Already, not yet - December 13, 2024

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 31; PM Psalm 35
Isa. 7:10-25; 2 Thess. 2:13-3:5; Luke 22:14-30

In high school, I read T.H. White’s book The Once and Future King. I loved reading these stories about the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The dark and light, complex and tragic characters stuck with me. I longed for happy endings and clear lines of resolution in these sagas, but like real life, human interactions are messy. Often, grace and beauty are followed by disappointment and betrayal.

This dynamic is not far from our gospel reading appointed for today in Luke 22, in which we read of Jesus’ celebration of the Passover with the disciples. He says that he has “eagerly desired” to share this special time with his friends before hard things follow. Jesus takes a cup, gives thanks to God, and says, “Take this and divide it among yourselves…” (v. 17). He takes a loaf of bread and gives thanks to God. He breaks the bread and distributes a piece of blessed sustenance to each disciple with the words, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (v. 19) This feels beautiful and hopeful – nurture for spirit and community through blessing and shared experience.

What follows is the foretelling of brokenness – “But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table…” Jesus is not surprised, but the disciples are horrified. Then, other discord arises about who is the best disciple of all. These men get a little love in their hearts and bellies in honor and remembrance of Christ, and then they return to their normal existences. Their memories are quickly wiped clear as they turn their backs upon that sacred meal which they’ve just experienced.

Have you ever had this happen on the heels of a meaningful space of worship? Moments after leaving the church parking lot, tension wells up within us about a driver on the road, a loved one in our life, or some other entity in which there is difference or dissention. The grace of Jesus’ reconciling love is upon us, and yet it is not fully complete within us. It is here already, and not finished. This is part of the mystery and tension of the Advent season: the Messiah has come into the world already and his second coming is not yet here. The Kingdom of God has been brought into our awareness in Jesus, and that work is not yet fulfilled. Already, not yet.

Join with me as we keep praying, “O come, O come, Emmanuel!” Join me as we keep returning to God in this time when tensions run high and it feels that there is not enough time, energy, money, or faith to face all that is in front of us. Join me at church this Sunday as we ask the Holy Spirit to stir up our church and our hearts. It is a joyously risky and serious thing we do as Christians, letting the light of the Lord guide our steps. I am grateful to do this in community with you.

In Advent hope,

Katherine+

Questions for Self-Reflection and Daily Challenge:

How is your Advent spirituality meter going? Have you found a discipline that nourishes you? If so, super!  

If not, worry not. Keep showing up. God is faithful. God's work of preparing you and me is not yet complete.