The Harshness of Advent Judgment - December 17
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49, [53]; Zech. 3:1-10; Rev. 4:1-8; Matt. 24:45-51
One of the characteristics of the Episcopal tradition is that we are confronted with the totality of Scripture. We don’t get to skip the passages that make us uncomfortable. As a preacher, I stick to the lectionary, and our daily lectionary is no different. While there are options in the Daily Office—over the past five years of writing, a writer can choose between Old Testament, New Testament, or the Psalter—I always begin with the Gospel and try to offer a reflection on it whenever I can.
And holy cow, today’s Gospel reading is intense and challenging. It’s one of Matthew’s apocalyptic passages, appropriately set in Advent as we await the return of Jesus Christ. I find myself longing for the child-in-the-manger story, and instead we get a passage that ends rather dramatically: “He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” How’s that for an Advent reading on judgment?
It’s easy to want to shy away from difficult texts like today’s reading, but the parallel Jesus draws is important. If we are waiting for the master to return—the Second Coming of Christ—then we are called to be proactive in how we care for the household, our earthly home.
I read an op-ed by John Archibald last week that raised concerns about the removal of environmental protections that could have a negative impact on the state of Alabama. He wrote something that was jarring, and I’ve been pondering it ever since. Archibald said, “Perhaps it is just easier to believe that the earth will go on, with or without our help, so we can stop caring for it until it stops caring for us. But if that is true we must admit that we are parasites, and not stewards of this place.”
I don’t believe we are parasites. Quite the opposite—I believe we are stewards. And stewardship means responsibility. We have a responsibility for how we care for the earth, how we care for the poor and marginalized in our community, and how we care for one another. We have a responsibility in the language we use and the way we work together. In the parable, Jesus says, “Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives.” Part of waiting means working together to care for all that has been entrusted to us as part of our baptismal identity. We should heed the warning when Jesus says, But if that wicked slave says to himself, “My master is delayed”, and he begins to beat his fellow-slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know.
Yes, we are waiting for the great Second Advent, when Jesus returns in glory. And yes, we have work to do. Thanks be to God for the grace to start over and begin this work anew. I believe whole heartedly that there is always grace at the end of the story, but the harshness of this reading might be a call to recognize how important this work truly is.
John+
Questions for Self-Reflections: Where in my life—or in my care for creation, community, or neighbor—am I tempted to wait passively rather than act faithfully? And where can I take a step to be more active?