Back to the Future

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL: LUKE 21:25-36 (MESSAGE)

“It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.  And then—then!—they’ll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style—a glorious welcome! When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!”

 

He told them a story. “Look at a fig tree. Any tree for that matter. When the leaves begin to show, one look tells you that summer is right around the corner. The same here—when you see these things happen, you know God’s kingdom is about here. Don’t brush this off: I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.

“But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”

Be on your guard.  Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping.  Wow!  Could Jesus be talking to us in the 21^st century?  In light of last week’s Black Thursday/Friday shopping extravaganza and the suddenness with which we find ourselves once again in the midst of the craziness of the holiday season, how is Jesus calling us to live differently?  How are we being invited to observe the season of Advent, a season of great expectation and energetic waiting, without being consumed by the consumerism around us or without being dulled by all the forced holiday cheer?  How are we being called to sit with people for whom the holidays are the opposite of merry and bright?  How are we being called to pray for ourselves, for one another and for the world?

Please join us for the first Sunday of Advent, December 2 at 10am in Christ Church for a service of hope and Holy Communion.  Together we will prepare the sanctuary for the season into which we are journeying with fragrant greens and sacred light that cannot be diminished by the demands of the outside world.  Hope to see you there!