starts its own "advent" by putting up Christmas stuff even before Halloween!
Jeremiah reminds us that God keeps God's promise. St. Paul reminds us that as baptized persons we are called to certain standards of love and compassion as primary elements of our commitment! The Gospel According to Luke reminds us that all of this is done with both a proximate and ultimate goal in mind. How can we make these values REAL in this season when a toxic political climate slaps us in the face everyday and seems to influence even the leadership of our church!
Perhaps we can emphasize the nativity scene a bit more? Perhaps we can make serious commitments to listen compassionately to one another without name-calling and denunciations? Perhaps we can be aware of human beings in need instead of some kind of invading force at our borders or the borders of any land on this planet? Perhaps we can find ways to help those who don't realize that an abortion is a strange and terrible thing to do in a season when we celebrate a birth? Perhaps in our own homes we can do domestic versions of these bigger concerns? If we can, then Advent will truly mean what it is supposed to mean: PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD! AMEN