Advent 1B.12; Isa 63:16b-64:7; 1Cor 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37
Happy New Year! …. And let’s emphasize “happy”.
This year is full of promise. This year is full of potential.
"God? Are you really there?" Jimmy said out loud. To his astonishment a voice came from the clouds. "Yes, Jimmy? What can I do for you?"Seizing the opportunity, Jimmy asked, "God? What is a million years like to you?" Knowing that Jimmy could not understand the concept of infinity, God responded in a manner to which Jimmy could relate. "A million years to me, Jimmy, is like a minute." "Oh," said Jimmy. "Well, then, what's a million dollars like to you?" "A million dollars to me, Jimmy, is like a penny." "Wow!" remarked Jimmy, getting an idea. "You're so generous... can I have one of your pennies?"
God replied, "Sure thing, Jimmy! Just a minute."
Little Jimmy wasn't ready for that response was he?
Our gospel seems an unlikely scripture for Advent. It has nothing to do with Mary & Joseph, Magi, or shepherds. Instead it’s story about a wealthy landowner going on a trip. The servants left behind were given charge of the estate & when the master returned he would check on their stewardship. This is a story about being prepared. In that sense then this is an Advent story, for this is the season of preparedness.
lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1Cor 1:4-8 Every gift already? … could this be true?
With every fiber of my being I believe God wants us to be happy. I believe God gave us this yearning for happiness that constantly preoccupies 2 our hearts. It seems God has placed this yearning within each human heart as a spiritual “GPS” designed to lead us to our destiny.
As a parent who takes a sincere & active interest in the lives of their children, God sent his only Son to respond to humanity’s yearning for happiness, & to teach us how to satisfy that yearning. God sent his Son into the world to reconcile us with divinity, certainly, but (and never forget this)
Where do I look for happiness in my life?
How much of my search is directed toward what God has to give, and how much is directed toward what the world has to give?
Sue Monk Kidd tells about when her daughter was small & got the dubious part of the Bethlehem star in a Christmas play. After her first rehearsal, she burst through the door with her costume, a 5-pointed star lined in shiny gold tinsel designed to drape over her like a sandwich board.
"What exactly will you be doing in the play?" her mother asked her.
"I just stand there and shine," her daughter answered. (Story: esermons.com/Ritz)
At this Advent Liturgy remember WHO is waiting.
What shall we do with this eternity in time? The servants continued to work as they anticipated the master’s return & the gatekeeper continued to watch. Working & watching imply each other: if every moment in history draws meaning from God, then nothing is negligible & every thread is a part of the pattern God weaves. Authentic action already is divine encounter. Paying attention is both a religious duty & a sacred possibility.
Let the sacred possibility shine through you today.
God is waiting for you to be ready.
Happy New Year! …. And let’s emphasize “happy”.
This year is full of promise. This year is full of potential.
This year is full of “sacred possibility”.
A potter does not create a clay vessel without a clear vision for its use & beauty. Isaiah saw this: Yet, O Lord, you are our father; we are clay and you the potter: we are the work of your hands. We love what we create.
Now, let us consider Advent: a time to watch, a time to prepare.
Yet, WHO is really waiting in this season?
It’s hard for us to understand God’s way of creating. Where is Jesus? Why the delay in returning? God's clock is certainly out of sync with ours as Little Jimmy learned one day laying on a hill in the middle of a meadow on a warm spring day. Watching the white clouds roll by, he marveled at their shape, and soon began to think about God."God? Are you really there?" Jimmy said out loud. To his astonishment a voice came from the clouds. "Yes, Jimmy? What can I do for you?"Seizing the opportunity, Jimmy asked, "God? What is a million years like to you?" Knowing that Jimmy could not understand the concept of infinity, God responded in a manner to which Jimmy could relate. "A million years to me, Jimmy, is like a minute." "Oh," said Jimmy. "Well, then, what's a million dollars like to you?" "A million dollars to me, Jimmy, is like a penny." "Wow!" remarked Jimmy, getting an idea. "You're so generous... can I have one of your pennies?"
God replied, "Sure thing, Jimmy! Just a minute."
Little Jimmy wasn't ready for that response was he?
Our gospel seems an unlikely scripture for Advent. It has nothing to do with Mary & Joseph, Magi, or shepherds. Instead it’s story about a wealthy landowner going on a trip. The servants left behind were given charge of the estate & when the master returned he would check on their stewardship. This is a story about being prepared. In that sense then this is an Advent story, for this is the season of preparedness.
Consider with me a moment that God Identifies with us & that Advent is a time to get ready for the Return of Christ. (Story: esermons.com)
First Paul tells us an incredible truth: I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him … so that you are notlacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1Cor 1:4-8 Every gift already? … could this be true?
With every fiber of my being I believe God wants us to be happy. I believe God gave us this yearning for happiness that constantly preoccupies 2 our hearts. It seems God has placed this yearning within each human heart as a spiritual “GPS” designed to lead us to our destiny.
God is the author of our desire for happiness.
“The modern search for happiness is often governed by individualism, hedonism, minimalism - with the usual results of greed, selfishness, exploitation, & deception. And yet, as these philosophies become more & more the focus of modern lifestyles, people seem to be filled with a greater discontent & unhappiness with every passing day.As a parent who takes a sincere & active interest in the lives of their children, God sent his only Son to respond to humanity’s yearning for happiness, & to teach us how to satisfy that yearning. God sent his Son into the world to reconcile us with divinity, certainly, but (and never forget this)
…God also sent Jesus to show us how to live.
The philosophy of Christ is the ultimate philosophy of human happiness. It isn’t just a way of life, it is the way of life. And, the philosophy of Christ is one of self donation. This is the great paradox of God’s teaching. In our misguided adventures, we may catch glimpses of happiness as we live outside of Christ. You may even taste happiness for a moment living a life contrary to Christ, but these are stolen moments. (Source: Rediscover Advent, Kelley)
They are just shadows of something … infinitely greater.”
Questions for Advent:Where do I look for happiness in my life?
How much of my search is directed toward what God has to give, and how much is directed toward what the world has to give?
Does the balance need to shift?
Sue Monk Kidd tells about when her daughter was small & got the dubious part of the Bethlehem star in a Christmas play. After her first rehearsal, she burst through the door with her costume, a 5-pointed star lined in shiny gold tinsel designed to drape over her like a sandwich board.
"What exactly will you be doing in the play?" her mother asked her.
"I just stand there and shine," her daughter answered. (Story: esermons.com/Ritz)
At this Advent Liturgy remember WHO is waiting.
What shall we do with this eternity in time? The servants continued to work as they anticipated the master’s return & the gatekeeper continued to watch. Working & watching imply each other: if every moment in history draws meaning from God, then nothing is negligible & every thread is a part of the pattern God weaves. Authentic action already is divine encounter. Paying attention is both a religious duty & a sacred possibility.
Let the sacred possibility shine through you today.
God is waiting for you to be ready.