Reflection on Third Sunday of Advent:
Rejoice and Prepare
by the Rev.
Margaret W. Thomas
Activity and choice, meditation and forgiveness, cleansing and
baptismal murmurings, water and words: these all are open to those
who seek new life in change. What must one do? Ask the question
of one’s self. What is bearing down? What is literally, killing
one? What is shriveling one? What prevents the new sprouts that
are watered, from bursting forth as in spring with new leaves?
Choose one for now to address in this Advent time. With God’s
good grace and joy things may be changed. “Truth shall spring
up from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
There is great hope.” (Psalm 85: v11, NRSV)
Clean the garage, the closet, the refrigerator. Clean our hearts,
and souls. Take the stuff not often used to the Goodwill or the
Salvation Army. Give away something you prize, that is the Native
American way. Give off the heart, not off the the abundance. Write
one good letter that you have postponed. Make one procrastinated
phone call. Now make the hated ones too while you have practiced.
Truth and earth are one. The roots of ourselves are nurtured
or not in the oozy goozy moistness and abundance of our personal
compost. If stirred and given away as a gift of moist richness,
there will be more space and new forms may emerge.
Awareness of our earth issues, both literal, global, and personal
will effect our ability to nurture and support sustainability
for ourselves and others. We will recognize the pain and need
of our neighbors. We will know for sure that what effects them
effects us, just as we recognize that in our families and close
friends. God may bring us grace, and be also able to rejoice with
us as we love each other more.
What one thing can we create for each of our loved ones this
year that will cost nothing? How can we be truly original, of
our origins, of our earthiness, our own creation, just for the
joy of it?
The
Rev. Margaret W. Thomas was the Rector of St. Edward
the Confessor Episcopal Church, Duluth, MN, when she wrote
this reflection in 2003. Margaret and we welcome
your comments. Please address your comments or additional
reflections to Margaret
W. Thomas or any MEESC
member, or mail them to:
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This page last
updated 2006-12-20.
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