"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
As we enter this season of watching and waiting, we remember that God's coming promise will bring justice and right relationship to our broken and hurting world. Our task is to be on guard, to be alert to signs of hope.
As we enter this season of watching and waiting, we remember that God's coming promise will bring justice and right relationship to our broken and hurting world. Our task is to be on guard, to be alert to signs of hope.
“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
The great turning begins with one lone voice crying out in the wilderness – change your life, you are forgiven, be aware, justice is for all. May we each become a voice for change, forgiveness, presence, and justice in our broken world. “My voice feels tiny and I’m sure so does yours. Put us all together. We’ll make a mighty roar.” - from “Resilient” by Rising Appalachia
The great turning begins with one lone voice crying out in the wilderness – change your life, you are forgiven, be aware, justice is for all. May we each become a voice for change, forgiveness, presence, and justice in our broken world. “My voice feels tiny and I’m sure so does yours. Put us all together. We’ll make a mighty roar.” - from “Resilient” by Rising Appalachia
“John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’ And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’ As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.”
Metanoia, the Greek word translated as repentance, connotes active conversion, reformation, a transformative change of heart rather than passive feelings of regret or remorse. The radical transforming John preaches manifests in non-attachment to material things and in how we treat one another – use only what you need, don’t take what’s not yours, be satisfied with what we have. Also for John, the consequences of refusing to change are suffering and loss.
Metanoia, the Greek word translated as repentance, connotes active conversion, reformation, a transformative change of heart rather than passive feelings of regret or remorse. The radical transforming John preaches manifests in non-attachment to material things and in how we treat one another – use only what you need, don’t take what’s not yours, be satisfied with what we have. Also for John, the consequences of refusing to change are suffering and loss.
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Mary’s song of rejoicing resounds throughout the ages. This is what she knew – that the incarnate promise comes into even the most ordinary of lives bringing mercy, justice, and blessing. Let us rejoice!
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Mary’s song of rejoicing resounds throughout the ages. This is what she knew – that the incarnate promise comes into even the most ordinary of lives bringing mercy, justice, and blessing. Let us rejoice!
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