IS 2:1-5
PS 122:1-2, 3-4B, 4CD-5, 6-7, 8-9
MT 8:5-11
How often do you hope/pray/dream of “Peace on Earth?”
It should be part of our constant prayers, yet if you are like me sometimes we grow weary of praying for peace when our world---our city---even our campus seems filled with conflict, hatred and discontent. “Peace on Earth” seems like a trite expression left to Christmas cards and beauty pageant contestants. We know this is God’s dream for our world yet too often Peace seems beyond our reach.
Does it even matter?!
Advent is our annual reminder that YES...our prayers do matter. When we feel weighed down by the woes of the world Isaiah and Matthew quickly remind us struggle has always been part of the human story yet is never the endpoint!
Advent is like a “reset” button...a divine reminder to be patient beyond measure. When Light seems impossible in the darkest of days, God continues to surprise us with unexpected prophets, like the Centurion in today’s reading. It’s hard to say what is more surprising---the Centurion seeking Jesus to heal his lowly servant or his humility in claiming he is not worthy before Jesus! Both actions upset the social order of the day and recognize young Jesus as more than a carpenter’s son.
It’s no accident this passage from Matthew about the military leader’s humility is paired with Isaiah’s beloved image of “Beating swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.” Both texts remind us sometimes it is the curious voice of an outsider that breaks through the darkness and sheds light in wondrous ways. Peace on Earth and goodwill to all becomes a deep, resonant hope we shall never dismiss.
Keep awake, dear ones. Our world needs ambassadors of Peace & Light now more than ever…
Rev. Rebecca Boardman serves as the Lutheran Campus Pastor (ELCA) for the St Louis Area, primarily at SLU & Washington University.
No comments:
Post a Comment