1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
As I read and prayed about the texts for this
week one, word kept coming to me: anticipation. Fortunately or unfortunately,
it came with an ear worm of Carly Simon’s song, an-ti-ci-pa-a-a-a-tion.
Anticipation can be positive or negative. For
example, we anticipate our birthdays positively or negatively. As children, we count
½ birthdays because we have such a positive anticipation of getting older. Comedian
Jack Benny made a big deal about never having birthdays after he turned 39. He
lived to age 80. Obviously he had a negative anticipation of birthdays, at
least when he was on stage.
Advent always begins with a look at the
future hopes, anticipations, of the disciples. The gospel reading comes from Chapter
13 of 16 in Mark, so it’s shortly before Jesus’ death. What does the end time
look like? When will it happen? In
answer, Jesus gives a description, and then says, but no one, not even he,
knows when it will occur.
There will be signs, so watch for them. The
signs will be as obvious as a fig tree with fresh shoots indicating the new
growing season is coming. And then, despite his declaration that no one knows
when this will happen, Jesus says he believes it will be soon.
… As a result of the unknown timing, the
response is to be alert, aware of the signs. In response to these words, the
disciples and early followers like Paul believed the end times were coming
soon. “Don’t make major changes in your lives, so you can focus on being ready
for Jesus to come again.”
We, 2,000 years later, are still called to
keep awake, to anticipate, Jesus’ coming. But for many of us, the anticipation
of a cataclysmic event seems unlikely. Some define the second coming as having
happened at Pentecost, with the wind and fire and exuberance of the entry of
the Holy Spirit into the crowd. So, there is no need to look for a major event
in the future.
The awareness, the alertness, should be
focused on looking for Jesus’ presence all around us. Paul reminds us that through
the Holy Spirit, we have been given gifts to use. Instead of waiting for the
end times and Jesus’ spectacular return, let’s watch for Jesus’ presence in those
we encounter each day and use our gifts in the relationship. Further, let’s anticipate
that he will show up often.
Here are a few ways we might notice Jesus
appearing today:
… Jesus was at the bargaining table as Hamas and
Israel struggled to find a way to release hostages.
Jesus has been with the hostages, and will be
with them as they heal from the trauma. Jesus has been with the families of the
hostages as well as with those whose loved ones have been killed. He has been
there even with those who don’t believe in him. And Jesus has been and
continues to be in Ukraine and Sudan and every war-torn place on earth.
Jesus is present with students as they prepare
– or not – for finals.
Jesus is with those who grieve loved ones,
especially during the holidays.
I think Jesus would have enjoyed the night at
the Phillips Center with Paula Poundstone as she made fun of a variety of situations
and human foibles.
Jesus is with us and with all who hunger and
thirst for justice and fairness, and with those to whom they have been denied
or limited.
Whatever is happening, anywhere and anytime,
we can anticipate that Jesus is present.
… And, Jesus is with us as we work and pray
and wait our way through the time of transition from one pastor to the next. This
time is one of hard work for a congregation and its leaders.
In order to clarify the future of ULC, President
Becky and I have called for a conversation to discuss the importance of campus
ministry. We can’t imagine not supporting students in a variety of ways, but how
important is it? How much money can we put toward it? Who will volunteer to
make it work? This conversation is scheduled for January 21 after worship.
Last week, Pat and I attended a meeting on
Zoom with Sarah Locke, a campus minister in Jacksonville. The more she talked,
the more we realized that we don’t know what we don’t know about campus
ministry. We want Sarah to come here and educate us about what campus ministry is
like today. We want her to come before our conversation so we are better
informed as we look to the future.
Becky and I anticipate, or at least we hope
and pray for, a lively discussion and a better sense of direction for the
congregation on January 21.
… I hope this week, this month, as we wait
together and anticipate the coming of baby Jesus, God incarnated, that we will watch
for Jesus’ presence in whoever we meet and wherever we go, and wherever he
leads us into the future. Amen
