Weekly Liturgy : November 24-30
- Cory
- Nov 25
- 3 min read
Matthew 24:36-44
NIV
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
REFLECTION
from Cory
Some stark images to kick off the season of Advent*.
People being swept up in the flood. A random farm worker and mill worker taken. Taken where? We don’t know. And a thief in the night comes to rob a home owner.
Advent begins in the dark. Literal darkness, like that experienced by the homeowner. And figurative darkness, like that experienced by the workers.
In 1972, a film was released that promised to scare people into becoming Christians. The movie was called “A Thief in The Night.” The tagline? “It’ll scare you saved.”
The goal of the film was to get viewers to pray a prayer that would save them from eternal torment. Pass the popcorn?
Jesus did not actually use fear as a way to motivate people. In fact, there are about 365 instances in the scriptures where people are told “fear not.” Fear, writes novelist Marilynne Robinson, is not a Christian habit of mind.
When Jesus shows up on the scene, he is talking about good news. Good news for the poor and release for the prisoners and liberation for the oppressed and the year of the Lord’s favor.
Doesn’t seem all that scary.
*In the church, this is the season of Advent. Advent is the season that,
when properly understood, does not flinch from the darkness
that stalks us all in this world. Advent begins in the dark
and moves toward the light—but the season should not move
too quickly or too glibly, lest we fail to acknowledge the depth
of the darkness. Advent bids us take a fearless inventory
of the darkness: the darkness without and the darkness within.”
- Fleming Rutledge
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Fear of the unexpected can play a big role in our relationships. If we were to say something, or offer some feedback, we have no way of knowing how they will respond. What would happen if we assumed the best of others?
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
What are some ways that you use fear, manipulation, or subtle means of control in your relationships with others? What would it look like to be more transparent with them?
Pathways toward Centeredness
Enthusiasm: Praising and celebrating goodness.
Instead of just sharing a sentence or two about the things you’re thankful for at the table this week, write handwritten cards to a few people who you’ll dine with, celebrating the goodness you experience in them.
Questions for Reflection
Where has fear crept in to your heart? Sit with that and imagine the voice of God speaking the words “fear not” over you.
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
Copyright (C) 2023 Church at the Park. All rights reserved.
