Week of Peace, Day 4

On Sunday we lit the second candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents peace.

We light this candle for peace.

Below is a reflection of Matthew 11:2-6 and the "Advent Promise" that comes along with this passage.

Matthew 11:2-6 
Now when John heard in prison about the things the Christ was doing, he sent word by his disciples to Jesus, asking,  “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

 Jesus responded, “Go, report to John what you hear and see.  Those who were blind are able to see. Those who were crippled are walking. People with skin diseases are cleansed. Those who were deaf now hear. Those who were dead are raised up. The poor have good news proclaimed to them. Happy are those who don’t stumble and fall because of me.”

An Advent Promise

when the light shrinks and we gasp for daybreak
when our skin starts to shrivel for lack of water
or maybe just old age
when time-honored strategies break down
need dusting off or just hosing away
when we are doubled over with pain
at the hurt the world imposes
when no dot of light appears
at the end of endless tunnels
when all this and more piles up
the advent promise rights the tipping ship

you lack light?  did you forget about the star?
you dried up?   did you forget about the angels?
you hurting?   did you forget about the soft whispers of the shepherds?
you cynical?   did you forget about the sleeping babe?
you feeling stale?  Well, forget what you lack and anticipate the promise.
Emmanuel.  God With Us.  Miracle.  Awe.  Mystery.  Ahhh.

Oh what a relief it is.

Matthew’s Jesus is on a holy ransack of righting all that is wrong.  Blind, lame, lepers, deaf, even the dead.  Jesus says “bring it on! You cannot out-despair the good news I have to offer. ”   John the Baptist raises the question and the record is set straight.   This is not an ordinary prophet out trying to make his mark on the world.   This is different.   And verse 6 startles us awake.   Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.   Offense?   That’s just part of the package.  It’s offensive to right wrong.   Get used to it.   To sign on to the advent promise means offending people with good news that some don’t want to hear.   When that happens, move on.   There are plenty who still need to hear angel wings in the dark night.   There are plenty who are starved for miracle.   There are plenty who will stand up straight and walk out of the dark glowing with the light of Christmas morning.  Go for it.

*This reflection was written by Joy Douglas Strome. It was originally posted on http://advent2013communitydevotional.wordpress.com/.