Love God. Live the Eucharist.

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December 22, 2024: The Visitation

with Molly Weyrens, Pastoral Associate 

There are times when I use my voice texting that the wrong message appears.  Sometimes it’s way off, like when I texted to someone that I had gotten married the day before!  And sometimes something comes out that actually lends itself to some pondering… for instance parishioners usually comes out as prisoners…. Not sure what that one means!  But last week when I was saying “ Advent” Siri came up with ADVENTURE….. Hmmm….  

 

So fitting!  For Advent is an ADVENTURE!  The past four weeks have been nothing but extraordinary  proclamations about the Messiah coming and interesting characters in the story of our salvation such as Zechariah and Elizabeth , the angel Gabriel and of course Mary and Joseph.   

 

The first Sunday we heard about being on guard and being aware of what is happening around us to not miss the Messiah… then we have John the Baptist proclaiming “ Prepare the Way of the Lord.”  Curvy roads will be made straight, mountains and hills made low and rough places smooth SO THAT people can get to Jesus.  

 

The voice of the prophet Isaiah speaks of the wolf and the lamb – lying down together.  Imagine you and the person you least like in your life sitting down for dinner…. Sound impossible?  Isaiah says NO! 

 

And today the prophet Micah says YOU in Bethlehem – you too small and unimportant – from YOU shall come the RULER of Israel.  Not just another prophet, but the RULER! And we haven’t even gotten to the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that will carry God’s son, that Zechariah and Elizabeth are pregnant with John the Baptist, that Joseph wants to divorce Mary because it’s just too much and then an angel appears to him to say “Do Not Be Afraid.”  What an adventure, indeed!   

 

Most of us have seen the bumper sticker that says, “ If you not angry, you’re not paying attention.”   I would say an Advent one would read – “ If you aren’t filled with hope, you aren’t paying attention.”  These stories are what inspire and nudge us to be Christ- Bearers in the world.  

 

And boy, could our world use more Christ -  bearers… and that’s for all of us whether you are 13 and in middle school, 47 and trying to keep your head above water with family and other responsibilities or 79 and pondering what the next quarter of your life might look like.  EVERYONE is called to bring Christ into the world.  We’ve had 3 weeks to ponder ------ if you haven’t thought about this, now’s your time!  And of course we know that we live the story of HOPE all year long, but we know sometimes we need to be more intentional about practicing hope. That’s why we have liturgical seasons to remind us of our callings. 

 

It’s been a year with too much violence, too many slammed doors, too little mercy  - and words and actions by leaders – and perhaps those close to us - that cut deep with no consequences.  A friend called last week and said that she might not send out Christmas cards this year because it’s hard to send out the Peace on Earth and Joy to the World message.  To her credit she also added… though maybe that’s a reason to send out those messages so we don’t forget them.   

 

The story today we call the VISITATION.  Mary goes in haste – another translation says haste means “ thoughtfully.”  She traveled about 100 miles to get to Elizabeth and Zechariah’s house.  No small journey – especially if you are pregnant.  So what awaited Mary must have been very special for her to go to such lengths to be with Elizabeth.   

 

A lot of what we have heard during the weeks of Advent is that the prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures are being fulfilled.  John the Baptist leaps in the womb of Elizabeth upon being in the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb.  Some say that this is reminiscent of when King David danced in front of the Ark of the Covenant – the holy box – that contained the tablets of the 10 commandments.  Word meets word.  Flesh meets flesh.  Holy Spirit meets Holy Spirit.   

 

Imagine the joy that was present among these two women.  Imagine the stories that were shared, the support that they gave one another.  Two strong women carrying two strong men.  They entered into this UNKNOWN time with hope and trust.   

 

How do we enter into our times of fear? Of messiness?  How do we bring Christ into the world by how we live our lives?  Do we sit here and listen and pray and then go on just like before?  The Eucharist is meant to transform us into action.  Some will say don’t talk in church about the tough issues of the day like racism, immigration, impending deportations, homelessness, lack of food and all the violence that is going on.   

 

But our God says, No.  My son came to suffer and die so that his followers might carry on his mission of service and compassion and justice.  It’s going to be messy.  But remember, my son, YOUR Savior was born amidst hay and straw and animals.  Don’t talk to me about messy.  Messy is where abundant grace lies.  Messy is where you need to go.  I am in the Mess.  I am Emmanuel.  I am with you.    

 

One of my favorite writers, Laura Fanucci recently wrote…  

 

We need Advent to remind us. You cannot buy this kind of  love, cannot grab forgiveness on sale in stores, cannot ship wisdom by Saturday. You have to put down the screens, the striving,  the selfishness and the scrappy fear. You have to figure out how to hope.  How to trust and how to bring God through Jesus Christ to those around you.   

 

Now THAT’s an Adventure worth taking.   

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