Back at the beginning, John said ” prepare for the kingdom of Heaven, is at hand.
In other words be ready for heaven’s kingdom is on the way!
People were asked to repent – change your mind and turn to God.
Here we have the first Sunday of Advent – the beginning of the New Christian Year, which leads us to Christmas.
How are we to respond – for many people it is a complex time? But even long before Jesus was born, Isaiah encouraged us to draw away from all the flurry and take time to listen, pray and long for the vision of the Kingdom of God, for each of us.
The Adult Jesus we encounter in Mark was a busy person – but he
still had a need to find a quiet space to experience silence.
Using times of silence gives an opportunity to have deep and life giving connections with the Divine God and our inner being.
What kind of king was Jesus?
A king who is also a shepherd who knows us, loves and forgives us.
A king who walked dusty roads, served with a towel and a bowl.
A ruler who sees us as his children and walks with us in joys and sorrows.
St Francis of Assisi talked about “always living at the bottom of society, as only there can we really experience the truth.
If we love the poor – the poor one around us and within us – we will increase our compassion for, and act against, injustice”.
Being wise – as opposed to being foolish. Being prepared – as opposed to trusting our luck.
Macro view is having everything in order and just waiting for the time of the return of Christ;
Micro view is being prepared for the daily coming of the Spirit into our lives, drawing closer to God;
and those around us, focusing on the here and now to prepare for the future.
Journeying in our world today requires humility.
The falseness of those who do not ‘practice what they preach’ is not tolerated.
Jesus requires us to love mercy and to walk humbly with God as His followers.
For Antoni Gaudi, the visionary who designed the La Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona, love is not enough.
Technique alone was insufficient, to do things right, he needed love and technique. We are called not just to love but understand the work in which we engage. Cultivate intentional practices that cultivate love for God and love for God’s people.
Paying taxes to Caesar is thought to be a perfect trap for Jesus. The Jews had their own money but for taxes, they had to pay in Roman money – effaced with Caesar’s image. Here Matthew provides insight into the nature and brilliance of Jesus and His purpose.
Jesus calls us to look beyond what our human concerns expect….
We hear some uncomfortable messages this week. Aaron built a golden calf when he replied to the demands of the people. When the church gets anxious, it creates golden calves. It looses celebration and festivity, trying to save itself. Paul encourages us to not be anxious but with prayer and thanksgiving make our requests known.
