Who’s a “Yes” Man?

First Sunday in Advent, Nov. 28, 2010

The theme this week as we enter the first week of Advent is "Waiting". Those who observe the custom of lighting the Advent wreath light the first purple or blue candle, the candle that, for many people, signifies "hope". Tradition sometimes also refers to this first candle as the "prophet" candle. In keeping with that thought, today we'll check in with the Shakespeare of the Old Testament, the prophet, Isaiah. But first, why not pause and breathe a few deep breaths to center and relax. Ready?

Prayer: "Divine Love, be with us as we consider waiting and wondering how you might be reaching out to us through Isaiah's words. What would you want us to change today?"

Isaiah 2:1-5

¹The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

²In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. ³Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. ⁴He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. ⁵O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!

On the heels of the mid-term elections, it is easy to be concerned for the future of our state and of our federal government. We are in a time of partisanship that will not be overcome easily. Harsh and bitter things were said by candidates and pundits alike; the negative campaign ads flooded our airwaves. Coming into the winter of the year with the potential for more disagreements and gridlock come January, hope seems elusive.

Yet Isaiah was no stranger to political conflict. He walked the corridors of power in the kingdom of Judah, and was not a "yes man", instead speaking out to kings as well as commoners. Despite living during a time of optimism, he spoke of the folly of putting all the government's trust in military might and pagan gods rather than trusting in God. People of power didn't care to hear what he had to say.

Here's a question to take with you today as we all begin to imagine what it might be like to be a "yes-man" (or woman) to God instead of to the "kings" and pundits of our day.

As we wait for Christ's coming, how can I pay attention to God's paths today? What pagan "gods" must I set aside today in order to live a little bit more in the light?

Try sitting with the question for a moment or two and see what possibilities arise for you. When you are ready, you are invited to pray.

Closing Prayer: "God, we don't know the exact time when the peaceful kingdom will arrive. Only you know when you will completely and perfectly bring about your purpose. As we wait, help us work for peace in the world and cooperation together. Amen."

For further reading, these are the rest of today's scriptures:

• First Reading Isaiah 2:1-5
  
• Psalm Psalm 122:1-9
  
• Second Reading Romans 13:11-14
  
• Gospel Matthew 24:36-44
  

Go in peace!

Playing with Matches-Lighting the Advent Wreath for Families

The following readings are from the Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. and are offered as ideas you can incorporate if you are including children in your Advent Sunday candle lighting.

The readings are ecumenical in nature and can be used by any denomination without fear of being struck by a bolt of lightning. Just be safe with the matches. Remember, you are not on Myth Busters.

Lighting the Advent Candles with Children

This set of readings for the lighting of the Advent candles is based on texts from the Revised Common Lectionary, and is offered for general use with children, in public worship or at home. At each successive lighting of the candles, all texts from the preceding lightings are read in addition to the text introduced that day.

At the beginning of each lighting of the candles:

We give thanks for the light of Christ, shining in the lives of all God's people.

On the First Sunday of Advent, and at successive lightings:

With the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, we watch and wait for the coming of Christ who will bring light and peace to all the world. Light the first candle.

On the Second Sunday of Advent, and at successive lightings:

With John the Baptist, we cry out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord!

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Light the second candle.

On the Third Sunday of Advent, and at successive lightings:

With Mary, the mother of Jesus, we rejoice,

for the Mighty One has done great things for us.

How holy is God's name! Light the third candle.

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and at successive lightings:

With Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we tell the story of Jesus, the child of Bethlehem, who came to save us, and is coming again in glory. Light the fourth candle.

On the eve of Christmas, or on Christmas Day:

With the choirs of angels, we sing: "Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to all people on earth!" Light the center candle.

On each occasion the lighting of the candles may be concluded with the following song, to the tune "Frere Jacques":

Light of Jesus (echo: light of Jesus), show the way (show the way). Shine in us forever (shine in us forever); this we pray (this we pray).

Blessings to you and your families as we begin our Advent journey!

Advent Journey on Quicksilver Art and Spirit – a Preview

Welcome.

Beginning on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, this blogspace will be dedicated to encouraging rest and renewal for all of us uber-productive, over-extended, and busy people as we approach and experience Christmas.

The term "Advent" comes from the Latin "Adventus" which means approach, onset, or coming. It's the 4 week period that begins the new church calendar every year as we prepare for Christ's birth, and its daily observance can help us to return our focus from the rush and worry of the holiday season to the wonder and mystery of Christmas.

Amid all the demands of this season, I could use some time for quiet thoughtfulness just to help take in the miracle of God's choosing to live among us. If you're reading this, perhaps you could, too.

Hopefully, reading a scripture from the Revised Common Lectionary* each day will come to feel like a welcome break or a moment spent with an old friend. I pray it won't feel like just one more task on an already too-long "to-do" list. Each day's posting will show the references for each scripture of the day, but will only include text that supports each week's themes and each day's topic. If you want to take the time to read all of a particular day's texts, that's up to you. My intention is to make each day's post a little chance to breathe and renew.

From time to time I'll suggest an activity that might help the scripture open up a bit more or help you to move a little more deeply into it. Nothing touchy-feely here and nothing too challenging. Again, all voluntary. Give yourself permission to try new things and experiment. Think of the activities like little spiritual stocking-stuffers you can give yourself. Keep your sense of humor-it's part of what distinguishes us as being created in God's image, after all!

Finally, each day's post will conclude with a short prayer. On Sundays, you might want to use it as you light your Advent candles, if that's a part of your tradition. (Note: More on Advent wreaths as we go along, or check out the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's website http://www.elca.org and search for "Advent Wreath" for a succinct explanation.)

So, check it out beginning this Sunday; doesn't matter what time. The posting is not specific to morning, evening, or in between so feel free to make it when it's convenient to you. Comment if you like, or send me a message at dori.marshall@gmail.com if you like.

I'm looking forward to traveling together!

*For more on the Revised Common Lectionary, its member denominations, and history, here are a couple of websites you might enjoy exploring:

http://www.commontexts.org/

http://pcusa.org/

Channeling Martha Stewart

The decision was made at about 4:00 on Wednesday afternoon. We will eat Thanksgiving dinner at home, so we were one of the couples cramming the overflowing parking lot of our local supermarket during rush hour. The turkey we got is not organic, is not fresh-killed, free-range, or anything else I would've imagined. In fact, it's a regular old Norbest, and we won't even be brining it since it's already carrying a load of injected broth and seasonings. At this moment it is sitting in an ice chest in the garage, thawing. We hope.

All this because the damn Chinese restaurants are closed. Which makes me grateful to note today's New Testament reading:

John 6:25-35

[28] Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works
of God?" [29] Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you
believe in him whom he has sent." [30] So they said to him, "What sign
are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you?
What work are you performing? [31] Our ancestors ate the manna in the
wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to
eat.'" [32] Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was
not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who
gives you the true bread from heaven. [33] For the bread of God is
that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." [34]
They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." [35] Jesus said to
them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be
hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

So on the menu is turkey, sweet potatoes, corn bread & bacon dressing, peas, creamed onions, with pumpkin flan for dessert. But at the center of the feast will be the assurance that this is not the food that really gives us life. It's only the food that gets us through life.

So if you're headed out for Chinese today and are disappointed to find the restaurants closed, here are two things you might want to note:

1. It's not about the food anyway (and)
2. We have plenty. C'mon over.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Short Isn't Stupid

This Thanksgiving, I have so much for which I can be thankful. Foremost is that it is Dan's and my first Thanksgiving together as a family. Since we are basically foodies you could be forgiven for thinking that we are spending our hours leading up to the holiday debating the finer points of feast preparation. Fresh-killed turkey? Organic or conventionally raised? An heirloom species from a specialty turkey ranch? To brine or not to brine? High-temp fast roast vs. conventional roasting method? Cheesecloth covering or basting like Grandma used to do?

But, NNNNOOOOOOOO. As foodies, those discussions were all treasured parts of our courting time and shared cooking experiences together. Arriving at good conclusions together was a satisfying way of bonding. We used those talks and table times to build our relationship early on.

Today's scripture from Luke calls attention to the opportunity Jesus often used to build relationships around the table. Check it out-


Luke 19:1-10

[1] He entered Jericho and was passing through it. [2] A man was
there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. [3]
He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he
could not, because he was short in stature. [4] So he ran ahead and
climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that
way. [5] When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him,
"Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today."
[6] So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. [7] All who saw
it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who
is a sinner." [8] Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look,
half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have
defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." [9]
Then Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house,
because he too is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of Man came to
seek out and to save the lost."

Zacchaeus offered Jesus hospitality without hesitation, demonstrating that one of the ways we bond is to offer the hospitality of our company, of our time, of our attention, and sometimes of our table. It strikes me that Jesus also offered Zacchaeus a certain kind of hospitality by showing confidence in his ability to welcome him, the Son of Man, to his home and table. Zacchaeus joyfully received Jesus' company as well as his salvation.

I know that the way we live when we are lost is worlds different from the way we live once we have bonded in those most special relationships: with our lover, with our family, and most certainly with the divine. Zacchaeus certainly discovered it.

Or, to quote my Art History professor, "Short isn't stupid." So we're debating going out for Chinese on Thanksgiving and gazing into each others eyes over the dim sum. What could be better?

It Has Begun

Luke 18:18-25

[18] A certain ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to
inherit eternal life?" [19] Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me
good? No one is good but God alone. [20] You know the commandments:
'You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not
steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and
mother.'" [21] He replied, "I have kept all these since my youth."
[22] When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "There is still one thing
lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." [23] But
when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. [24] Jesus
looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to
enter the kingdom of God! [25] Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go
through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the
kingdom of God.

Yesterday was Christ the King Sunday. In the Christian year, it is the last Sunday before we transition into advent and the new year on the Christian calendar. On the secular calendar, it is the week of Thanksgiving. It is also the week of Black Friday, when the holiday shopping season traditionally begins. For many, a day of feasting and family is followed by a weekend of football and snack-inspired torpor or a marathon of consumerism.

It is no accident that this week was also chosen for the new Harry Potter movie release. Many schools are closed for the week and college students are home to visit family. Dollars flow through the box offices everywhere.

My family joined in and contributed our fair share to the ongoing success of the saga. Although we are trying to reign in our spending and teach ourselves to live more simply, an occasional movie out seems like a small indulgence.

I must say, though, it seems as if this whole ramping up to Thanksgiving and the ensuing Christmas season is more frenzied this year than in past years. Black Friday prices are already on offer at our favorite retailers. Is there more anxiety in the air because of pressure from the economy? Or is it just more noticeable because of our efforts to be more discerning about spending money in accordance with our values?

I think something Jesus may have been asking the rich young man to do was move away from the practices he had long known, which he'd done by rote all his life. Instead, the young man was asked to try looking at his world in a different way, a way that frightened and dismayed him.

The season's demand for our consumer dollars has begun. What has yet to be determined is how we will respond to that demand.

I'm counting on getting the camel to heaven by way of Bethlehem. Yes, I know I mangled the metaphor, but I'm really looking forward this year to having some moments of rest and contemplation around the scriptures rather than driving myself into a frenzy trying to make a holiday "perfect" by someone else's standards.

Prayer of the Heart

Luke 18:9-14

[9] He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves
that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: [10] "Two
men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax
collector. [11] The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus,
'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues,
adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week;
I give a tenth of all my income.' [13] But the tax collector, standing
far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast
and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' [14] I tell you, this
man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who
exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will
be exalted."

This passage from our Lectionary reading today reminds me of the "Jesus Prayer", also known as the "Prayer of the Heart". It is said to have originated in Eastern tradition by a Christian pilgrim on the journey of a lifetime to the Holy City, Jerusalem. Whether created as a rhythmic accompaniment to his plodding footsteps or to lend strength and cadence to his measured breathing, it certainly seems to have been inspired by the divine.

Perhaps in its most simple form it is, today, the most sublime for the postmodern Christian:

"Jesus Christ, Son of God
Have mercy on me, a sinner."

I have learned that the lines of the prayer can be repeated silently according to the rhythm of the inflowing and outflowing of the breath. It is particularly grounding in the context of daily prayer, reminding us of prayer's purest essentials.

The sinner in the passage we just saw needs his Creator, and his Redeemer. The Spirit prompts him to recall that his great need dictates the simplest possible prayer.

We will enter the season of Advent one week from this coming Sunday. Many people, myself included, wonder how during this restless and busy season, we will have time to rest in communion with the Holy Love. Perhaps if we recall the humble pilgrim, and the repentant sinner in the back of the temple, we can pray the simple prayer and be comforted.

"Jesus Christ, Son of God,
Have mercy on me."


You are invited to be a part of the pilgrimage through Advent. Join me every day on this site beginning November 28 for a few minutes of sacred space and time to reflect on daily scripture readings from the Common Lectionary as we approach Christmas, its lovely mystery, and the opportunity it gives us for renewal and spiritual refreshment.