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Scripture Text (NRSV)

 

Matthew 24:36-44

 

24:36 "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

24:37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

24:38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark,

24:39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man.

24:40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.

24:41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left.

24:42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

24:43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.

24:44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

 

Comments:

 

Hi everyone! Yes, I know, I'm early and skipping to this particular Sunday's lections because I'm assigned by my priest to do the homily this first Sunday in Advent. Just want to ask one brief question: why does the lectionary at the beginning of Advent of Year A jump all the way to chapter 24 of Matthew instead of the beginning?? Most people in my church are in the throes of the "Christmas" season not really "Advent" if you know what I mean...

I'm curious to know what people would say...

-Will in CT


Will in CT -- The lessons for the 1st Sunday of Advent every year are taken from the apocalyptic speech that precedes the passion in each Synoptic gospel. This is because Advent is about both the first and the second coming of Christ. Read the Advent prayers, hymns and lections carefully and you will note this eschatalogical theme. "Oh come, Oh come, Emmanuel" is really about the 2nd coming, with the Church in the place of Israel. There is a gradual change from the beginning to the end of Advent, as the first coming/Christmas part comes more to the forefront. Hope this helps. -- Mike in Maryland


Late last week, Brother Eric in KS wrote:

Rather than reply directly to Rick's queries about my use of cue cards in preaching (which will take me even farther afield from the pericope), I would like to direct us back to the question of how we present the atonement to a modern/postmodern generation and how to preach from Luke's gospel.

The following is from the New Interpreter's Bible (Vol. IX, pg. 457, R. Alan Culpepper writing):

"Luke does not defend any particular theory of the atonement. The traditional theories generally fall into one of the following categories: sacrifice, ransom, or moral influence. Luke never calls Jesus 'the Lam of God who takes away the sin of the world' (John 1:29 NRSV); cf. John 1:36; Acts 8:32). Neither does the Lukan Jesus say 'the Son of Man came ... to give his life a ransom for many' (Mark 10:45 NRSV). At most, the two on the road to Emmaus report, 'We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.' (24:21; cf. 1:68; 2:38). No proof text suffices in these matters, but the absence of even such references as one finds in the other Gospels underscores the extent to which Luke relies on the account of Jesus' death to carry the message of its significance. How one chooses to explain it, after all, is quite secondary to the confession that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior."

I think the last sentence is particularly relevant both to the dialog between me and Rick, and to preaching this text tomorrow.

Blessings, (the oafish) Eric in KS

I wonder if Culpepper sees any significance toward a Lukan reference to sacrifice and/or atonement in Luke 22:19-20?

(Luke 22:19-20 NIV) "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." {20} In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."

I think the Jewish listeners, whether they be allegorical or literal in their understanding, would see the significance of these words and their pointing to the issue of atonement/sacrifice...

Wouldn't you say Brother Eric? Or should this Lukan theory, along with so much of Paul's writing, also be debunked by today's enlightened men (and women, and of course today, the transgendered men/women) of letters?

Rick in Va


I enjoy EVERYONE'S posts...

I love to hear, see, experience the struggle of other clergy and lay people...without being judged an oaf... or worse...

The struggles of others help me with my struggle... to preach something that my folks can be challenged and empowered by... as one of my "flock" said leaving church recently...

"I come away from your sermons with more questions than answers."...

to which I replied... "Good, then I've done my job!"...

as I see it our job is indeed to challenge the scriptures when in comparisson to the day and time they were written.

To confront the comfortable and comfort the hurting... or however that goes...

True dialogue is a give and take...

driving home last night in a rain storm from Sioux Falls, SD... north... I came accross a radio talk show...

A caller... was promoting the new "Talk to the Hand" promotion... their premise is that the world is too concerned about the 9-11 events, anthrax, Afghanistan and the like... and whenever anyone talks about those "bad" topics... or that "negative" spirit... we are to say "Talk to the Hand" in other words, "shut up and don't be so negative"... the kicker was... the person promoting this "campaign" is a former "date drug" dealer.. the drug used to "rape" innocent unsuspecting women...

needless to say, he lost all credibility... his defense... "I don't do that any more..." although that was after he bragged that he sold so much that he should be serving a 20 year jail sentance...

Callers reacting to the "gentleman" were treated with an almost incoherent speaking in tongue babble... ending with "Talk to the Hand"...

oh me...

I'm reminded of UMC Bishop Woodie White Now, may God torment you --- May God disturb you --- May God keep before you --- the hungry, the dying, the oppressed, the rejected. Then, may God give you the compassion to do the work you ?HAVE? to do --and may you do your best --- Then -- and only then -- - May God grant you peace --- until we meet again. -Amen-

pulpitt in ND


RevRoger in OH

Just in case you don't review last week's postings, I'm responding here as well. Yes, I would like to see what you have on the Hanging of the Greens. My church e-mail is gspc@microconnect.net

Do you want to see what I used in 1998? Thanks for your help.

LL in L


Eric in KS wrote late last week:

Rick, I answered your question about "Christ's killers" and "God's will" in the hope that we might have a civilized discussion of that idea apropos of this pericope and the preaching most of us will have to do on Sunday morning. Now that I have experienced the barbs of your commentary (and witnessed them directed at others on the discussion site and the previous discussions of this text), I no longer feel called to respond to your posts. I am sure that on quite a few things we could find agreement, but so long as you cannot engage in discussion with ad hominem attacts on your "oafish" correspondents or from mischaracterizations of what we say, we will never find out. I spent several years sparring verbally (and caustically) with others as a trial attorney; I left that profession and don't intend to engage in such repartee here.

Peace and blessings, Eric in KS


Eric,

I have replied to your reply. I'm afraid we remain at loggerheads.

As to this pericope...

I would imagine that the Flood would be viewed as allegory by many. So the references to Noah present a special problem. And the references to the end-times... well, that of course might engender references to the best selling Left Behind series, a series written by a couple of fundamentalists. What special problems does this week's Lectionary bring to the modern mind, to the ivory tower professional, the intellectual in the pews (or more specifically the pulpit)? No sarcasm here... honest questions...

Sincerely,

Rick in Va


Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

24:43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.

24:44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

These verse caught my attention. What is "awake"? What is "ready"? As we ready our houses and our churches for the birth of our savior do we fail to ready our lives? When do we pass on to our children the meanings behind our symbols? The Christmas tree on a San Antonio float brought delighted applause- it was covered with flags and other things military. I am still processing that. my tree has ornaments from the past and present, things that hold meaning for our family. It includes many Christian symbols, the Holy family, stars, camels, wisemen. Our country is a wonderful place but this tree seemed to say "God Bless America" and to all others be grateful to us for we alone are blessed by God. Should we "awake" to the fact that God's blessing is for all of humankind? Just a rambling.... Nancy-Wi


Pulpit in ND thanks for the Bishop Whites blessing. I may use it in the " annual Christmas letter." Nancy-Wi


If the season of Advent is one of waiting and watching and being ready why do so many churches fall into the "bad habit" of early Christmas decorations just like the malls?

I'd never thought of it till last year when I was at a church where they waited until Christmas to place their decorations in the sanctuary. I must admit I liked it more than the early hanging of the greens. It reminded me to wait and not rush the season. Anyone have any idea? Phil in Iowa


to Nancy in Wi...a resounding "AMEN!" My university-student daughter and I both began to lament the myopic view we tend to have in our wonderful country back in September. We covenanted then and there to make "God Bless the World" our prayer both privately and publically. Rev. She


to Nancy in Wi...a resounding "AMEN!" My university-student daughter and I both began to lament the myopic view we tend to have in our wonderful country back in September. We covenanted then and there to make "God Bless the World" our prayer both privately and publically. Rev. She


It's hard to approach this pericope without seeing the "Left Behind" entertainment that's been pervading our culture. But, looking at it again for the first time, I see some unexpected calamities used as illustrations that urge us to stay alert. A flood. A thief in the night. And, people disappearing. How do we know that the ones who disappeared were taken to heaven? Perhaps they were kidnapped mysteriously, and the person who's left is the lucky one? That would fit the pattern of calamities. Just an early thought. MTSOfan


Yes, I think that we are too quick to put a template over this scripture, we assume we "know" what it says. It DOESn't say whether its better to be taken or left,and one could argue that the taken ones are "swept away" as the people in the flood who were judged, when only Noah and his family are "left". Also, I find it intriguing that the homeowner would have kept the thief OUT if only he had known what time the thief was coming! Do we try to keep Christ out of Christmas too? Is Jesus an intruder into our lives who would steal the things dearest to our hearts? Hmmm... Rev P


About Christmas decorations, Phil in Iowa wrote: "I'd never thought of it till last year when I was at a church where they waited until Christmas to place their decorations in the sanctuary. I must admit I liked it more than the early hanging of the greens. It reminded me to wait and not rush the season. Anyone have any idea?"

That's what we do at St. Francis. We follow the Sarum tradition and use royal blue for frontals, vestments, etc. in Advent. After the last Eucharist on the 4th Sunday of Advent, we do our "Hanging of the Greens" -- no formal service, just everyone pitching in and helping decorate for the Christmas season -- we do sing Christmas carols as we work and sometimes the choir & organist use the time to rehearse their anthems for the Christmas Eve services.

No rushing the season here.

Blessings, Eric in KS


Rev P asked, "Do we try to keep Christ out of Christmas too? Is Jesus an intruder into our lives who would steal the things dearest to our hearts? Hmmm... "

I preached a sermon on that idea, the metaphor of "thief" as describing God. I'll dig it up for you if you wish -- let me know your e-mail address.

Blessings, Eric in KS


The leader of my young parents class watch the first of the Left Behind movies. They were impressed with it, but when I later talked with them about it, they were not at all aware of other ways of looking at God's vision of the future. I feel I must deal with that issue for them this Sunday. But what a great Sunday to do it--a time of anticipation and hope and JOY--not fear (as the movies promote.) Sharon in Bethlehem


I am trying to decide how to handle v. 41& 42 of the text given the popularity of the Left Behind Series. I did some checking and the verb used in v. 41 and 42 translated as "taken" is usually translated as received and is not the same verb as used in 1 THess. in talking about the rapture, so I'm not sure that the verses are referring to the rapture. But reality is many of hte peopl in our pews will assunme that it is talking about th e rapture and considering there does not seem to be any distinction between each of the two persons, it could leave a rather hopeless feeling that no matter what we do, we've got a 50/50 chance. Because it does not say who was better off the one left or taken or who was "good" or "bad". IN the context of Matthew 24, it seems to say more about being prepared - we do not know the hour or the day of the end time - or the end of our own time (our own death) and so CHrist urges us to be prepared - to live lives ready to meet our Saviour whether in our death or at the Parousia. Also in light of events on 9/11; there were some who were taken (died) and some who were left behind (alive) in the Twin towers and Pentagon - how will people view these texts in light of 9/11? just rambling - any thoughts on this? LCShelly in NC

Blessings, Eric in KS


Phil in Iowa. What a struggle. Folks want to sing Xmas carols, have red poinsettias, and hang greens. Well, here's my middle and hopefully teaching ground:

We hang greens... even trees up in the Chancel... but no lights... no ribbons. The smell is there... the hint is there... the promise is there... the "tension" is there, which I think typifies Advent. I use Advent hymns til the middle of Dec.... then slowly, scripturally appropriately start bringing in the more traditional (folks will actually look for a church that sings "carols.") Then on the last Sunday before Christmas, white lights and white poinsettias. For Xmas Eve... gold ribbons. And then we keep it up through the liturgical Christmas season.

Hope that helps.

Hey.... doesn't anyone think the Psalm is like totally appro pos for this time in history???

Pax, Pamela


Phil in Iowa. What a struggle. Folks want to sing Xmas carols, have red poinsettias, and hang greens. Well, here's my middle and hopefully teaching ground:

We hang greens... even trees up in the Chancel... but no lights... no ribbons. The smell is there... the hint is there... the promise is there... the "tension" is there, which I think typifies Advent. I use Advent hymns til the middle of Dec.... then slowly, scripturally appropriately start bringing in the more traditional (folks will actually look for a church that sings "carols.") Then on the last Sunday before Christmas, white lights and white poinsettias. For Xmas Eve... gold ribbons. And then we keep it up through the liturgical Christmas season.

Hope that helps.

Hey.... doesn't anyone think the Psalm is like totally appro pos for this time in history???

Pax, Pamela


Speaking of decorating. I keep the nativity scene in action. The stable is there, but the figures move around the sanctury until appropriate times. The star will be hung but not lighted. This is my first year in this church. Poinsettias do not come in until the last weekend.

Verse 44 says to always be ready, for we do not know the time and place. That is appropriate for a birth too. Never really know when a baby will be born or where for sure, and you certainly don't have much of a clue as to how that will impact your life. My question then " how can we become ready"? Maybe that is where I will start, the journey is just begun.... Nancy-WI


Are any of you interested in preaching this lection? A lot here, while interesting, belongs in a different forum - the discussion site. I don't preach this week but enjoy the breaking of the Gospel bread that occurs in this forum.

It would be interesting to read why so many have trouble how to preach end times no matter the season. Certainly this is stock in trade for some preachers. I just heard a news story about someone who is tying in Sept 11 to the end times.

How has the prayer of our forebears in faith, Maranantha! turned from hope in redemption and salvation into a fear filled event? It seems to me that we are all too comfortable in our lives to have hope in the future.

Deke in Texas -- Pace e Bene


Nancy in WI:

You've got my creative juices flowing. I'm thinking of that old song (pretty sure it was Chicago, but maybe Eagles) "Does anybody really know what time it is?" I, too, interpret wakefulness to mean alertness, or preparedness (remember both the WISE and FOOLISH bridesmaids slept). However many may try to interpret the times (haven't we all seen church marquees foretelling the last days since 9/11), the idea is about being prepared and not looking around trying to find evidence of the apocalypse. Our waiting is in our faithfulness to holy work - one will be in the field, one will be grinding meal ... Keeping on with life, with the added knowledge that our Savior is coming.

Revealing my generation, I'm Sally in GA


So it is easier for us to discuss decorations during Advent. Okay, here goes:

We use Sarum Blue during the Advent Season. We put wreathes on the doors of the church, but with blue ribbon, changing them on the Fourth Sunday of Advent after the last service of the day. We use only blue candles in the Advent Wreath.

We will have Christmas Trees in the church with only little white lights which will not be lit until Christmas Eve at the First Celebration.

The Creshe is in place but remains empty until Christmas Eve at theFirst Celebration.

Now for the Gospel.

We will receive four adults as Catechumens on Sunday. Being ready has something to do with receiving faith. Not only for neophytes but also for us seasoned and aging Christians!

tom in ga


Someone mentioned being ready and not knwoing even the time of our own death. My dad died on Nov. 6 after a brief illness. What had really struck me is that he was prepared (and I don't just mean in the eternal sense). I described it to one of my friends, "There was a set to his face." I could tell that he was fine with the surgery, but he was also preparing himself to die. He wanted to live, but I personally believe he chose to die when the time came. It's this kind of preparation that I would hope to have in facing the future: a set to my face ("He set his face to go to Jerusalem") and a profound trust, allowing God to lead whatever that will mean. To be prepared and willing to face what I've never experienced before. Is that not what Advent points us toward?

Sally in GA


Just a thought or two from my discussion group this week. We spent quite a while talking about what does it mean for us that Jesus Christ Will come again? What does it mean for our congregations? I know that this is part of our liturgy and part of our understanding of the fullness of God's plan, but just what are we getting ready for? When a women is expecting, often times she (or the family) will prepare for the coming of a child -- not knowing the day or the hour... due dates only work in a theoretical sense, it seems. Clothes are purchased, nurserys are prepared, perhaps a former guest room or office is renovated to provide space, dedicated, specific space... as well as figuring out maternity leaves, child care, differing work schedules ... to provide time. Seems like this may well be part of readiness. Not about whether or not our presents are bought & wrapped or all of our decorations are pulled out and put up... That's all for now. Come visit me over in the Psalms... I'm trying to preach from there this week and I need some help! Thanks & Shalom -- RevAmy


There was no bad news as such in the Gospel because what was bad wasn't news. People knew that they were under sentence of death for sin and that there was no real way out. The good news is that there is now a way, which is the truth and the light, that leads to eternal life. Jesus did tell His hearers that not accepting this new way would lead to wailing and gnashing of teeth in everlasting fire. I don't think that motivated many to change their minds. I think that the good news of the Gospel brought far more to Him then those who were scared into it.

Last week we celebrated Christ the King and the gospel lection was of the crucifixion and if you think of the cross as the only earthly throne of our King, then the only command Jesus made from it was to forgive. He asked our heavenly Father to forgive us and then ushered in a thief into His kingdom.

We lock our doors out of prudence and hopefully not fear. We know that there are those who seek to rob and do other harm and so we take precautions. If we do this out of fear then eventually we become paralyzed by that fear and are no longer able to function. I know many that do not approach God out of fear. They are so afraid of God that they are unable to speak (pray) for fear that He will notice and destroy them. This was the problem of the Hebrews, they wanted spokesmen between them and God. Jesus as the Incarnation became both our spokesman and as God allowed us to interact with God on a sort of equal basis.

In today's culture in Europe and North America we seem not to recognize our wretchedness since we have it so "good". What do you say would make the message of the Gospel appeal to people who feel that they make their own happiness? That's all for now. Deke in Tx - Pace e Bene\


My mother died on November 18 after 7 weeks involving two surgeries. I was lucky. I could be with her and I got to tell her I loved her. I did that every day I saw her. God gave me and my family time. That time is denied to many. We did not know if she would live from day to day. Do any of us really? We know neither the day nor the time. PH in OH


Sally-Ga Today I had a couple in who were filling me in on their health and doctors. the man may have to have an anyerusm (spelling bad!)repaired. He is in every sense of the word "ready" since the consequences of his surgery may be very bad, he is prepared to live until the aneyrism give out. I have seen many in my CPE experience with the same look. I am glad your Dad was "prepared". When people go on about the rapture, I tell them that if they are true believers in it, then they should make every effort to be doing what Christ taught and not a moaning about an eventuality. Nancy-Wi


It must be that sort of day.... I had a couple in the office this morning who are preparing for the husband's death. He is 54 (she is 50 ... my age). He was diagnosed in June with glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is a very invasive form of primary-site brain cancer -- I am painfully familiar with it as my brother died at 49 as a result of the same form of cancer.

This gentlemen has already beaten the odds. 50% of glioblastoma patients are dead within six months of the diagnosis. The rest die within two years. So in a very real way, he does know when the hour is coming with a good deal more certainty than the rest of us. He could, one supposes, spend his time feeling sorry for himself and doing nothing. Instead, he and his wife are making all the preparations together. They have done their estate planning; they have made sure their two adult daughters understand what is happening; they came in today to talk about pre-planning his funeral and about encouraging their adult children, who have never been baptized, to join the church.

It could have been a real "downer" meeting, but it wasn't! These were very "with it" people and it was a joy to counsel with them. Everyone should have the healthy attitude toward end-of-life issues that they have.

Blessings, Eric in KS


When Jesus says "one will be taken and one will be left" I have always seen this as one being taken with Jesus to his heavenly home, and the other being "left out" not left behind to try to make it in the next, more difficult round. (Sounds likea computer game) Somehow, this rapture notion seems to an elitist thing, providing only fear, and maybe even giving the feeling that we don't have to try too hard to win others, because they will have a second chance during the tribulation, and they deserve the difficult time it will be, because they did not come to faith now like we did. I don't find any second chance after the second coming in the Gospels. This is our chance. Keep awake! The Son of Man is coming. Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation. JRW in OH


Often times I hear coaches talking about their team not having a "sense of urgency" in their play. How often do I get the same feeling that our people do not have a "sense of urgency" in their faith. Thanks to those who have given the insight to "One will be taken and one will be left." The blessing does appear to be for those who are left to continue to be faithful servants to the Lord. Too often we encounter people who are "so heavenly bound that they are no earthly good." The first coming of Jesus was all about servanthood and sacrifice. There is no reason to think it any different today.

KPM in PA


I'm going to call mine, "Coming and Going" and, with a particular slant just for this church, consider God's timing over our own. It's pretty simple, but Christ's coming is to get us going for him. Corny, I know, but it's only Wednesday!

Anyone else? There seem to be a few posts in this general direction.

PH in OH - my heart aches with yours. It's hard to find good news to preach when your news hasn't been too good lately. May God bring you comfort.

Sally in GA


The thief sermon, friends, is on the web... Here's the URL:

http://www.stfrancis-ks.org/subpages/csermons/ordtime-pr14c-y2k+1.htm

You may recall that we had the Lukan version of the theif metaphor on the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, August 12. That's when this sermon was preached. Some of you may find your own words in my text -- I found the DSP discussion very helpful in crafting the homily. Reading over it, however, I note that I am a lousy typist and that there are some little words missing ... you can probably make sense of it anyway.

Blessings, Eric in KS


I am feeling pretty stupid! I thought that the start page had a prayer for humanity printed on it. I can't find it now. Help! Nancy


Eric in KS -- Tell your man with glio not to give up. We have a lady diagnosed SIX years ago who's alive today and well.


Tim In NY: Jesus is answer two questions in chapters 24 and 25. The first part of chapter 24 is Jesus responding to "What are the signs" of the temple falling. Our passage begins his answer to "when this will occur," and not "how." His intent I believe in that rapture remark is to primarily say it will happen quickly, and not so much describe exactly what will take place. The bottom line of all his answers is "no one knows, so be prepared." Also, note the change from the beginning of 24 to the end of 25. It begins with stark warnings of pain and suffering, but by the end of 25 we are being taught about being compassionate (sheep and goats). These end time warnings are not intended to make us disengage from the world, but to embrace the hurting people as the best way to "be prepared." One final note is that the greek for eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage is a audically boring, particularly in Luke where there's a nasal sound to the words. I think the intention is to say the normal day to day stuff is not enough, but can lull us to sleep.


The mystical spirituality in the proactive hard work of "Waiting", "Watching", in the sense of not having YHWH; as in the experience of "thick darkness" where if one is to encounter the "God above God, who appears out of God's disappearance"(Tillich on "Waiting"), then one must turn loose of the god possessed in past religious experience, or in theological doctrine, or in a library of books called the Bible, or in liturgy, etc.; as in the autobiographical journey in quest of God recorded by the unknown mystic in "The Cloud of Unknowing"; so to me the Advent experience as disclosed in this scripture is relevant to the Benedictine Model of prayer as well as two contemporary poems: (1) in the Benedictine Model of "praying scripture", the scripture is read four times with the first reading using raw senses, the second using the mind, the third using the heart, the fourth in the silent stillness of nothingness one "waits" upon God to speak. (2) in Archibald MacLeish's "J.B.": J.B.: "It's too dark to see." Sarah: "Then blow on the coal of the heart, my darling." J.B.: "The coal of the heart..." Sarah: "It's all the light now."... "Blow on the coal of the heart. The candles in the churches are out. The lights have gone out in the sky. Blow on the coal of trhe heart And we'll see by and by..."... "We'll see where we are. The wit won't burn and the wet soul smoulders. Blow on the coal of the heart and we'll know.. We'll know..." (3) From The poetry of T. S. Eliot: "I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope For hope would be hope for thewrong thing; wait without love For love would be love of the wrong thing; there is yet faith But the faith and the love and the hope are all in the waiting. Wait without thought, for you are not ready for thought: So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing."

The sacramental spirituality of Advent "waiting" in "thick darkness" is hard work! [PaideiaSCO reflections in north ga mts]


If anyone is up to doing a good old fashioned three point sermon with each point beginning with a 'W', here's an outline I'm using to introduce Advent as whole. Waking focusing on becoming what we are in our baptism (see the Romans passage); Waiting as citizens of heaven for our Saviour who is to come from there; Watching with preparedness and joyful expectation for his sudden return. I composed a sermon along these lines complete with a finishing song when I couldn't get to sleep around 4 a.m. It seemed pretty profound at the time. Now if I can only remember everything.

R.G. in Ontario


Thanks for your helpful comments. I get so much out of this. Here's the opening of my sermon. Thought it might be useful for others.

Advent means waiting. We wait for the celebration of the first coming of Christ. We wait for his second coming. We wait for prayers to be answered. We wait for God to act. Advent is a very human season — it is all about waiting, sometimes anxiously, but also with hopeful anticipation.

How do we wait for God? It’s not passive waiting. It’s not waiting for the bus to come or the rain to stop. It is an active waiting in which we live in the present moment to the fullest potential.

Someone once confessed that she'd gone to church for 30 years waiting ... waiting for something to happen, and it never had. Everyone always thought of her as a pillar of faith, quietly going about the work of the church. The minister, young and newly ordained, was speechless. He had always assumed that this sweet old lady was secure in her faith, confident of her salvation when her day came. Now he realized that the occasional sorrow he saw in her far off glance was not the pain of long ago hardships —the pain of Lent, the dark days that come before the expected Resurrection. No, the pain he saw in her eyes was unfulfilled hope. She was stuck in the dark days of perpetual Advent, still waiting to be made new. The minister was speechless.

What would he say to her? What could he say? What can you say? Maybe after you had given it some thought, you would say something like this:

A miracle had indeed occurred — a thirty year long miracle — and that miracle was her faithfulness. Waiting without an apparent reward is a common theme in scripture. Abraham and Sarah waited to have children for the fulfillment of God’s promise, Joseph waited in prison in Egypt, and Job lamented how long he had to wait for God’s deliverance. Such faithfulness is its own reward. Secondly, her waiting hadn't been fruitless. She had been an example of faithfulness to others; in her caring and sharing she had helped keep the love of God flowing through her church. Instead of waiting for a gift, she might consider the possibility that through these 30 years, she herself has been the gift, the gift for others. That is the message of Advent. Keep alert, Jesus says. Wake up from your slumber, Paul warns. Stay faithful. Keep waiting but try not to imagine beforehand what you are waiting for. Try instead to expect the unexpected. The trouble with expecting the unexpected is, you may not even notice its arrival. Most people didn't expect a baby born in a manger to be the Messiah, even though they were all expecting him. The woman thought she had been waiting for naught all these thirty years, and never noticed the miracle of faithfulness. One of the Advent readings warns us to be alert because two women will be grinding the hand-mill and one will be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:41) One woman lived in the moment, and the other did not. One enjoyed the beauty of the day, and the other was always looking for something better. Advent is about waiting. It is an active waiting. Waiting patiently means paying attention to what is happening right before our eyes and seeing there the first rays of God’s glorious coming.

(Now I just need to flesh it out more -- easier said than done).

Rev Helen in Ontario


Paideia in N. Ga. Mts: Thank you!!! Not just for reminding me of Tillich but for the ts eliot quote(that actually happened to me during prayer a couple weeks ago - it was a trust that stepped aside to reveal a more perfect - and frightful - trust). It's often when God "goes" that he becomes more perfectly revealed. I see a paradox: is this God's action or our perceptions of God? I vote that it's a combination of God's work and our discernment. In other words, is it God coming to us or are we going to God?

Some quick thoughts at 5:20, before I go pick up my daughters!!! Shalom.

Sally in GA (and a little homesick for the NGa mts)


Helen in Ontario- Nice start. I found it helpful because I was so torn this week I am doing three mini sermons one for Isaiah, Romans, Mathew. Mini bites of the Bible. Happy fleshing out! Nancy-Wi


Any chance that the "thief" in the second mini-parable is not Jesus coming for us...but rather a thief who would break in and steal our hope, our faithfulness, who would distract us from our Christian "duty" of living each day to the fullest as we await the Second Coming of Christ? For this kind of a thief, we must all be watchful....or else be like the folks of Noah's time who were all washed away in the midst of their everyday lives...., those who were not focussed on the task of living out the Christian duty assigned to us....

I just received a wonderful story about a woman who planted 50,000 daffodil bulbs in a mountainous area, and a young woman had to literally kidnap her mother away from her life and fear of driving in the fog to see this spectacular beauty.....

The tulip planter lived on the premises in a little house, and put this note on the door to answer the most often asked questions...

(1) 50,000 (2) one old woman, with two hands, two feet and very little brain (3) I started in 1956.

The point being....that when we are given our tasks as Christians and we faithfully attend to our spiritual assignment, our lives will result in something beautiful...for the Kingdom...and whenever Jesus comes, we will be "free" to go with Him....

Jude in Wash


I remember attending a "Left Behind" play... in Minot when we lived there. I went so I could "comment" from the pulpit about the stupidity of such a show.... sure enough... they "SCARED THE HELL" INTO the people who were there! Little kids were crying as we all watched in disbelief... SATAN had more "power" apparently than did GOD. The Actors/Actresses ANGELS protected heaven with drawn swords. I about puked! The images were those of good people... who stayed home instead of going to church... the child who went to church and her mother who didn't was "left behind". I'm sorry I guess I believe in a Universal Type of afterlife... MY God would not take some and leave others...

I went to court today with a colleague... a pastor... while we were there I saw a middle aged man going to the "judge"... he had been picked up for the 4th time for driving without a license. The judge said, we gave you one chance, two chances, three chances, and now a fourth chance... what you do from here on out is up to you... if you come back again, you're going to jail. It's up to you!"

I think God gives us chance after chance... remembering how Jesus says when asked how many times we should forgive our neighbors... his response... infinity... or 70 times 7!

pulpitt in ND


Pamela, Nancy, Sally, Amy, Eric, LCShelly... and others... you've got MY juices flowing.... I like the hard questions of your interpretations... sensible answers to what many in the pew have learned and like those adults that come to church... stop questioning... I think youth say it best... we need to be more responsible in our interpretation of scripture... thanks for the discussion... and the mental excercise you all do every week...

It's much appreciated! ;?)

pulpitt in ND

Keep up the good work! GREAT WORK! You make my sermons sound good! :?)


Anyone have any good stories about staying awake versus falling asleep?

I want to talk about how we have been in such a state of high alert since 9/11. But eventually people will get tired of waiting in extra lines, having their bags checked everytime they walk into a large building (I live in NYC). When nothing bad happens we let our guard down. We lose our sense of urgency. Comfort and safety make us fall asleep.

What does it take to stay fully alive and alert, even if we are not living in obvious danger? That is what we are being asked to do spiritually. But not just alert to danger, and spiritual sleepiness, but also alert to signs of God's presence among us.

DGinNYC


In the Noah story God makes a covenant with us to never bring such universal, unexpected devestation. How does this fare with this story? ...Seems to me that in this story Jesus is speaking enormous hope. We have choice in this story unlike the masses in the Noah story.

Jesus has come and come and come and is still coming and will continue to come...sometimes we might recognize the presence several times in a single day. Sometimes we may not notice for decades.

The " enexpected hour " is most often unexpected because of the presence of Christ in the most unexpected people. For me there is most often no exchange of " religious " language at these unexpected times with these unexpected people.

Kairos


Hey, gang! Here's a pretty good sermon about the Left Behind stuff, the so-called Rapture, Jesus' end-times comments, and so forth:

http://www.presbyterianwarren.com/left-bh.html

It's entitled "Left Behind ... The Books, The Movie, The Truth" (based on Mark 13:31-33, delivered 2/11/01) by the Rev. Dr. David E. Leininger, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Warren, Pennsylvania.

Blessings, Eric in KS


If you go to the www.pcusa.org website and type in "Left Behind" as a search - there are several articles that are descriptive of the dispensationalist argument and the differences it has from the "Reformed" tradition's perspective. The lectionary texts from November 11 also got me thinking about this subject - so I'll add a little sermon brief from what I preached that day (not to jab on anyone's beliefs but to explain the traditional Presbyterian approach):

"...Trust me, this view of the end of the world (i.e. the "Left Behind" series)is tremendously exciting! We who live in this media-saturated world are enticed by stories of prophecies coming true. It makes for best-selling fiction, highly dramatic plot lines for movies, and it grotesquely satisfies our own worst nightmares about what is yet to come. You can really eat popcorn to this kind of stuff. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. But there are some significant problems with this scenario. Besides the fact that John Calvin, diplomat that he was, called this theological reasoning “too childish either to need or to be worth a refutation,” (Bohler, article 1) the most devastating problem from the Presbyterian point of view is that it fails to proclaim a final victory in the cross from the very first. There seem to be stages of salvation. First, for the saints who are raptured away, second for the converted Jews and believers in the in between time, and then final victory only happens after the Anti-Christ is defeated after a seven-year struggle on earth.

Wait one minute! Our theological undergirding tells us that Christ’s work on the cross is COMPLETE for salvation. We are on the one-step program, not the three or four-step program.

Presbyterianism may not be exciting in a big-screen kind of way, but our focus takes us on a more hopeful journey about the outcome of the world. For example, a Presbyterian eschatology takes what happens to be a biblical long-range view of salvation. The more important question isn’t the selfish, “What happens to ME when I die?”; it’s, “What has God already done for the whole world?” “For God so loved the WORLD, that God gave us God’s only child so that we might have life in him.” (John 3:16) To me, that’s honestly compelling; that has some real meat on it. God’s not picking and choosing God’s favorites on a whim or on a particular test of our belief system. God seeks and saves the whole world through this one amazing act of love and grace. Now there’s something to be talked about!

Certainly, we do speculate about the time beyond time, the time we cannot explain or know. In saying we don’t have all the details and we can’t say for sure – we’re not copping out. We’re saying that there are some things we frail human beings may not be capable of knowing in this life. God, the wise One, might have some wisdom that even our greatest sages might be totally unaware of. Rather than try to force obscure texts into a prophetic outcome, we believe in living the texts of scripture that are made quite plain. “Love one another.” “Serve one another.” “Go, therefore, and make disciples, baptizing and teaching in the name of Christ.”

Hope this helps someone! I'm continuing to preach about the "Second Coming" through Advent and I am offering some evening time to talk about these things. People are certainly hungry to discuss their hopes and fears in this world, but I believe that the only certainty the church can offer comes through God's grace alone.

Peace & Watchful Waiting - Pastor Kerra in PA


Perhaps I am repeating an earlier offering on the discussion site, but I wonder why 9/11 has to be attributed to either God or Satan. I'm not sure it can be reduced to such a simple dichotomy when human nature and free will are brought into the equation.

I think we're back to a question of theodicy that we won't likely resolve today (and if we do, it'll make CNN for sure!). Personally, I resonate with Kushnier's thinking that the reality of our world is that evil exists, this cannot be denied. That means that God is either all-loving or all-powerful, but not both. I have to go with all-loving........which means that there are times when God is not all-powerful. Is this somehow enmeshed in the gift of our free will? Certainly.

This isn't the focus of my sermon this week, but I thought I would throw in my 2 cents worth. As for the "left behind" aspect, I liked the earlier comment about one of the women living in the moment, and one not.

Later, SueCan


My belief in prevenient grace (now THAT's a Methodist term!) tells me that God is ALWAYS there; we're just not aware of that fact until we come under conviction of our sin. Our limited understanding of God and God's actions go away bit by bit because of his presence in our lives and our further seeking God, going on to perfection. Thus, the revelation is in God's continuing to call us (Wesley said, "woo") throughout our lives. The hope, or dare I say expectation of Advent is that our omnipresent God will be incarnate and living in our lives anew and remind us of the mystery of faith: Christ has come, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Whether or not we agree on how or why it's going to happen, the Incarnation is not yet perfectly manifest on earth. At least, I don't see wolves and lambs eating together yet.

God comes to us in the Incarnation and unveils our dark ignorance.

Sally in GA


this summer I went to visit an uncle who has been very sick for the last three years. they said that he could not have a kidney transplant because he was not a good canidate and so he has been on diaylisis (spelled wrong. Anyway I have always been close to all of my uncles. One day we sat in the kitchen talking, my aunt was at the Drs. and my husband was outside. My uncle asked me how my son was doing and I told him how well he was doing. My uncle looked at me and told me how proud he was of both my son and myself. He then proceded to tell me how proud he was of his own wife and sons. I asked him if he had told them and he kind of smiled and said no, he did not want to spoil them. Three weeks later we buried him. In fact it was 9/12, he died of a heart problem that he supposedly did not have. He was prepared the rest of us were not. We never know when it will happen and I think that Jesus is telling us we need not only to set our houses in order, but to keep them that way. Don't just clean the house for company for the holidays, keep them in order for all the time. MR in NY


I find it interesting that many comments here mention the left behind series and its impact on our homeletics. I read the book and the poor attempt at a movie and decided to do some independent research. It is told to the character Buck that the disappearance happens as according to 1 Thes. 13-18, have you read it? The passage speaks of the coming of the Lord and the dead shall rise first, the those who are left will be join him in the clouds. It does not mention tribulation, rapture or destruction - it should be more seen as God's reclaiming of creation.

Left Behind presents creation as evil, the earth and its inhabitance aren't "good", so their left behind. Yet creation is good, at least that is what my scripture says in Genesis and as in the flood story, God was reclaiming what was good and those left were the chosen. Seems to me to be left behind might not just be the bad place to be.

For me this passage is speaking of the second advent that we await in rememberance of the first advent. And the hope we have is that through the second advent God will be reclaiming all of creation and as the ancient prophets (Isaiah and Jermiah) spoke of justice and righteous will reign in God's kingdom and creation.

Just a few thoughts

DM in OK


Presumably you are familiar with these thoroughly Biblical, thoroughly traditional, and thoroughly ecumenical words:

"He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end." (The Nicene Creed)

As to the timing and the mechanics, I profess ignorance; those, I believe and preach, are in God's hands.

As Sue has said, quoting the BCP, "Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again." In the meantime, let's get on with the business of feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, visiting the prisoners, caring for the sick, clothing the naked, teaching all nations, and baptizing all people in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Blessings, Eric in KS


I am preaching, "Getting Ready for Christmas", using the analogy of how we get ready for Christmas in material ways and how we should also get ready for Christmas spiritually. Christmas being the celebration of the birth of CHRIST and in conjunction with Advent the second coming of CHRIST as well. I am afraid theologians tend to tell us the things we must do i.e. be ready for the coming of CHRIST....but fail to tell us how to be ready. Anyone have 3 basic points to support how?

Initial thoughts: 1)consecrate 2)repent 3)be a light

Pastor in OK


Well it seems that this is a particularly long disucussion this week. To totally throw a monkey wrench into the discussion..... is anyone besides me aghast at the McCarthyan "state" of affairs unfolding??? This is truly scary to me. Don't question the president, his policies, or how he is going about them... In this discussion of end time scenarios, I see very disturbing signs on the horizon... our horizon... and the Church is complacent. Chrisitianity equals patriotism equals Christianity. I'm tired of it and I'm scared of it. But more than anything I'm scared by our silence and apparant lack of critical thinking.

Pamela


I am reminded by the old Bill Cosby routine about Noah. Once you get past the funny part about Noah and the Lord having this improbable conversation - "Who is this REALLY?" and Noah gets down to building the Ark - the people around him are offended - he's blocking their driveway. I wonder how many people are too busy getting ready to go to work to get ready for the Coming of God. RevRick in So. Ga.


I've seen and read a few people on this site elsewhere allegorizing the thief, trying to make it either God or Jesus. I think the thief is just a thief. Jesus' point is that if we knew when a thief was coming, we'd be ready. But we don't know when the thief is coming (because they usually don't let us know we're on their schedule), and we don't know when the 2nd coming is coming, so we should always be ready. Along that line, if Jesus doesn't know when the 2nd coming is (as he says in v 36), how can Tim LaHaye? -- Mike in Maryland


RE: Son of Man

I was told (at Drew) that Son of Man was a political term used by the Jews to mean "Meshuah will come on a white horse and save the people poltically as well as spiritually".

Jesus rarely uses that term, but those who wrote the gospels did as they were people of their time.

rokinrev-Albany NY


How does it change our conception of Advent if we think of it as waiting "on" God instead of waiting "for" God? These are contrasting images for me. One says we will wait like a waiter/waitress, ready to serve God by waiting on others(loving them). The other says we will sit down at the counter and wait for God to come to us. Advent is proactive waiting, not passive expectation. What do you think?

Robin in OH


Thank you Pastor Kerra in PA for your post of 11/30 about Presbyterianism and "Left Behind." It was helpful. This text goes well with the Romans text on waking up and being ready. DGinNYC


Someone wrote: "Advent means waiting." I looked it up in the dictionary to be sure, but "Advent" means "appearance, or coming."

Sally in GA


Jude in Wash: Go to the Text This Week site and follow the links at Matthew 24 site to the Five Gospel Parallels. There is a parallel in the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas which takes this same track that you're speculating on concerning the "thief." Happy hunting! Ken in WV


When my son, Asa, was about four years old (he's now 18), he was a very verbal child, but sometimes got just a little confused by the English language. One day, while watching soap bubbles pop and vanish, he proclaimed "They dis-ed-appear, Mommy!" You see, he knew that the past tense usually had an "ed" on it, he just hadn't figured out all the rules, so he didn't know where to put it. To this day, we use the word dis-ed-appear instead of disappeared as a gentle jibe at Asa and a happy memory of our little one who's not so small any more.

There is, however, a life lesson to this story, and it's one that fits well with part of our gospel reading today. So often in life, we don't know all the rules, we don't understand the whole plan, and we jump to the wrong conclusions. Hearing Jesus talk about those who dis-ed-appear while going about their daily work can lead us to lengthy discussions about "the rapture," or it can lead us into greater attempts at living into the kingdom. Since we don't know all of what the plan is, it's probably best to focus on what we do know. There will come a time when we will be judged according to our actions. Jesus taught us well about how we were to live. Seems like we ought to be trying to live up to that. If we do, we just might be among those who dis-ed-appear instead of those left behind.

Confession: I've contributed without reading anything you've all been writing. Now I'll see what the discussion's been about.

Pam in San Bernardino


re: Son of Man, Drew....& Rockinrev

I respect the scholarship at Drew and appreciate your reminder in regard to spiritual and political implications of the title.

There's that old saying that we can miss the forest by looking at the trees. This text can be very simple when we look at the " forest " of the text...which can speak very clearly to us about being proactively waiting ( as another contributor pointed-out )...breaking-down barriers between one another rather than re-cementing the naturally cracked mortar which is cracking because the walls have been-up long enough.

If a " 2nd Coming " is by someone who fleshes-out both the political and the spiritual nature of our Creator, all of us who split doctinal hairs will be caught off-guard. In our global world, now, I can't imagine an incarcation in any other form.

This site would be a reasonable place to expect tolerance.

Kairos


It's late -- I know that, but I thought I'd take another look to see what others have said these past few days.

Eric in KS, I'd love to have the opportunity to share with you about family members with GBM -- my older brother (age 56) was diagnosed a year ago this past July with a GBM and given 6 months to three years to live. He died four and a half months later. Ergo, I too am painfully familiar with the trauma that affects the family --

If you want to (or would be willing to) dialogue about this, please contact me at Dale_Durnell@email.msn.com

Grace and peace

Dale in OK


I know that i will not be the only one to see this beautiful typo.... which Eric of Kansas wrote on the atonement. Didn't know that one of the theological positions was the "running away of God"...actually it preaches!...thanks Eric

<<"Luke does not defend any particular theory of the atonement. The traditional theories generally fall into one of the following categories: sacrifice, ransom, or moral influence. Luke never calls Jesus 'the Lam of God who takes away the sin of the world' (John 1:29 NRSV); cf. John 1:36; Acts 8:32).>>

don hoff, elmira, ny

 

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Keep awake ....

How to live with expectation instead of fear? How to live toward the future which is now? What is it that I am getting ready for? The myth of the Son of Man coming is difficult for us to embrace! The only thing that is sure is taxes. How do we reenter the salvific story and embrace the coming of the Son of Man into our lives? As you can see this preacher needs help, he's not desperate, but on the verge of being in trouble!

Tom in GA


Gee, Tom in GA. I am excitedly living in expectation that that next soul I help lead to faith in Jesus might be the last one to squeek in just before the door is slammed shut. If you consider Jesus coming a myth, I'm afraid you might NOT have any reason to live in expectation. Sorry. A pastor told me once there are two kinds of preachers. Ones who have to find something to say and those excited ones who have so much to say you can't keep them quiet. revup


HW Please contact me. You know how. I need to talk with you

Pasthersyl


In response to smething which Tom from Ga said.... <<What is it that I am getting ready for? The myth of the Son of Man coming is difficult for us to embrace! The only thing that is sure is taxes. How do we reenter the salvific story and embrace the coming of the Son of Man into our lives? >>

Tom I'm glad you began there... don't know why coming of the Son of Man is considered a myth...... actually if it is a myth and only a myth it should very easy to accept....... I believe that the biblical teaching on the coming of the Son of Man is complex.... I'lltake time to review that this week... I am of the mind that the teaching that Christ comes again... and again has a power which must not be ignored..... Advent, if it does more than behave like a "little pre-Christmas" have to take the coming of Christ seriously.... It makes no sense to me without it... maybe you'll want to clarify what you mean by "myth"... thanks tom...

Don Hoff (now a former dps DS) Elmira, NY As far as taxes being certain.... that seesm to be a poor folk saying .... but I know of plenty of rich folk who don't believe that saying.... and have found many ways to avoid paying taxes...


Tom in GA wrote: "How to live with expectation instead of fear? How to live toward the future which is now? What is it that I am getting ready for?"

Let me add something from my files from a few years ago, an answer to the question, "Who is the Christ you are waiting for?"

"When I think about that question, I realize that my answer is shaped by my own appreciation for the Christ I have already met. I am convinced my image of the Christ I am waiting for is influenced by what I am willing to let God show me now. When Christ comes in glory, I imagine I will see the many faces of those in whom I have seen the Christ already. For we, "who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Cor. 3:18)

Am I waiting for this glory which is yet to be revealed? Most certainly yes. But perhaps more importantly, I realize I must allow my eyes to be opened now. I must allow myself to see the Christ already revealed through the people who invite me into their lives. It is through such encounters that I will learn to recognize the Christ when he comes again in glory. And as I live out my baptismal covenant I also realize I must allow others to see the Christ revealed through me."

How to live with expectation instead of fear? It is something we practice/live each day--expecting to see the Christ in others rather than expecting fear from our encounter with them. It seems to me this way of living with present expectation rather than fear is what prepares us and allows us to live toward the future that is now (that wonderful paradox of the already and the not yet).

LC in NY


I appreciate very much the various responses. I am very surprised that "myth" remains a nasty word for some. Myth is simply larger than fact - it point to archtypical stories which are beyond history yet still true. If I offended, mea culpa. I am sure all of you are family with Saint Bernard's Three Comings: His First Coming in the birth of the Christ Child; His Second Coming in the Sacraments and moments of grace in the lives of others (when did we see you hungry, naked, sick, in prison?); and the Third Coming at the end of time. Therefore to Keep Awake is being aware in whose time we live.

tom in ga


Interesting that readiness, in this passage, consists solely in being awake, aware - like if your Eudora file is not on, you won't hear the mail beep - not in anything else you do. What does that mean? kbc in sc


If you have not already used it, this might be a good time for the Classic "Martin the Cobbler story." I started thinking about our vacation last year. We came home and saw that the sound system was on. My husband was miffed, sure I had left it on for the two weeks we were away. Then I began to notice things out of place. "Foreign" garbage in the trash. A pack of cigarettes. Then, like Goldilocks, I saw that "someone had been sleeping in my bed." I went out to the garage where my car had been. The garage was empty. Someone had obviously been living in our house while we were gone -- found the keys to my car and took it. (later found the car had been wrecked and left in a ditch.) Boy, if I had known the Unexpected Guest was coming, I would sure would have stayed home...or at least had someone watching my house. I don't think the story means that God is a thief, but merely that the coming of the Kingdom and the presence of Christ is quiet, sometimes hidden and unannounced. It can be missed. therefore, we are to live ready, awake, eyes open to the events and signs of his coming. How exciting...the Lord is not just coming sometime at the "END" of things, but is coming to us all the time. I think that is tremendously exciting. Where will we see him? Wait. Watch. Be Ready. RevKK


Has anyone noticed that the Jews waited in expectation for the Messiah to come in glory?

He came in a barn.

As we prepare for Advent, does our waiting in expectation for Christ's return in glory parallel that of the Jews?

Are we in danger of missing the second coming? Is it possible that the Messiah will be born a second time -- on the streets of Calcutta, or in the hills of Appalachia?

Don, I look forward to your research on the Son of Man. I really appreciate using all of you -- especially since my time is so limited. We will be travelling to TN Wednesday night, returning to Illinois on Friday. Spending Thanksgiving with my 84 year old father and his wife. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

RevJan


So, before I read all these wise things you all are writing, I was wondering how the heck I was going to connect Advent with this troubling Eschatological passage. During the last several weeks the lectionary has taken us to the Eschaton and the Second Coming and now there is more. Is there no rest for the weary? Anyway, I just wondering if I got this straight: During Advent we are waiting for the Christ child to come at Christmas but we are also reminded of the ever present wait of the Second Coming during the End Times and that is how this passage connects with Advent? Am I right? I guess, according to Tom, we are also waiting for the next time we take communion and the next moment of grace? Is this right? Tom will you please post for all were we can get this St. Barnard ref? Thanks alot.

Kelly in Alberta