Advent 1 (B) + Wonder and work, watching + 12.3.17

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M. Campbell-Langdell
All Santos, Oxnard
(Isaiah 64:1–9; Ps. 80:1–7, 16–18; 1 Cor. 1:3–9; Mark 13:24–37)

Some of my favorite easy reads are the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency books by Alexander McCall Smith. I just love the main character, Precious Ramotswe and her often tranquil life in Botswana. And I especially love the moments in the books when she goes out in the cool of the morning with her cup of Red Bush tea and just enjoys being in her garden for a moment.
One of the unexpected pleasures of owning a dog is that we try to spend some time in the morning and afternoon with her in the garden, playing but sometimes sitting and reading or praying or playing on our phones or doing email while she runs around and plays. She is not yet trustworthy to not chew up the entire back yard if we don’t watch her- so we take turns sitting and watching her.
And the time in the garden is not entirely tranquil. But it does feel grounding. And sometimes, being back there, I see a bird or a plane up high, or taking her out at night, I see the stars, and I am reminded into wonder.
In a way, the gospel today says, at this time of the turning of the year, listen to the elemental things. To the fig tree. Listen. Be grounded once more in what is real.
Once more we have “Living Compass” guides for our Advent meditation, a gift for each household from the church. And this year’s theme is: “Practicing Wonder with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind.”[1] Wonder. Awe.
Sometimes these things are hard to grasp in a world that may seem so mean. Sometimes I think we, like the prophet, want to tear the heavens and come down and put things to rights. So that no more people can be shot or die young unexpectedly as happened to a close friend of a family in our Spanish service this week. So that no more people can be dishonored when they should be most honored, including the crack about Pocahontas mentioned in front of our Native American veterans. (No matter what party you are from, our elders and those who have made sacrifices should be shown respect.) So that people cannot be driven mad by domestic disputes or religious antipathies enough to kill God’s precious children. So that our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters would have power and normalcy restored faster.  So that there would not be tax cuts for the rich and more taxes for the poor. Oh, that the heavens would come to earth. Sometimes we feel “There is no one who calls on [God’s] name (Isaiah 64:7a).” Like a lone voice in the wilderness of this world.
And yet, we are reminded at this time that the heavens have paid us a visit in Jesus, and are coming again. We hear in this Sunday’s scripture that the earth and heaven will undergo a change, and that the Son of Man will come again. But that we do not know the hour. We have only to watch. And wait. The easy part J - not!
But remember, as Advent begins, that God has provided everything we need: As we hear in the first letter to the Corinthians: “in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-- just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-- so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:5-7).” Do you feel it? You have everything you need!
Now, isn’t that a wonder?
So trust… do not be overwhelmed. Pray and watch.
This week, the Living Compass practice is to clear space for wonder by setting aside our distractions.
We can see this as a way of “casting aside the works of darkness.” I do not know about you, but daily distractions for me can come from feeling overwhelmed by the news or the newsfeed on a favorite phone application. So perhaps for some of us the clearing of space and casting aside means engaging in a news fast or taking a break from our TV or smart phone. Looking at the stars a bit more, praying in a new way or at an unexpected hour, just waiting for our beloved to come home. In any case, find a way this week to clear one distraction in your life so that you can focus on God. Perhaps you can practice Sabbath time in a new way this Advent, dedicating some special time to God.
And in making space, may wonder creep in again, like the most furtive and welcome of guests. Into our hearts. This space is needed because, once we know the wisdom of the fig tree and the calm of the garden once more, we will be given our work. Jesus says that each of the servants is given his or her work. For me, cultivating a more wonder-full world also means action. Sharing love by speaking out for a good cause or giving time for a charity trying to help those in need. Being truly present to the person in front of me as I can. But let none of those tasks become a distraction either. You are invited to wonder.
As Catharine Phillips says:
We can only return ourselves
One by one by one
I see them: one over here
One over there
Watch
Do you see the glimmers
 Of return even in the words
Of leaving?
I will collect the glimmers in a basket
They will shine through the weave
Week by week by week
Until Jesus comes.[2]
You are invited to prayer. So that you can grow big enough to receive Love again, in your heart, this Christmas and always. Amen.


[2] Catharine Phillips, December 5, 2008, http://allwillbewellperiod.blogspot. com/.

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