November 27, 2011 Cycle B
Isaiah 63 and 64 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Psalm 80:3 Mark 13:33-37
Theme: Restoration of Hope
Today in our world people are communicating and talking with each other more frequently than at any other time in human history. There are no limitations it seems for human connection. We talk on the mobile phone, but many prefer to text. We’ll visit in homes with friends, but drop in visits are the things of another era.
If you look at a crowded room or a busy street, chances are that at least 50% or more of those people have some kind of phone in their hands and they’re texting, showing someone photos, reading emails, or listening to music. And our young people – they can carry on several conversations simultaneously. Multiple messages pop up, demanding instant responses and immediate attention. Cryptic replies are sent out at a feverish pace.
The concept of face time has taken on a whole new meaning particularly with the advent of Skype, and other computer enabled visual technologies. “Face time” no longer means sitting down face to face, looking into the eyes of another human being, and using your senses to pick up on the nuances of expression, tone and inflection. Any interaction is considered face time.
Now all of this is not bad especially when you have family members out of town, oversees, or in the Armed Services. These brief encounters on Skype help to feel connected. Grandparents see their grandchildren across the country and love staying connected in this manner. This was not possible a generation ago.
Still all of the above, not withstanding, when was the last time you had a “heart to heart” talk where there was real give and take! Can you remember a conversation that was really an exchange of feelings, emotions, or deeply held beliefs? We know that we are hardwired to be in community with one another. We yearn to be in the company of others. The irony of our modern, ultra-connected world is that we are becoming physically insulated. Endless “conversations” can take place in the seclusion of one’s home.
If our face time with one another is dwindling, our time spent one on one with God is on the endangered list. Our busy world with endless to do lists, challenges the notion of the importance of quiet time with our Creator. But Advent invites us to turn that life-- draining pattern upside down. Advent celebrates the Incarnational Word-become Flesh God. Advent announces that God was not willing to have a distant, arms length relationship with us. Advent breaks down the barriers between the Creator and the created.
God sends to us messengers in this season to deliver the Good News that He is present with us. God has a corner on this market when it comes to the best messengers. We’ll hear about Gabriel and company announcing the upcoming birth and sing their alleluias for the shepherds and anyone else who will listen.
Messaging was not enough. God did not choose to communicate through a third person. God’s desire was to deliver the Good News of mercy, love and hope in person. God chose face time in a way that would change the world. God spoke to the hearts of the people through Jesus, God’s Son.
Today Responsorial Psalm 80 lays bare our need for God’s intervention in our life. The psalmist repeats the heartfelt need of God’s children throughout this prayerful song. “Restore us, O Lord of hosts.” And our response, “Let us see your face, and we shall be saved.”
This writer is not asking for a message or a brief assurance. These are people without hope. They fear of being utterly consumed and lost. They feel alienated and alone. And they need a word of hope and assurance. Without hope, they are not only delivered and saved, they are doomed to utter despair.
The prayer of the psalmist echoes the hopeful yearning of God’s people today. “Let Your face shine upon us that we may be saved.” It is the call of people who are surrounded by technology, but are still lonely for meaningful communication. It is the cry of people who may receive hundreds of texts every day, but who still feel unheard. It is the yearning of the human heart which does not want simply to be told of love, but needs to be transformed by love and hope for nothing less.
We pray with the psalmist that the Good News of hope is indeed illuminated in this season of Advent. God’s face can shine not only in the baby Jesus, but also in the obedience of Mary, our Blessed Mother, and the willingness of Joseph, and the amazement of the shepherds, and the faithfulness of the magi. Advent is then an invitation to us to receive the gift of hope. When it is received, it is indeed our salvation.
The Good News for this dark season is that the light does continue to shine in the darkness. We can be restored by God’s grace. The darkness cannot overcome God’s light. God’s face will shine and reflect God’s mercy and forgiveness.
The answer to the plaintiff’s plea in Psalm 80 is a resounding “Yes.”
v Yes, I will give ear to your cry.
v Yes, I will come and save you.
v Yes, I will restore our relationship fractured by your faithlessness and sin.
v Yes, I will save you from neighbors who wish to destroy you.
v Yes, My hand will be upon you.
v Yes, you will know the strength of the living God.
This litany of need is answered by a refrain of assurance. This is the promise of Advent: that God’s strength meets us in the midst of our weakness. There is no place too dismal. No sin too grave. No transgression too dire to separate us from the love of God who now comes to us in Jesus.
We need God who is our hope, -in person, tangible. Not a message, not a text, not even just a star in the sky. The beautiful imagery that we sing in Psalm 80 reminds us that we want a hopeful sense that we are okay. That there’s a future. That God is with us and that there is more to life than tinsel. In this season filled with candles, stars and lights, God’s shining face is particularly poignant. Defenseless as a baby, God reflects love and invites compassion. And that is a message of hope!
Amen. Amen. Msgr. Tom Adrians, Pastor Christ the King