 Advent Meditations from Bishop White Second Week of Advent
Hymn
 | | Prepare the Way, O Zion |
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12
A Meditation
A month ago I had the privilege to celebrate the Eucharist for a congregation of over forty and preach at a midweek liturgy. I confirmed five candidates, and the congregation renewed their own baptismal promises. The laying-on-of-hands and anointing with oil for healing was received by thirty people. It was a moving liturgy at which I was assisted by Deacon Rose Bogal-Allbritton and Father Matt Bradley. Together we packed up our supplies, left the recreation center where the service was held, passed through a checkpoint, signed out, received our IDs, and thanked the guards for their help. The monthly Episcopal Service at the Western Kentucky Correctional Complex provided by St. John's, Murray, was completed for November.
This is the second time I have visited. I have preached, baptized, confirmed, and offered the Eucharist. But to be very honest, the most blessed recipient at these liturgies has been me.
For example. Entering the WKCC I surrender control or at least the illusion of control, and become dependent upon others, if I am to carry out what I am supposed to do. I experience a loss of freedom and control as I walk through gates in fences that are topped with razor wire. Guards in towers and at camera monitors observe my movements. I am uneasy in unfamiliar territory, yet a sense of anticipation begins to grow because I know I will encounter Christ in the proclamation of the Gospel, the Holy Sacrament of the altar, and in the people who will join me at the liturgy.
The lessons for Advent 2 speak both of harmony, as found in Isaiah's vision of the Peaceable Kingdom, and of dissonance, the cries of John the Baptizer. John calls God's people to radically commit to God's vision, to change inside and out, as individuals and as the community of faith, if harmony, the Peaceable Kingdom, is to be created.
There are illusions of control, and places of comfort we need to leave behind. A journey, whether across a prison compound, or in my heart in this season of preparation, provides us opportunities to surrender to and trust in God. Isaiah's vision is centuries old, but has it truly been tried? Is this not the right time to trust in God so completely that our landscape is forever changed? There are chains to cast off, gates to pass through, the illusion of control to banish, and God's own work to do.
Hark, a thrilling voice is indeed sounding! Christ is nigh! Cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Then build the peaceable reign of the Lord.
Hymn
 | | Hark! a Thrilling Voice Is Sounding |
Let us pray Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. May Almighty God, by whose providence our Savior Christ came among us in great humility, sanctify you with the light of his blessing and set you free from all sin. Amen. May he whose second Coming in power and great glory we await, make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and constant in love. Amen. May you, who rejoice in the first Advent of our Redeemer, at his second Advent be rewarded with unending life. Amen. And the blessing of God Almighty, (✚) the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen. |
