Advent, the Master Comes
It is December 10, 2009 - the Daily Lectionary for the Episcopal Church begins today with this opening sentence...
"Watch, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning, lest he come suddenly and find you asleep." Mark 13:35, 36
Not many of us lived under the care of governesses as in the the movie "The Sound of Music" but with that reference in mind we might be able to understand the hullabaloo caused when the Lord of the house is about to come home.
For many of us our lives are consumed by the goals of work, learning, and getting through another day. We sometimes forget to retain an "eternal perspective" while we diligently focus on the present and moment and temporal world.
In this season of Advent, we celebrate the coming of the Baby Jesus, the King, Savior, and God in flesh. Jesus gives us so clear a picture of the nature of God, full of grace, authority and life. We would do well to continue our pursuit of wealth, health and wholeness and not neglect the truth shared in this passage, that 'one day Jesus will return' and we do want to be ready to join him in the feast, and celebrate his arrival with joy.
To be clear, neither our works nor words save us. We are saved by the Love of God. Our acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice, his life, teaching and Lordship allow us to begin our experience of the abundant life, the healing transformation of our souls, and a reunion with the eternal purposes of God.
Collect for today:
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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