Sunday Reflection: Staying awake, or constant awareness?

Today's reflection is brought to you by 

Matthew 24: 37-44.

As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man. Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left. Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

But know this, that if the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 

(For months with a 5th Sunday, Pastor Quinn takes a break from preaching, so this is what I shared with the Sanctuary of Peace Community this morning...)

Today is Hope Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, the season that leads us to Christmas. I love Advent, a time of hopeful waiting, and its small bits of light, one candle at a time to dispel the darkness of these winter days. The growing of the light from the Advent wreath beautifully represents the way hope grows... into peace, then joy, then full-fledged love, which is Christmas, God-with-us. 

 But in today’s gospel reading, Jesus’ words make me feel a little uneasy. I can count the 24 days of Advent, the days left before Christmas. But how many days and years are there before I meet Creator face to face? 

Uncle Rudolph

 Yesterday I drove to Saskatchewan and back for my Uncle Rudolph’s funeral. His death was a surprise to me. I expect it might have been to him, too. Saturday morning one week ago, he got ready as usual to go out to his farm land, but somehow never made it. It seems it was his time to go to God's house instead. And Jesus reminds us today that those washed away by Noah’s flood didn’t know their time was coming, either, nor can any of us guess when our time will be. Life and death are unpredictable, aren’t they? 

 But I don’t think that the end of the world or our own deaths are the only things Jesus is talking about here. Some Christians like to think he’s referring to something called The Rapture, where some people will go directly to heaven and others will stay behind because they're not good enough. A strange thought when we know that Jesus says to all of us in John’s gospel, “In my Father’s house are many rooms, and I am going to prepare a place for you there.” 

 Is Jesus warning us to be ready for the end of our lives when he says, “Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming”? Or could he also be saying, watch out because God isn’t just on the way, God is already here, right now, and with you at every moment. Watch for God always! 

 Constantly staying awake to our own lives and Creator’s presence might not be something we give much thought, but you can bet it was something Jesus did all the time. Those of us who have been enjoying Thursday Morning Movie Madness and watching The Chosen this fall have seen Jesus portrayed as one who is very plugged in to God’s presence. When he opens his eyes in the morning, before anything else happens, Jesus says something like, “Blessed are you, Creator of the Universe, for you have given me another day to open my eyes and see your goodness.” When Jesus sits down to eat, he blesses Creator for food. When he goes to sleep, he blesses Creator for giving him the day he just had. God is always on his mind, and with his spirit. 

 I'm guessing none of us have Jesus's constant awareness of God, but these are things we can all do. We just need to take the opportunities as they come. Ever think about thanking God when you see a friendly face? Or a perfect little snowflake on your sleeve? Ever chat with God when things are going well, or when they're not? Ever acknowledge God while you’re washing your face, walking through the snow, or just saying hello? 

 Jesus is our model when it comes to connecting with God. In the Gospels there are many examples of him just bursting out into prayer in all sorts of situations. He brought God into everything he did. And if we do like Jesus did, when we reach the end of our lives, we’ll have no worries because Creator is our closest friend. God won’t feel like a stranger to us if we’ve invited him into everything we are doing, saying, thinking, and feeling all along our journey. And if we invite her to use our hands and feet to do their will, even better! 

 So let’s practice. Let’s invite Creator into this moment, not that an invitation is necessary. But don’t you like to be invited into things? 

 I invite you to settle as comfortably as you can into your chair. Set your feet on the floor and straighten your back if you are able. We’re together in this Sanctuary of Peace, so close your eyes if you like. You're safe here.

 Relax your shoulders and hands, and just rest in stillness and quietness. Breathe in and out, and feel the air God gives you to keep you alive flowing in and out… Our breath is gift. 

 Imagine an empty chair facing you, and invite Creator, or Creator’s son, or Spirit, to have a seat there...

 Feel their loving gaze upon you. Rest in the warmth of their smile... 

 In your heart, speak to God about something that gave you joy this week... 

 Then share something that made you sad or angry. Notice God’s sympathetic expression... 

 Tell about the smallest thing you noticed. Does Creator nod in agreement, marveling along with you?

 Thank God for something that you appreciated. Hear God say, “You’re welcome, my beloved one.”

 God is smiling upon you, and reaches out to take your hands. How does it feel when God holds your hands? 

 As your time with God comes to a close, they say, “I love you, my child. Remember that I’m here for you, always ready to share in your life.” 

 Gently open your eyes if they were closed, and bring your awareness back to this room. 

And we’ll pray together: 

Thank you, Creator. 
Thank you, Jesus, 
Thank you, Spirit, 

 for being with me in all that I think, do, or say. 
Help me to remember that You are always with me, 

 so that I can include You,  
and share with You all the important moments in my life, 

 and even the unimportant ones. 
Bless me with an awareness of Your presence that helps others to see You, too. 
Make me a sign of Your love to others, 
 and use my hands and feet to do Your will. 

 +Amen

And thank you, Creator, for Uncle Rudy and the life of faithful and loving service he lived for family, friends and community. His warmth and kindness live on in his family -- grant them peace and consolation in their time of sorrow, and joy when they meet him again where he waits for them, likely singing with the angel choir and/or setting up a game of cards or bunnock for everyone to enjoy! 

Uncle Rudolph, I will miss you. I'm sorry that I never got your name the way you liked it best.

Love always,
Maria