The Promise of New Life - June 23
Today’s Readings - AM Psalm 89:1-18; 1 Samuel 5:1-12; Acts 5:12-26; Luke 21:29-36
After a forest fire when thousands of acres have been destroyed, leaving nothing but scorched earth, it looks as though nothing will ever grow again. However, months later green shoots begin to appear and before long the damage the fire has done gives way to more light and better growing conditions. The blackened earth, void of any signs of life, births nutrient rich soil feeding new life.
Parker Palmer, in his book The Promise of Paradox, writes, “The way we respond to contradiction is crucial to our spiritual lives.” Paradox requires “both/and” instead of “either/or” thinking. This morning’s gospel reading is describing a paradox. It’s referring to what is known as the escaton or the end of time, the second coming of the Messiah.
The escaton describes a time when everything that’s familiar will disappear however, it will be the fulfillment of the Kingdom – the fullness of time when all things will be well and there will be no pain and sorrow no more. Things may seem or appear to be contrary to what we expect. It’s a both/and sort of scenario.
This can be difficult, especially today. Our culture seems more polarized or divided now than ever before, often resorting to “either/or” thinking rather than “both/and.” To embrace the paradox Jesus is describing is to take on a counter cultural way of thinking.
The Gospel is full of counter cultural ways of thinking, endorsing a life that seems at odds with what our society encourages. In Luke, for example, the infant Jesus is both a new-born baby, and a Savior, Christ the King. His death on the cross was both a humiliating defeat, and a glorious victory.
Paradox refuses to be contained within an “either/or” space but requires that we expand our thinking to include possibilities that broaden the reality that lies before us. Today’s gospel reading from Luke is known as a “little-apocalypse,” full of metaphors and symbolism and never meant to be taken literally. Part of the threat or discomfort that apocalyptic writings produce, is that they predict a time when we will experience the destruction of everything as we know it now.
Regardless of whether it’s our health, our finances or just the simple effects of aging, we will all experience a loss of control, and we’ll need to learn to live with it, or it will undo us. It will be a both/and challenge. We will lose whatever illusion of control we think we possess but we can also embrace what life offers in that moment.
Jesus doesn’t leave us without hope. The vision shared by Jesus this morning is assurance that even and maybe especially in the face of devastation—whether it’s a devastating forest fire, the result of human arrogance, or an unexpected diagnosis —there will be green shoots, the promise of new life. No matter how much it appears that the world is coming un-done, God’s way will always prevail. Be watchful and alert, prayerful and humble, trusting in God and patiently waiting for the eternal life only God can bring.
Faithfully,
Sally+
Thoughts for Reflection and Challenge - Have you ever felt as though you were going to implode under the weight of your fears or stress? Jesus will come to us not as a stranger, but as a beloved friend. How might you find ways to be present to Jesus during times of stress, fear or uncertainty? The SSEC clergy are available for suggestions on expanding your prayer life.