Second Thursday in Advent

Second Thursday in Advent

Isaiah 41:13-20; Psalm 145:1-4,8-13; Matthew 11:7-15

Do not fear, you worm! 

Once again we see that all things are held together in God - anger and love, initiative and response, humility and glory.

Do not fear, you little glob of earth; God is holding your right hand.  With God's help you will overcome.  Even the natural world will open to you in response to your need.  The poor and needy will be satisfied.

When, God?  When?  So many people will die today for lack of safe drinking water.  3.4 million a year, actually.  Around the globe, 780 million people lack access to safe water.  

When?  I imagine God asking us, "When will you stop blocking my abundance?  When will you share with one another, and open to the poor and needy?  When will you stop making others needy to assuage your fears?  I made you stewards.  You tell me when."

Vaclav Havel once said, "Someone has to begin."  Someone has to start the change, reach out across divides, let go of their possessions or armaments or ideas to open what has been closed.  We can't be sure our initiatives will succeed, but we can be sure that opening beyond our fears is God's will for us.  We are not called to single-handed completion of the repair of the world, but we are called to begin.  Each day is a chance to begin again.

Where will you begin today?