Advent 1 B+ Light in the darkness + 11.29.20

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M. Campbell-Langdell

All Saints, Oxnard

(Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37)

Genesis told me about a meme that my father shared with her at Thanksgiving. Ringo Starr shared it, and as you will expect, it is Beatles themed- the classic Abbey road pic you may remember of the Beatles walking on a Zebra crossing, with George Harrison, Ringo Starr Paul McCartney going one direction and John Lennon going the other direction. In it, George Harrison asks John Lennon, “What happened?” and Lennon replies, “I forgot my mask...”[1]

Of course this is a humorous take on our modern predicament, but I think it also highlights a point made about the readings from today by the Rev. Dr. Courtney V. Buggs. She says that the speech of Mark 13 in which Jesus asks his disciples to remain awake during the perhaps chaotic times to come before his arrest and crucifixion, points out the dangers of falling asleep, or of not being aware of surroundings during challenging times.[2]

Well if we have ever been aware about the dangers of laxity during challenging times it is now. The mask joke is silly, but speaks to the realities of many of us. I don’t know about you all, but I have had many dreams in which I realize to my concern that I am not wearing a mask. We must be always vigilant to wear our masks, especially when in proximity to people outside of our household, and especially inside. The consequence if we do not could not only be endangerment of ourselves, but of a family member or other member of our household. That is scary stuff!

Good thing another commentator, Luis Rivera-Pagan says that the point of this passage was not to scare. It was to strengthen the disciples with the “spiritual resistance” that they would need to persevere in a world that would not always be their friend.[3]

A world that would not always be their friend. Doesn’t that sound like today’s world?

The New York Times asked its readers to send in six word messages of gratitude at Thanksgiving this year, and over 10,000 people responded. I skimmed a selection of the responses and was cheered by the humor of many of them: “Braless at home? No one cares.” And “No better excuse to avoid in-laws.” And “This stinking year is nearly over.”

But then it gets a bit heavy. We hear “I held my dying husband’s hand.” And “Held my son as he died.” To that, I thought? Gratitude? But of course I relate. As a pastor, it meant so much to me that I was able to visit Laurette as she was dying. Earlier in the pandemic I bought small containers for anointing oil in case I wouldn’t be allowed at bedsides and would have to give oil to the families or a nurse to pray alone with the person. I haven’t needed them yet, but don’t yet feel able to repurpose them. What a strange year, in which we are grateful, not because of a loss, but because we were able to experience it together when so many could not.

And of course, miracles continue to occur. True bright spots were also shared in the New York Times gratitude list, such as “Pandemic baby after years of trying.” And “At twelve weeks, size of lime.” And “Special-needs child, graduated feeding tube.” And a donated kidney, and so many more blessings, including “Falling in love 6 feet apart.”[4] Hope continues and God is not daunted by this virus. God mourns with us, but God is not daunted!

Because the good news is, Happy New Year! The church year begins today, and in it we can see hope not only for a new year, a better year to come in 2021- for a vaccine and gathering together again in the ways we are accustomed, but also for the time, we don’t know when, when Jesus will come again.
As it says in Psalm 80, “Restore us, O God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.” As we begin this new church year, and this time of Advent, let us draw close to God in prayer. In prayer for hope not only of a new year, but that our experience of this time will give us the spiritual resistance we need.

In Mark’s Gospel, they were anticipating not just Jesus’ death, but also the loss of the temple. Now we worship for a time with most of us outside of our physical temple in an effort to keep us safe. But God continues to work even through all this. As we remain faithful. And hopeful, lighting the candles of each week of Advent.

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.[5]

Let us trust that God is with us and will bring us through this dark time and to the light!

Amen.


[2] Courtney V. Buggs, “Commentary on Mark 13:24-37,” from Working Preacher, for 11/29/20, https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/first-sunday-of-advent-2/commentary-on-mark-1324-37-5.

[3] Luis N. Rivera-Pagan, “Comentario-Evangelio de San Marcos 13:24-37,” for Advent 1B, 2014, www.workingpreacher.org.

[4] David Leonard, “Gratitude in Six Words, From our Readers,” published 11/26/20, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/26/briefing/coronavirus-vaccine-trump-pardon-diego-maradona.html.

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


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