Advent 1 B+ Light in the darkness + 11.29.20
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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