Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
|
|
MUSINGS
Advent is a season of expectation and hope. It is also a season of impending accompaniment. By that I mean we prepare for the Christ to come and take on our flesh and blood and live among us, full of grace and truth. His promise to be with us and stand beside us is all that we need some days to make it through them.
A week ago I was home and had a free evening. A free evening, that is, until I received an email inviting me, along with other judicatory leaders, to gather for a hastily called meeting at the Islamic Center of Rochester. The request had gone out from our Muslim brothers and sisters who were deeply concerned about the political rhetoric being freely tossed about in light of the recent attacks on the Planned Parent Hood offices in San Bernardino.
As I arrived at the Center and walked toward the doors, two members of the community welcomed me, calling me brother and pointing me to the correct door to enter. Once in the building I saw a gentleman across the room who began moving toward me, his name was Muhammed Shafiq, Executive Director in Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue at Nazareth College. I had not seen Muhammad in years but he remembered me and warmly embraced me, welcoming me profusely and thanking me for being present.
Directing me to a room where about fifteen of us finally gathered, we began in an atmosphere I can only describe as palpable with fear. My Muslim brothers were deeply concerned about what they saw, and rightly so, as a rising threat against them and their beliefs. They were so happy to have us there that they must have told us that at least a half dozen times. We talked about our solidarity with them, the fact that we would stand beside and with them and wondered about future opportunities to continue to combat the anger and outright hatred in our society.
We did not solve any big problems that evening and, in fact, little changed. What did happen, however, was that others came alongside them and assured them of companionship on this journey. About a week later, having received the letter from our Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton on the issue of Muslims as our neighbors, I forwarded it on to Muhammad stating clearly that we stood together with them and would continue to accompany them on this journey.
That, it seems to me is incarnational. That is what Advent is all about. It is why we prepare our hearts for room to receive the gift and grace of this Messiah whose birth we celebrate and whose coming we await. As he comes to us he calls us to be with others in their time of need, offering help and hope and sometimes, just sometimes, a simple presence. There are moments when silence says more than any words we might offer.
In these closing days of hope and expectation, take a moment to look around, to listen in order to hear the cries of those in need, to understand more fully those who may appear to be our enemies but, in actuality, may be the friends we have yet to meet. Be Christ's presence to and with them, no matter their faith. Simply be, sometimes, it is enough.
We are called to ponder myst'ry
And await the coming Christ,
To embody God's compassion
for each fragile human life
God is with us in our longing
To bring healing to the earth,
While we watch with joy and wonder
For the promised Savior's birth.
"Unexpected and Mysterious" ELW 258
|
