Dear Friends
The 28th of this month marks the beginning of a new year in the Church Calendar – Advent.
The word “Advent” means “arrival”, and in the weeks following the 28th, we will be learning to recognise the arrival of Christ among us – a real message of hope.
The first Sunday in Advent always focuses on what we now call the return of Christ. And this is to remind us that our world is going somewhere. There is a purpose, a direction and a meaning to the created order, and God is at work to fulfil that purpose – to bring all things into wholeness and unity in Christ.
In the Gospel Reading for the first Sunday of Advent (Luke 21:25-36), Jesus is speaking about the coming destruction of the Temple and the conquest of Israel by the Roman Empire. The language he uses is taken straight out of the Old Testament prophets – especially the apocalyptic messages of Daniel. For example verse 27 has echoes of Daniel 7:13 – which Jesus’ hearers would have recognised.
Whenever biblical writers wanted to express the inexpressible glory and power of God’s activity in the world, they used images of natural upheaval. Their purpose is not to give a journalist’s report of future events, but to communicate the impact of God’s presence on the entire universe.
And so the purpose of the imagery here is to show that when God acts, the effect resonates throughout creation. Jesus draws on Daniel’s vision of heaven to offer hope to those who are distressed (saying to them –don’t worry, things will get better – that is what the vision of heaven refers to here).
We need to be careful, then, not to take these images too literally, but to listen carefully for the message Jesus is trying to communicate – which is expressed in the parable of verses 29 & 30: “Watch out!” Live a life that keeps you mindful of God’s presence and purpose, and pray at all times for God’s strength to remain faithful when tough times strike. Jesus therefore invites people to trust in him and his words when their world is falling apart.
Do not be afraid. Do not worry. Fear, worry and anxiety do not solve any problems. Fear, worry and anxiety are about things which do not yet exist and most probably will never exist as we imagine them. “Why worry? If you worry, you will die; if you don’t worry, you will die. So why worry?”
So friends, no matter what you face today – no matter the uncertainties that we may be facing individually or collectively, ask yourself these questions:
- How can I be more aware of God’s presence (arrival/advent) and activity in my life (and that of the world) today?
- How can I trust God more and pray more, asking for God’s strength to remain faithful when things are not as good as I want them to be.
- How can I bring hope to others?
Peace and Grace
