It is our common practice to post weekly Advent reflections from the Servant Council members or those chosen to do this honor during Advent. This Advent season reflections will be coming to you from the Servant Council. This is also the season the professed members have been asked to give a “Life and Witness” review of the Order. One writer spoke of wanting to hear stories of members, their ministries and just life. So this reflection has some of that. I will share a brief story and for more details just call me (something the writer suggested we all do more often).
My texts are Matt. 24:36-44, Luke 21:15,The Advent Carol “Joy To the World” and the hymn “Canticle of Turning” from the Lutheran Hymnal #723.
The times we are living in, is a phrase being used a lot these days. Over this past year I have been thinking about these times and how best to be a peacemaker, peacekeeper, doing peace and being at peace. I decided to take my training and experience as a 1st responder and become a safety marshall for the protests happening in my local community. I thought I needed to take positive action to help others – provide security and 1st aid. To keep as many people safe as possible. And I do fully know the risks. During this time I said yes to being on the safety team with the congregation I worship with. Lots of congregations for many years and especially this past year have decided to have safety teams yet they often do not have the hard conversations around the most difficult concerns, such as some folks may be hurt or worse, are we ready for that? Some congregations have even decided to lock their doors 10 minutes after the service has started and no one is allowed in after that. If you have decided to stand for justice then you should know there are risks. Hmm.. Again hard conversations for the times we are living in.
Are these “times” the end times? We do not know and the Gospels tell us that. The Gospels do tell us to prepare, be ready and trust the Lord. The Luke text says trust no one but the Lord. Jesus said “I will give you the words (as we also know sometimes we only say words when it is necessary), and wisdom”. I have come to think wisdom is love. Love is acts/active – prepare for the storm (like for a winter storm) that is coming, be ready to give an account and always pray without ceasing. All acts of love/wisdom.
What do the two songs have to do with all of this? The Advent Carol “Joy to the World”, is simply referring to the second coming of Christ. A time to wait on the Christ, but not a time to be inactive but to a time of love giving/acting. The “Canticle of Turning”, speaks to how the world is about to turn. The refrain says “My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.” So the world is about to turn in these times that we are living in, are we prepared and ready? Are we giving love and acting love for others? Let’s not lose heart and hope in the times we are living in. Blessing to each of you during this season of Advent.
Oh, one more thing. Are the tunes to these two songs now stuck in your head? I hope so, and for a very long time.
Peace, comfort and joy,
markie
Thanks so much for this reflection, Markie! I find myself so heavy hearted I can scarcely find the capacity to read or think or do anything but surrender to prayerful contemplation. My current mantra is a familiar one: “Make me an instrument of your peace…make me an instrument of your peace… where there is hatred let me sow love…where there is hatred let me sow love….” I somehow feel the need to repeat each verse twice. Or three times. Or a hundred. Truly “these times in which we are living is turning…” may it be for the better.