Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36
In the Gospel lesson from Luke, Jesus, like Jeremiah before him, brings a word of confrontation followed by a word of comfort.
Advent is a season when we do some serious introspection that will undoubtedly confront us with who we are and who we are not. It is through this self-examination that we open ourselves so we can hear the word of the Lord and get ourselves ready to celebrate the birth of Christ, who is the Word made flesh. His word brings confrontation, forgiveness, and renewal.
Right now, as we look at the present and toward the future, many of us do not feel the sense of hope that we need. We are now in a period of confrontation. It is only after we have heard and processed the reality of confrontation that we are broken open and are ready to hear and receive a word of comfort. That comfort is found in the words of Jesus when he says, “The Kingdom of God is near.” In other words, time is not static; it is dynamic because God is at work. This gives us hope.
Jesus also tells us that we must be cautious and mindful so that we do not weigh down our hearts with worry, but rather we are to move ahead in faith as the Kingdom of God is opened up for us, and we are given insights for action.
Hope is not something that we have because we grit our teeth and say, “I believe.”
Hope is not something that we create or manufacture.
Hope is a gift of the Spirit and we begin to see what we can do and are called to do.
As the Psalmist says, “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.”
Submitted by The Rev. Larry A. Deyss, HR
