Reflection
inspired by Cheryl Lindsay, a United Church of Christ writer and editor
Matthew makes the coming of the Son of Man sound like an ominous disaster in this scripture! “Stay Awake – you don’t know when your Lord is coming – and it doesn’t sound good!”
Imagine living your life, going about your daily routine, and being unaware that a seismic change was imminent. That never happens to any of us does it? Well, yes, kind of, all the time! Loved ones die or have manic episodes, or go to jail. My house floods, and floods again, and an entirely different house floods 20 years later!
And speaking of Floods… Matthew has name-dropped Noah in this scripture passage. Noah’s flood had actually happened decades earlier, but would still in the memories of those present. Matthew speaks to an audience who are experiencing a different disaster in their lives. The folks listening to this scripture for the first time had just experienced the destruction of Jerusalem by Roman soldiers. So, the audience just had their city destroyed – not an easy thing, right? Matthew uses the story of Noah to link that past, to the future coming of the Son of Man, through the present, which was a political mess then, and let’s face it, usually is! Maybe Matthew was trying to relate to his audience. He has this great news, but his audience has just experienced the destruction of their city, so they may not be focused on the future. Maybe he makes the coming of the Son of Man sound scary so they will pay more attention.
Jerusalem’s devastation made an example out of Jewish people. It reminded the rest of the empire that Roman power was not to be challenged. It also made folks question their way of life, and the future of Jewish communities in the Roman empire. What was God doing? Was this destruction a punishment? If so, was there forgiveness? How should they live so as to prevent such a terrible thing happening again?
This military-political event was especially difficult for Jesus-followers. They followed one who had been executed on a cross, had been compared to local bandits. In telling the story of Jesus, Matthew asks: How did followers of one crucified by Rome, like a thief, make their way in a world ruled by Roman power? The present is always difficult to navigate, so let’s set aside the disasters of the past and present for a moment.
Advent invites us to remember and anticipate. It is a season that holds the certainty of the past, and the unknown future, linked together by choices of the present. Your choices of the present moment. Have you ever kayaked, or sailed? There isn’t much cruise control. The waves will push you one way; the wind will push you another – and then suddenly stop. You have to be alert constantly to those changes – literally, which way the wind is blowing. The decisions of the immediate present – constant course corrections – help you steer your boat. Trying to find the best way forward – while surrounded by swirling wind and conflict – kind of recalls the anticipation of Advent for me. Hope that’s OK to say.
Another, more literal, Advent analogy is preparing for company. Whatever the state of your home at the present moment, when you know company is coming, you see your surroundings with different eyes. You are suddenly alert not only to YOUR needs – and messes - but what your company may need in the immediate future. Preparing for someone else’s arrival by putting your own house in order – that sounds like Advent, too, right?
The vision Matthew talks is harsh, but it’s the promise of a reset, a restoration of God’s good creation. Unlike those folks in the days of Noah, or the residents of the destroyed Jerusalem, we do have more power and freedom to participate in creating the future end of our own story.
What if we lived our lives holding past remembrances and future visions in mind as we choose our present actions? What if we believed we could eliminate gun violence? What if we welcomed everyone who has lost a home, or a meal, or family – into our homes? What if we practice to eradicate every unfairness by staying alert to community actions – making as many course corrections as we can? What if we choose to make the possible – probable - by our own actions? Maybe that’s Advent.
BENEDICTION
Go forth with the gift of hope, Guiding you toward the path of peace.
Go forth with the gift of joy, Guiding you toward the path of love.
Go forth with anticipation – being alert for ways to make the possible, the probable.