Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent 2017. Today is also
the beginning of the new Church year. For the lectionary, this is the start of
Year B which focuses mostly on the Gospel of Mark. The scriptures for Sunday
are Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, and Mark
13:24-37.
As I
spend time reflecting on the season of Advent, it is easy to get so caught up
in the busyness of the season that does little to point to Jesus. Lillian
Daniel from the Feasting on the Word states, “While the world’s busyness may
seem to be pointed toward Christmas, it is seldom pointed toward the coming
Christ child. As Advent progresses, the number of shopping days left before the
big day offers a countdown that stresses us out and keeps us up late.” Judy
Siker from the same source states, “Jesus reminds us now, as he reminded them
then, that he will come again. We need not get lost in the details. Better to
concentrate on being ready.”
For me
the key verses of the passage from Mark are found in 31-33. “Heaven and earth
will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day or hour no
one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.” How many
times so called prophets spend time trying to decipher when the end times will
be coming. How much wasted time and effort trying to figure out and to what
purpose. Jesus tells us not to waste our time on trying to predict the end
time, but rather live each day faithfully and fruitfully.
Take
time to reflect on your spiritual journey. Are you awake? Where do you spend
your time this season? Take time to slow down to focus on what gives you hope
and share that with others.
