Proper 28C (Luke 21:5-19)  11/14/2010

“Jesus said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’ They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’” (Lk 21:6-7) We should not be surprised that Jesus does not provide a direct answer to his followers, but instead describes a list of events that nearly every generation since the 1^st century can understand…and all too well identify as their own. Today we live in a world of post 9/11 warnings and updates of terrorist activities throughout the world. These events are not new to world history, but how they manifest themselves today is certainly new to us. There is a feeling of uncertainty that is tangible and as we draw to the end of the year, the days remaining on the calendar are running out. And when time runs out, we come face-to-face with the tough questions. Are we good enough? Have we forgiven enough? Have we loved enough? These are questions that we carry with us each and every day, but as we approach the end of the year the many questions of our lives stand squarely in front of us…and we want to break through the uncertainty that surrounds us. Like Jesus’ disciples, we find ourselves asking, what will be the signs to point us through the time of unknowing. What should we know and what can we do to be prepared.

As we now approach the end of this calendar year, we need no reminding of difficult times. The recent election season highlighted many of the challenges that we face, and chief among these issues is the slow and unsteady improvement of our economy. The uncertainty of the economy is joined by the many uncertainties of the upcoming holiday season…and we are all searching for answers. A recent New York Times article addressed the popular topic of Black Friday sales – the all important day for both holiday shoppers and retailers, when on the day after Thanksgiving the holiday shopping season begins in earnest. When the Black Friday sales idea started a few years ago, the retail stores received improved profits from the heavy shopping traffic, but shoppers were soon on to the retailers’ strategy of offering some products at deep discounts while selling many other popular items at full price. The article continues to explain that this year the sales have started much earlier and discounts are deeper and can be found on more products – all because the shopper is smarter about how to navigate the uncertainty of the holiday sales season.[i] This change to holiday sales is the product of the smart shopper and proves a certain wisdom we have learned: “buyer beware” and “a smart buyer is one that does well in tough markets.” But this advice is not the advice we hear from Jesus this morning.

After providing a list of challenges and describing the turbulent times ahead, Jesus tells his disciples, “So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none…will be able to withstand or contradict.” (Lk 21:14-15) Imagine Jesus’ advice in buying the big present or finding the store with the best sales. I am sure we all know expert shoppers who would cringe at Jesus’ apparent “do nothing” advice…but being with God is different. Being with God involves being open and present to God…and admitting we do not need to be an expert. In fact, much of our trouble today comes from times when we are quite certain we have figured out exactly what God wants from us. Like the expert shopper, our well-prepared strategies provide the details for God’s involvement in our lives. But these same strategies close out any possibility for God to guide us through the uncertainties that we experience. But if we are not expected to prepare in advance, as we hear Jesus say this morning; what is expected of us as we come to the end of this year. Jesus’ lesson to us is not an expectation of “do nothing;” there is something we can do – put our hope in God. As we come to the end of this year, we remember that our hope is centered in the return of Christ.

Joan Chittister, a Benedictine Sister and well known author, reflects on the Apostles’ Creed in her book, In Search of Belief. In her reflection on the meaning of the words, “Jesus will come again…,” Chittister writes, “[to know that Jesus shall come again] lifts our hearts above the paltriness of the things that the world teaches us to put our hopes in – riches, power, [and] people…– to the one hope that does not die. We hope not to dissolve into nothingness because God is everything. We hope not to be disappointed in life because we know that life is more than what we see. We hope not to despair in the face of decay because body and spirit are one…Human hope rises in the face of defeat and says, ‘God is, therefore so am I.’”[ii] Chittister points to the truth of our relationship with God through Christ. We do not have to become experts in what God is doing in the world; we simply need to be present to God as God acts in the world. And God will always be present to us, and through us God will act and provide the answers we need.

Black Friday may have come early this year and expert shoppers will certainly save money and find the perfect present this holiday season. But as we come to the end of this year, we prepare to meet Christ in a different way. Like a bright eyed child wandering through the biggest toy store in town, we approach the tough questions that stand before us armed not with our knowledge and expertise, but armed with the assurance that Christ will come again and as children of God we need not be afraid. As we close this year and prepare to journey through the season of Advent, draw close to God in prayer and know that in your patience you will come to know God.

AMEN